Aggie Update

[NoahG]

Hello Everyone,
After a trip to San Luis Rey Equine Hospital and several thousands of dollars in bills later, we found Aggie's problem. She had an infected tooth. They found it on CT scan and the infection had spread to almost all of her head sinuses. The tooth was removed, and after a long round of intense antibiotics and a reinfected socket that had to heal... Aggie is a completely different horse.

Her rapid breathing that baffled the vet and was chalked up to asthma has disappeared. There's a new sparkle in her eyes. She's friendly with EVERYBODY, and I even took her to a party at the barn and Aggie walked happily into a circle of people to say hello to every single one. She is friendly with me, and whinnies loudly every time she sees me. She's living a life that is pain free, and the surgeon mini specialist at San Luis Rey guessed the tooth had been infected for at least THREE YEARS. I am so happy and thankful she's feeling better.

Also, her best friend Winston is great. He's grown a little more and has put on more muscle. He got to go to San Luis Rey with Aggie and was by her side throughout recovery.

Three weeks of fire academy left and I can finally get back to seeing them regularly and not once every month or so when I get a break.

Thank you everyone for helping me throughout me and my minis' journey.

--Noah

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I always worry that miniature horses aren't getting the dental care they need. I got an older mare several years ago. One of the first things I always do when I get a new horse is have its teeth checked. She had points in the back extending into her sinus. I think about how much discomfort she was for so long.
So glad you were able to finally get to the "root" of Aggie's problem! Kudos to you for being so good to her. I know that vet bill can be a heavy load.

 

[NoahG]

I call her my 5 grand pony. That's how much roughly I've spent on her in vet bills. Another 1.5k has gone to Winston and his previous dental problems with his dwarf underbite.

 

[LostandFound]

I'm so happy they finally figured it out! But ouch, I feel bad for your wallet. These little guys sure can be expensive to fix.

 

[Dragon Hill]

How fantastic she is pain free and no longer having breathing issues. She was so lucky to have found you, and that you were willing and able to take such good care of her.

 

[MaryFlora]

That is quite a journey for you all and wonderful news! Aggie must love being able to whinny at you and be the belle of the ball! Winston certainly deserves extra hugs (treats ) for being such a good care taker.

I’m sorry about the finances, no matter how worthwhile they can be hard to handle.

Congratulations on nearing the finish line in fire academy! Thank you for your commitment to serve!

 

[HersheyMint]

So glad the problem is corrected What a journey for you both

 

[Cayuse]

Glad to hear Aggie is better! Can I ask how they removed the tooth? My mini had one removed in March and they had to drill a hole, go into the sinus and push the tooth down and out, then put a drain in the sinus to flush it for 3 days.

 

[NoahG]

I am humbled and overwhelmed by all of the support from all of you. Thank you all so very much!

 

[NoahG]

Glad to hear Aggie is better! Can I ask how they removed the tooth? My mini had one removed in March and they had to drill a hole, go into the sinus and push the tooth down and out, then put a drain in the sinus to flush it for 3 days.

Fortunately that was not necessary. The tooth practically fell out first try with forceps. Apparently it was one of the worst looking and smelling teeth the vet had ever seen. He didn't even want to risk saving it for me to see, he took a picture and immediately discarded it. Sinuses flushed on their own.

 

[NoahG]

That is quite a journey for you all and wonderful news! Aggie must love being able to whinny at you and be the belle of the ball! Winston certainly deserves extra hugs (treats ) for being such a good care taker.

I’m sorry about the finances, no matter how worthwhile they can be hard to handle.

Congratulations on nearing the finish line in fire academy! Thank you for your commitment to serve!

Aggie is the biggest little diva, and she knows it. She flirts with any gelding willing to give her attention. So far she's 'claimed' her 17 hand jumper neighbor, a BLM Mustang who is now the sweetest boy, and a little burro. She flirts with them all without shame.

 

[DB Minis]

This is an incredibly heartwarming story, so many behavioral issues or personality quirks can be traced to pain. We think they are good at hiding pain but they often express their pain, just in ways we are not familiar with.

This is well timed too, I have had some concerns with my yearling possibly having a dental problem and your experience with Aggie has inspired me to look into this further. Even if it turns out to be nothing, it is money well spent to know they are not experiencing pain. That was the best money you could have ever spent to make Aggie happy again.

And a shout-out to Winston for being a great friend for Aggie during her healing. He has the most adorable heart-shaped blaze!

 

[NoahG]

This is an incredibly heartwarming story, so many behavioral issues or personality quirks can be traced to pain. We think they are good at hiding pain but they often express their pain, just in ways we are not familiar with.

This is well timed too, I have had some concerns with my yearling possibly having a dental problem and your experience with Aggie has inspired me to look into this further. Even if it turns out to be nothing, it is money well spent to know they are not experiencing pain. That was the best money you could have ever spent to make Aggie happy again.

And a shout-out to Winston for being a great friend for Aggie during her healing. He has the most adorable heart-shaped blaze!

Thank you so much. I had been chasing the issue since I got her, so over 1½ years. It means the world to me to see her so happy. Best of luck with your little one. I agree people claim they hide the pain, but if you listen to them you can see when they're telling you.