My Vet emailed me the night before to tell me to braid Apache's mane so the lavage tubing would have something to attach to. It was a very good thing I checked my email before I went to bed.
Still, the braiding was a rush job in the morning to get it done before the Vet arrived. Apache looked like Pippi Longstocking and she really didn't care for the braids smacking her neck every time she shook her head.
But we were ready for the Vet when he arrived. And after sedating her and getting an area set up beside my garage, he got to work.
And this is where I must admit that I am a weenie when it comes to needles and blood. And I really think that all Vets should have an assistant and not expect the horse owner/animal owner to be the medical assistant. And if they do, they should probably give the animal owner a huge discount because it's not only hard physical work, but it's also very emotionally draining.
I had to hold up Apache's head and keep her still while trying to avoid watching the Vet poke large trochar needles into my mare's face and eye lid, all while having blood drip down my hands and arm. I felt lightheaded and nauseous during most of the entire experience and I could not wait for it to be over.
The Vet also stitched Apache's right eye closed so as to help keep the medicines inside the eye and to hopefully keep out debris and bacteria.
The entire process just made me feel like I was dying inside. Watching my sweet mare suffering and in pain while enduring all our poking and prodding, even though well intentioned, was heartbreaking
Apache was very cooperative throughout the procedure and afterwards as well. But even though the ocular lavage system surgery was a success, the entire post-experience involving the lavage system certainly was not.
To Be Continued......
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