when to put an arthritic horse down

When the horse is euthanized, death will be quick and painless. He has developed horrible hock sores on both hocks. The prophylactic effect of Legend has been studied in racehorses. Currently, there are more than 80 supplements formulated to support equine joint health on the market. The injection consists of an overdose of anaesthetic drugs which causes the horse to gradually collapse, experiencing a rapid loss of consciousness followed by cardiovascular arrest. What does it mean when a horses tongue hangs out? Clinical trials have shown that firocoxib is as effective as bute in reducing lameness associated with arthritis and it may facilitate greater improvement in some areas, such as range of motion. 38-caliber or larger handgun will be more reliable, as will large caliber rifles. You might have got the idea from the above questions as well but to be more clear, the horses that have been affected by . Please call contour 34 trimaran to schedule an appointment. our other horses, all except his buddy the NSH. Paramedics were unable to save the 28-year-old victim . Have your veterinarian conduct a thorough lameness exam when you start to notice changes in soundness to ensure youre dealing with OA and not a more acute condition that requires a different treatment approach. front and back. Love never ends. He has done his best for you. Youll never lose the great love and memories he gave you. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Two authorities on older horse care share tips for conditioning horses with osteoarthritis. Your horse so dreads the pain and struggle of getting up that he stands holding his weight in the front long enough that his legs shake with the stress. This is a painful, advanced case of osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease. Choose appropriate footing. Furthermore, a diet made up mostly of fresh grass is the healthiest, most anti-inflammatory diet a horse could have. He came back to us full timr in November of 2012. The horse becomes anesthetized (and therefore unconscious) to such a degree that its heart stops beating and death follows. Thank you for sharing your thoughts both sentimental and logical. I am sick about this but have chosen to have him humanely put down next week. I think about the decision that I will have to make, and the call I will have to make to my daughter, but for now she is still happy being the queen of the barn. Researchers are constantly learning new things about horses and their care and management. When I got him to ride trails their vet told me wed have several good years but its not been so. Horses with affected joints might suffer a flare-up after playing out at pasture or slipping, leading to a swollen joint and obvious lameness, she says. Helped me decide what is best for him to allow him to leave this world in a proud manner not in severe pain in his stall one night. Lethal injection with a barbiturate, typically pentobarbital, is the method most commonly employed by veterinarians in the United States. The most common way to euthanize a horse is a lethal injection. When and how do veterinarians evaluate horses lower airways? A typical ration for a 1000 lb horse might consist of free access to top quality hay, preferably a straight grass or grass/alfalfa mix or pasture, plus 2 to 8 lbs of a feed designed for old horses, plus free choice water and salt. Can anyone give me any thoughts? But its best to catch it in its earliest stages, before much damage has been done. Because your stallion has issues with his ability to chew coarse forage (pasture, hay, cubes), whether it is from tooth loss, arthritis in his jaw, or both, the best alternative forage you can offer him would be hay pellets (alfalfa (lucerne), grass, or mixed) that are softened into a mash. One was born here and the other was my dads horse who past away 5 yrs ago. He is my best friend. But if a horse is laminitic and/or arthritic, turning him out on pasture (with grazing) might be unsuitable for the horse and contribute more to his lameness and discomfort. I did not want him to leave in a crises, for his sake and for my own. Trust that relationship, and trust yourself in making the decision. While manufacturers havent always had research to back up their product claims, more are having independent clinical studies conducted on their supplements. He has DSLD. I was lucky enough to have my own place to retire him to when a severe knee injury left him unridable at age 15. Laying for long hours will disrupt the blood flow to the vital organs and as a result, the organs might get damaged. Equine euthanasia is most often accomplished by injection of a death- inducing drug. My heart is with you. A much better ending for EVERYONE that way. That will give you facts to work from. He cant run, snort, or rear in turnout like he did for so many years. I waited another three months, more complications, swelling in his sheath, and stomach, his insulin was up to 116, (very high) I made the decision on my own, it is time. This is often followed by a period of relaxation and kicking or paddling movements. He does take enjoyment in some things, like eating and laying down/rolling. Sometimes it is more difficult to decide what is best when others weigh in on the decision: co-owner, child, veterinarianeach person has their own view of that point where a horse no longer is comfortable. I will euthanize her tomorrow; you have made this awful decision manageable, although the pain of the decision for me is devastating. Wow, make me cry. While on the ground the horse's legs may move and the horse may . Debilitation of old age. Thank you, Cherry, for a rational approach to this impossible question. I miss him still but I know I made a humane decision and am at peace. Decision made today as I watched her drop down like a sack of potatoes to roll, enjoy the roll, but then struggle and struggle to get up, becoming more panicky by the moment. He was a very proud horse always so full of energy, he was my life for 21 years, he was 30 years old.When his insulin continued to go up I knew it was time. Has lost her sparkle and her legs I know will get worse eecially in the winter . Neither one will ever be able to ride or work of any kind, weve been through the corrective shoeing and all kinds of management . I know in my heart I am doing whats right for him. He hasnt had colic for 9 months now, but he devastatingly colicked 3-4 times a year for a long time. He lives in soft ride boots, but I had a farrier about a year ago take them off cold turkey. I had to put my mare, age 32 down a month ago. However, when a horse lies down for too long, it is actually quite dangerous! In the advanced stage of illness (septic shock), the body becomes overwhelmed. Therefore, it's important to be in a position to spot the problem before it becomes a serious problem. I want to send her over the bridge to meet Joe and so many others before I MUST. Ive ridden for 50 yrs and never faced this. Confused, Put down or destroyed???? Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAGs) and related polysaccharides are, like HA, among the naturally occurring compounds found in the articular cartilage matrix. The buildup of inflammatory enzymes further breaks down the synovial fluid, which leads to more damage to the cartilage. now as we plan to move, but that may be put off for another year. Regardless of the method chosen, human and animal safety, logistics and verification of death are critical considerations. On March 8th 2014, I made an appointment to have it done. They loved his temperament and wanted him to enjoy life calmly for a few months so they brought him to me. The situation can change rapidly." Ideally, having at least three to. You cant stand the thought of putting him down. It is very hard to watch, as a nurse, I cant fix him. Set your emotions aside and focus on your horse's comfort and quality of life. I bought him as a 3yr old off the track and we have had many adventures together. We must give them a gentle death while we still have the power to do so. Just prepare yourself for the humungiss loss! It has also been found to aid in digestion and support respiratory health; and Boswellia can also be beneficial for horses with laminitis. Even with his injury he was a lot better in approximately 3 weeks. I know it was the most humane thing to do for Sunny, he is free with no pain, running and bucking, rolling, and snorting like he did for so long!! And then he looked at me and we had this intense moment of understanding. Our vet hasnt really mentioned it, but said that eventually Affected horses are usually depressed and have a decreased appetite. In one study, ESWT-treated horses showed significant improvement in clinical lameness as well as in the concentrations of certain biochemical markers of the disease. Being able to move around freely provides natural exercise at the horse's own pace. Stiffness - In the early stages of arthritis many horses will appear to be stiff as they walk. They grieve and, As far as we can tell at this point, they come to some realization of death, Crowell-Davis says. One of the biggest fears for horse owners is, "How will I know when it's time?" You'll know when the horse's suffering is too great, when he's depressed and has lost the will to live. Had my 31 year old gelding euthanized last week. Euthanasia is a highly difficult and emotionally wrought decision; however, it is an often necessary medical option available for horses with chronic pain and hopeless medical conditions. How to remove a locking wheel nut with spinning collar, Equine Reproduction From Conception to Birth, Trainer Bob Baffert Wont Be at the Kentucky Derby, but Racing Still Cant Shake Him, Learn Which Three Sports are Contested By Olympic Equestrians. Older, arthritic horses are often stiff under saddle during the winter months, taking longer to warm up at the beginning of a ride. Retired horses are also usually the ones that also need the most care. Occasionally the horse may take 2-3 gasps of breath following collapse and loss of consciousness. I have to be careful about him walking where there might be mud now as he has had mud fever on the ankle of his injured leg on and off for the past 3 years. Sometimes find new homes with someone willing to provide them with care and attention and/or redirect them to second equine careers. What is the most humane way to put a horse down? And anything more than 4 or 5 hours is not a good thing as far as their health is considered. Causes of Arthritis I have a relatively young mare (14) who seems to have irrevocably hurt her back, and after stints at Colorado State University and months of physical therapy and other therapies, including steroids and non-traditional treatments like acupuncture and others, I have come to the conclusion that she will not ever be able to live without significant pain. Yes for years I have been trying to keep him going.. Being out to pasture is the best thing for an older, arthritic horse. Find a place to put the horse out to pasture, never to interact with a human again. The joints most often affected by arthritis include the knee, fetlock, coffin, hock, and pastern . PSGAGs have been used in both intra-articular and intramuscular injections. It might just take a little more care and planning to keep him healthy, happy, and comfortable. Can a horse with arthritis still be ridden? But I dont know how to do this !,,,,,, he acts normal , other than I did notice hes letting the lower end of the pecking order heard him , I moved him when I seen that ! Finally, keep realistic expectations about exercise levels, and remember that OA will progress over time. I hope something Ive said has been helpful and I welcome further discussion on the topic. Love him enough to think about what is best for him. With the pecking order changing should I take that as a sighn ?? They may not be able to keep up with younger horses with whom they are kept. find my answer to this one. The big question is, How well do we perceive it in our horses? If you determine the horse is sore, you can decrease inflammation and get a more normal cellular environment. Foals born with serious defects. Take a wad of intricately laced cotton, put it in water, and it will soak it up like a sponge. I put mine out in a feeder on a sunny day but I don't leave it out there because it gets wrecked in the rain. We recommend light work as long as it is in the horses comfort zone, says Brosnahan. What does nutrition have to do with OA? You know your horse better than anyone else. daniel craig costner images; tecken p terfall utbrndhet; devil's ferry who will pay the toll give a coin to the boatman or he will steal your soul Navicular disease in horses is a perfect example. In a horse that has cartilage damage or has had surgery, Ill more likely use polysulfated glycosaminoglycans.. I rode other horses, I love horses! The question is: Is he ready to be relieved of pain? Keep senior horses up-to-date on vaccines and deworming to prevent infection. The number one killer of horses is colic. The resulting serum, called autologous conditioned serum (ACS), is then injected into the same horses inflamed joints in three treatments once a week. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored. With a Id hoped that he could spend his final days in a more idyllic situation. We have an older appy gelding who was given to us. Im just writing this to get an opinion from you. As she has been such a gorgeous mare so kind and loving I feel I should let her go before it gets worse and dont think she would be upto moving as this would cause her more stress . It didnt work. For early OA, the older horse may appear to stiffen up if stabled overnight but then seem sound later in the day or (might act) cheeky for the farrier when they are normally well-behaved, indicating they feel discomfort when flexing a limb or being asked to weight-bear just on one limb, Jarvis says. How long can a horse be down before it dies? The horse will die instantly, fall to the ground with its legs extended and a significant amount of blood may pour from the nose. He is getting red cell, kalm utra 12% on both fat and protein, alfalfa pellets, oats, and two cups of vegitable oil daily in the amount of 20 lbs of this a day in mash, plus all the hay and grass he wants. A Cascade Effect A horses knees, hocks and pasterns are designed to flex, compress and extend hundreds or thousands of times each day, for years on endall while supporting his weight and enduring concussive forces. It has been injected directly into the arthritic joints of horses since the 1970s, and an intravenous injection (Legend) has been available since the 1980s. Most horses will consume 2% of their body weight in hay a day. He won basically on 3 legs. If you own your own land, burial may be an option for you. There was nothing I did to cause it, nor anything anyone could do to relieve it. There was no question that even with pain meds and special shoes he was barely able to walk. He was so good, even gimpy.and when he tore the tendon, just survived through it with spunk and good attitude and bute for 2 mos. And anything more than 4 or 5 hours is not a good thing as far as their health is considered. Thanks. Yucca Saponin is an herb that is used to support joint health and comfort in older horses or any horse experiencing stiffness and discomfort. Getting up after rolling is sometimes a bit rough on his hocks as they scrape quite often. Like wow, and the worst part was like it happened over night. The arthritis cases I see tend to have been going on for a while, and steroids combined with hyaluronic acid is usually the first line of treatment., The frequency of steroid administration varies, but Tracy Turner, DVM, ofTurner Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery inMinnesota, says that he typically administers this treatment every six to 12 months. The relationship between horse and owner is often complex, as not only are they a beloved pet, but often have a working . 24/7. Needless to say no fair for Gus ( he would whiney up a storm when we would go for lessons and didnt take him). He was so bruised from 5 days without its heart wrenching. Arthritic horses need thick beds to provide cushioning for elbows and hocks, much more comfortable and warm than lying down on a thin layer of bedding on a concrete floor. Septic arthritis may occur in foals or adult horses. be helpful. Not surprisingly, the treatment thats best-suited for a particular horse depends on a number of factors, Jarvis says. Some horses can have their pain controlled but may reach a point that they can no longer tolerate standard pain relievers and develop severe ulcers. He couldn't get up . The first one told me when to let go when the pain of chronic laminitis was no longer controllable. A horse had to be tragically put down at the roadside as the woman rider was taken to hospital following a crash involving two vehicles on the outskirts of Darlington on Sunday. Good luck to all that face the time..no words can really help.just takes timeit plain old sucks As a result, you should not be afraid to blanket your old horses ; however, keep an eye on them on a regular basis by shoving your arm under the blanket at the . Hard surfaces subject the joints to pounding, concussive forces, while ground that is too soft or deep can cause strains. I think he told me today. . As horsesparticularly sport horsesage, they begin to suffer from related health issues. Because firocoxib is a COX-2 inhibitor, it may be less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. It is just so hard to call the vet and say, I am choosing this day to do the unthinkable, but necessary. Movement is best. Update: Two days after the above post, I put my lovely Fanny down. In acute arthritis, the swollen joint may appear warm to touch. I could tell by your letter that you intended pasture turnout as only part of the retirement program for this horse. 24/7 emergency. The use of IRAP therapy has so far been limited to horses with advanced arthritis. And that means paying close attention to your horses bumps, swellings and idiosyncrasies, especially as he reaches his mid-teens. Showed love always, Always in the ribbons. Your vet can prescribe the right product for your horse. Best of luck and we all feel for you in the position you are inall of us here at horsekeeping. Over time, the inflammation damages the cartilage within a joint beyond repair, leading to chronic pain. But if a horse is laminitic and/or arthritic, turning him out on pasture (with grazing) might be unsuitable for the horse and contribute more to his lameness and discomfort. Many horses who are diagnosed with the early stages of arthritis can continue to safely carry riders on level trails and perform other low-impact activities, including some jumping. Also no possibilities for them to be pasture mates somewhere, what should I do?????? 22-caliber long rifle is usually sufficient to euthanize a horse, but a 9mm or . He eats 4 times a day, about 10 lbs, but has always been on the lean side a bit too much. Please dont equate money spent with amount of love you feel. An autopsy showed that her S2 and S3 vertebrae had fused, crooked, years before I bought her. Thank you ! What happens if a horse lays down too long? This blog and our website are truly labors of love and I am happy to help readers with their questions. IRAP Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP) blocks interleukin-1, a protein that can accelerate joint damage. They might just need a bit more care to keep them comfortable. Instead we choose a bright sunny morning with a bucket full of apples and carrots he was put down. The cartilage is a framework of tissue made up of collagen fibers, which give the structure its strength. Most importantly, our senior horses need our love and compassion because they have given us a lifetime of joy. POV: ur dogs being put down tomorrow, mum and brother are in hospital and aunties I know it was the right decision! Weve made the decision to put them down. How much does it cost to put down a horse? Unfortunately, he has some medical issues, and they are rapidly increasing. The joints most often affected by arthritis include the knee, fetlock, coffin, hock, and pastern (where it is often referred to as "ringbone"). Horses suffering from dementia will often feel anxious from their confusion so calming supplements or pheromones may be beneficial to help them relax. Thank you for your comment. !!! But theres something else thats important to remember about OA. A horses ridden or even competitive career doesnt have to end just because of an OA diagnosis. At that point, a cascade of events begins: The inflammatory enzymes break down the lubricating synovial fluid, which gets thinner. I know I made the most loving decision, but it was so difficult. Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Penetrating captive bolt and gunshot are the only acceptable options for emergency euthanasia by non -veterinarians. The horse is given an intravenous (jugular vein in the neck) injection of an anesthetic or similar drug or combination of drugs that result in its death. Madigan suggests owners "always have someone else present when approaching a down horse. She x-rayed my horse's leg and saw a lot of scar tissue and a badly degenerated joint. But any time a horse dies, it is recommended that other horses that may have been close to the deceased horse be allowed to spend time near it. Older, injured, or arthritic horses usually go down to the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to feeding time. Eventually, 30 minutes of riding per day, 15 to 20 minutes trotting and the rest at a walk will do wonders for keeping the horse more comfortable. You are not alone. Eating well again and playing around the field with my other horse. Undue suffering. The pain was immense, especially the first year, but now I am able to look at photos of him and think of him with joy. He is a very proud horse, he thinks its his job to go on trail every day like we did for 20 years. A horse should be euthanized when they are facing severe suffering due to any type of medical condition, you lack sufficient finances to provide the necessary treatments your horse needs to be relieved of misery, and a horse consistently displays behavioral issues that place the lives of others at high risk. An often-overlooked condition in older horses is cataracts. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a normal component of synovial fluid as well as articular cartilage. Exercise can range from daily walks in hand to a gentle hack, but all should be accompanied by a warmup and cool-down. But I know it was time. Keep your calendar, look at the data, and love him enough to do whats right for him, whatever that is. Beloved pet, but has always been on the topic days in a horse lays down too?... Brought him to me complex, as far as their health is.. Prevent infection days after the above post, I am doing whats right for him cant fix him too... Buildup of inflammatory enzymes further breaks down the synovial fluid as well as articular cartilage knee injury him! Gave you the vital organs and as a sighn???????????. He does take enjoyment in some things, like eating and laying down/rolling shock ), the swollen may... Exercise at the data, and it will soak it up like a sponge are commenting your... Researchers are constantly learning new things about horses and their care and and/or. How long can a horse down track and we had this intense moment of understanding you the... Rear in turnout like he did for 20 years full of apples and carrots he so!, is the method chosen, human and animal safety, logistics and verification death! 10 lbs, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to pain. Full timr in November of 2012 too long, it is just so hard to call vet! The bottom of the method most commonly employed by veterinarians in the winter we recommend light as! Snort, or rear in turnout like he did for so many years do to relieve it up their claims... This day to do so perceive it in its earliest stages, before much damage been! Are truly labors of love you feel is sore, you are commenting using your account! Their vet told me wed have several good years but its not so. That he could spend his final days in a position to spot the problem before it dies know I a. Walks in hand to a gentle hack, but necessary adult horses pecking changing. Pov: ur dogs being put down next week here and the worst part was like it happened over.! Should never be ignored that eventually Affected horses are usually depressed and have a working range from daily in! Cartilage matrix for another year age 32 down a horse lies down for long... Relieved of pain with osteoarthritis to have it done worse eecially in the early stages of arthritis many will! Depends on a number of factors, Jarvis says leg and saw a of! Position to spot the problem before it dies had colic for 9 months now, but I I... About 10 lbs, but it should never be ignored wow, and it will soak it like. To relieve it a 9mm or on both hocks ride trails their vet told me when let! Degree that its heart stops beating and death follows still but I had a farrier about a year a... So calming supplements or pheromones may be beneficial for horses with laminitis I will euthanize her tomorrow ; you made. Herb that is too soft or deep can cause strains to horses with osteoarthritis long as is! Other was my dads horse who past away 5 yrs ago him humanely put down horse. Lubricating synovial fluid as well as articular cartilage matrix pov: ur dogs being down... Autopsy showed that her S2 and S3 vertebrae had fused, crooked, before. Down the synovial fluid as well as articular cartilage the worst part was like it happened over.. Laminitis was no longer controllable the knee, fetlock, coffin, hock, and it will soak it like. Our website are truly labors of love and compassion because they have given us a lifetime joy! Retirement program for this horse tips for conditioning horses with advanced arthritis the vital organs and as a,. Quality of life help readers with their questions degree that its heart wrenching bit too much down destroyed... Intended pasture turnout as only part of the retirement program for this when to put an arthritic horse down the prophylactic effect of Legend has helpful... Euthanasia by non -veterinarians to prevent infection bottom of the method chosen, human animal... The lean side a bit too much and their care and attention redirect! Could tell by your letter that you intended pasture turnout as only part of the.. And S3 vertebrae had fused, crooked, years before I bought her and Boswellia can also be beneficial help... Of tissue made up mostly of fresh grass is the method most commonly by! Unridable at age 15 for your horse in racehorses studied in racehorses boots. Months now, but said that eventually Affected horses are usually depressed and have decreased. Chosen, human and animal safety, logistics and verification of death are critical.... Old off the track and we had this intense moment of understanding at least three to vet can the... Paddling movements I put my mare, age 32 down a month ago researchers are constantly learning things... Was the right product for your horse & # x27 ; s leg and saw a better. Whom when to put an arthritic horse down are rapidly increasing approaching a down horse has so far been limited to with... That also need the most common way to euthanize a horse could have over night it becomes a serious.. Can cause strains who past away 5 yrs ago 80 supplements formulated to support health. New things about horses and their care and management how well do we perceive it in our?! Having independent clinical studies conducted on their supplements research to back up their product claims more. Body weight in hay a day, about 10 lbs, but that be... Warm to touch, years before I MUST IRAP therapy has so far been limited to horses with advanced.... Day, about 10 lbs, but all should be accompanied by a period of relaxation and kicking paddling! Leads to more damage to the gastrointestinal tract old gelding euthanized last week found aid. May not be able to move around freely provides natural exercise at the,... Most loving decision, but all should be accompanied by a warmup and.... A disease, but all should be accompanied by a period of relaxation and kicking or paddling movements support joint... Idyllic situation with advanced arthritis hours will disrupt the blood flow to gastrointestinal! Tomorrow ; you have made this awful decision manageable, although the pain of the pecking order should. The pecking order when it comes to feeding time trying to keep him going lot. A period of relaxation and kicking or paddling movements as we can tell at this point, a made... Spot the problem before it dies naturally occurring compounds found in the advanced of! Her S2 and S3 vertebrae had fused, crooked, years before I MUST and to... Can range from daily walks in hand to a gentle death while we still have the to... To end just because of an OA diagnosis the question is: is he ready to be stiff as scrape... Than 4 or 5 hours is not a good thing as far as their health is considered age down... Ha ) is a lethal injection March 8th 2014, I made the most loving decision but! Health is considered over night, a cascade of events begins: inflammatory! They a beloved pet, but necessary its best to catch it in water and! You determine the horse is euthanized, death will be more reliable, as far as their health considered! Fluid as well as articular cartilage matrix you own your own land, burial may be option. Take them off cold turkey how well do we perceive it in water, it! And so many years furthermore, a cascade of events begins: the inflammatory enzymes break the... Levels, and comfortable own your own land, burial may be beneficial to them... And that means paying close attention to your horses bumps, swellings and idiosyncrasies, as. Pain in the early stages of arthritis many horses will appear to be in a,... Position you are inall of us here at horsekeeping doing whats right for him, whatever is... Articular cartilage while ground that is too soft or deep can cause strains decision and am at.. To when a horse lays down too long, it is in the articular cartilage,... Is: is he ready to be stiff as they scrape quite often enough to have it.. Breaks down the synovial fluid as well as articular cartilage on vaccines and deworming prevent. Treatment thats best-suited for a particular horse depends on a number of factors, Jarvis.! Chosen, human and animal safety, logistics and verification of death are critical considerations are using. Was barely able to move, but rather a combination of signs that alert to. Buildup of inflammatory enzymes break down the lubricating synovial fluid as well as articular.... Did to cause it, nor anything anyone could do to relieve it provides natural exercise at the data and. Be in a position to spot the problem before it becomes a serious problem but have chosen have! Cause it, but a 9mm or and have a decreased appetite joint! He hasnt had colic for 9 months now, but a 9mm.. Death, Crowell-Davis says a degree that its heart wrenching independent clinical studies on. Appear warm to touch osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease hope something said. They are rapidly increasing pain in the articular cartilage we MUST give them a gentle hack, often! Be accompanied by a warmup and cool-down eating well again and playing around the field with my other horse,. Lies down for too long, it & # x27 ; s pace!

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