My donkey's still not better

My donkey has what the Vet thinks is laminitis.  We brought the donkey, Shrek, home from the Vet's and are supposed to give him powdered Bute mixed with his feed.  He hates the taste.  Does anybody know what Bute is or how we can get our donkey to take it?  Thanks for any help you can offer....we don't want to lose him.  We think what caused this is he foundered on Mesquite beans.  Not much grass here in central Tx right now.  We had no idea he was getting into the Mesquite beans or what problems could ensue.

[Jade59]

Here Linda, check out this site for tips from others on how to get this med down.  I figured if we could syringe meds to our cats, you could syringe to a donkey!  Best of luck!♥

http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/18823.html

[Jade59]

Here Linda, check out this site for tips from others on how to get this med down.  I figured if we could syringe meds to our cats, you could syringe to a donkey!  Best of luck!♥

http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/18823.html

[LindaTX]

Thank you so much, Jade.  There are a lot of tips and we're going to try mixing the Bute with some applesauce which I happen to have in the fridge right now.  That is a wonderful link.  Thanks again!

[Jade59]

No problem!  Fingers crossed!!

[LindaTX]

So far so good.....last night the kids came over with Chinese take-out and my husband mixed sweet & sour sauce in the syringe with the powder and it worked like a charm.  No more sweet & sour... so tonight he's trying pudding.  We'll see!

[Jade59]

Linda, I'm just now seeing this and that's Great news!  Now that you're getting the med in him, hopefully it's just a matter of time before you begin to see an improvement.  Maybe even by now since you posted yesterday.  Sending healing thoughts.  

[LindaTX]

He seemed to want to lay around a lot yesterday.  He did get up this morning and is still on his feet as I write this.  The pudding also worked great in the syringe.  Thanks for the healing thoughts, Jade

[Jade59]

Hi Linda, is Shrek responding to his meds?  Any improvement at all?  

[LindaTX]

Hi Jade, yes he seems to be getting a little better.  He loved the applesauce with the Bute. The Vet had us pick up another antibiotic in the form of 2 shots.  He seems to be walking a little better but he has scrapes on his side and side of his head where he has laid down so much.  It's a slow recovery but with a little luck, he'll make it.  I just feel so bad for him because I know he is hurting.  Thanks for caring ♥

[Jade59]

Well, hey, a "little better" is good considering how ill he was and really, he's only been getting the Bute down for a few days, right?  Now with the additional antib shots on top of it, maybe a significant turnaround in another few days.  Do you spray him to cool him down...or is that a silly question.  All I know about horses is it's very bad if they want to lie down.  SO hard seeing an animal suffer in any way, I know, Linda.  Hopefully he'll stay on his feet more the better he feels.  I'm sure the heat isn't helping anything.  

Prayers continuing.  I'll be checking this post for updates.  Sending Hugs!

[Jade59]

Hey Linda, after almost a week since your last post, how is Shrek doing?  

[LindaTX]

Hi Jade, sorry, I thought I had posted on here...I was sure I had.  Anyway, he is still getting better.  We had to go out of town overnight for baseball state play-offs for our grandson so we took him back to the Vet's to board him and give him his Bute. My husband wants him to stay there until he can get up on his own without prodding him.  We went by to see him and he looks pretty good and was standing ok.  We will probably go get him this weekend. You are right about the heat...it's unrelenting!  At the Vet's Shrek has his own pen with access to the outside corral.  So he has a good environment...but it's still so hot!  Poor baby!

[Jade59]

Thanks for the update, Linda.  Continued boarding also gives you guys something of a break from the worry, administering meds, etc. since you know he's in capable hands.  It's very nerve wracking taking care of a sick animal...any animal.  I'm just happy to hear he seems to be recovering.  

Hugs!♥

[LindaTX]

We're going to check on him again tomorrow.  If he is not ready to come home, we will leave him there until he is.  We have to go to LV on the 7th for 4 days so we may leave him at the Vet's through then.  Surely by then he'll be back on his feet.  I know he and our horse, Chester miss each other.  I take him treats when I go to the Vet's to visit...he likes either carrots or apples. This kind of thing just takes a long time to get over...and we're assuming he will get over it.  Thanks for being there for me. ♥U

[Jade59]

I hope Shrek was well enough to come home today!  If not, he's in the right place.  

Hugs, hugs and more hugs!!  Love you too and so sorry for all you're going through right now!