CaryLou isn’t feeling good this am. He has at temp and his breathing and HR are high. Dr. Ryan will be coming out.
Would anyone like to help cover CaryLou’s vet bill today? He doesn’t have any sponsors.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
"Good morning everyone! Mommy Theresa wanted me to let you know that Lucy is doing ok this morning. She ate 2 cups of food and drank lots of gulps of water. We’re trying to be friends but my mommy, Twinkle, isn’t so sure about that yet.”
“I got to meet my other aunties yesterday and guess what???? Aunties Amy and Ariel are going to have babies soon – I’ll have new cousins to play with! And then there is Auntie Adora – she doesn’t seem to like me but I’ll grow on her.”
“Have a good day everyone! Smile – God loves you!"
Love,
CaryLou
Beauty’s Haven – We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit all volunteer equine rescue organization. We can’t help the horses without help from the public. We do not receive any funds from local, state, or the federal governments. We have many rescues here, some available for adoption, some in rehab, and some that will live out their lives here due to special needs. Sign up to automatically receive updates through our Daily Blog at http://bhfer.wordpress.com/.
Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small. Please share our info with family, friends, and co-workers. We need help to continue in our mission of helping horses. Our PayPal address is theresa@beautysequinerescue.org or donations can be made a variety of ways via our website at https://www.bhfer.org/oldsite/donate.html. Thank you!
Lucy is a miniature horse that has Big Head Disease – also known as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is caused by long term calcium deficiency. When this happens horses pull so much calcium and phosphorus from their bones that their bones become weak and fibrous. Facial bones become fibrous and swell – this happens most commonly in young horses whose facial bones haven’t fully hardened and formed. Lucy is only 3 years old. Affected horses tend to lose weight even if they get enough feed. Swelling that happens in the bones causes the upper airways to become obstructed. It is also possible for teeth to fall out. Once treatment to correct this disease successfully begins, it can take up to a year for remineralisation of bone to take place.
Before Lucy came to us, she was at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary where Kari Bagnall had taken Lucy in and committed to helping her. Lucy had arrived there in the back of a utility trailer.
Lucy was having trouble breathing and was losing weight. She was taken to UF where a tracheotomy was done which helped her to breathe better. Kari called me and asked if we could take Lucy into our program – she’d asked other rescues but nobody stepped up. The last rescue Kari had contacted told her they would give Lucy a good burial! Of course we would take Lucy! Kari met with us at the farm and we planned on Lucy arriving the next day. But when I called Kari the next day she was in tears. She had been advised that it would be in Lucy’s best interest to put her down – Lucy had pneumonia and a new issue was diagnosed with her liver (with high values over 700). Her tongue was limp and her jaws were not working – she couldn’t eat or drink. She spiked a daily fever and her HR maintained between 70 – 80 bpm. I asked Kari to wait – I wanted to meet Lucy. Kari met me at the hospital and when I got there I saw a little mare that was having tremors, drooling, and that was obviously depressed.
I watched Lucy for a bit and asked questions of the doctors. I felt Lucy needed time and I had hope. I asked Kari if we could give Lucy some time at the rescue and she was more than happy to agree. I thought that perhaps by continuing IV fluids here where she would get 24/7 hands on care, and have the company of other horses, it would give her an opportunity to perk up mentally and also give her body time to adapt to changes in how she would need to eat and drink. Sometimes the body does have ways of adapting in order to survive. Then I went home and prayed and prepared for Lucy’s arrival the next day. The next day started out good with the news that Lucy’s liver values had gone down (50ish) substantially! I asked Kari to send Well-Gel home with Lucy that we could give her orally for nutrition and IV fluids would be continued, not only to make sure she stayed hydrated and to get her meds into her, but also to give her time to learn to start using her tongue and jaws again. I think we all felt relief when Lucy got here.
Lucy gets lots of attention and everyone loves her. Her ability to use her jaws has improved daily. She no longer drools.
Things were going good but the day after Lucy arrived, the vein where the IV catheter was collapsed. The vein on the other side of her neck had already collapsed. But the next day Dr. Natalie and Dr. Ann spent almost 3 hours successfully inserting a catheter into Lucy’s leg.
Yesterday the unthinkable happened. When trying to give IV fluids there was a leakage through the bandage. Praying for a small mechanical failure that could be fixed, I unwrapped the leg and checked all the connections and tried to unclog any blockage, but nothing. The vein in her little leg had collapsed.
Our only alternative was to switch to oral antibiotics, and administer some meds IM, which we are doing. But will Lucy be able to drink enough? Well, this morning Lucy’s temperature and respiration were normal and her heart rate is 60. She has taken 33 sips of water this morning and she is eating! She does not like getting meds IM and I feel bad that I have to poke her. Here is Lucy resting in her stall today.
Lucy is far from being out of the woods and there may be more obstacles, but for today, Lucy is happy and improving. We pray that she overcomes the pneumonia and that she continues to improve in her abilities to eat and drink. Lucy’s attitude is bright and positive – she loves life. She is out grazing around the barn today and she is happy. Please keep her in your prayers – she needs a miracle and I believe….
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
“Pay no attention to the short ears – I’m an Easter Bunny today!”
“Happy Easter from all of us here at Beauty’s Haven!”
Dr. Julia was very pleased with Lucy today – Lucy was bright eyed and bushy tailed. Her exam went well – heart, lungs, gut – all sounded good. Temperature remains normal.
Lucy took a good nap after her exam.
I sat with her for awhile.
Lucy loves human touch so much she even tried to hold my hoof. LOL!
Auntie Judy spoiled her this morning.
She enjoyed her time outside.
Auntie Karen came and stayed with Lucy for a few hours this evening.
Penny has been laying down a lot – she’s just not been herself. Dr. Julia examined her and all seems ok but she did some blood work.
CaryLou was full of himself today. He reminds me of a bunny rabbit.
I don’t’ know why he was making this face but he wasn’t happy with something!
We are currently waiting for Dr. Ryan to arrive. There is an issue with Lucy’s catheter and as hard as I’ve tried I just can’t fix it. Have a good night everyone!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Lucy, the miniature mini mare, has Big Head Disease, also known as Bran Disease, which is caused by a diet too rich in potassium and not enough calcium. The disease causes issues to bones – facial bones are the most affected. Some horses have difficulty breathing because of narrowing and/or obstruction of the nasal passages. Eating may be difficult and/or painful and teeth may be lost. Bones are weakened because calcium is mobilized and replaced by fibrous tissue. The beginning of Lucy’s story – she arrived at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in the back of an open little trailer about a month ago. Kari Bagnall, Founder and Director of the Sanctuary, realized that Lucy needed special care. Dental work was done on Lucy but she was having trouble breathing. Lucy’s ability chew and swallow is affected as well. She was taken to UF where a permanent tracheotomy was performed.
While at the hospital Lucy contracted aspiration pneumonia. Kari had been searching for a horse rescue willing to take Lucy upon release from UF that had the ability to continue to provide Lucy with her medical needs – she gets meds around the clock. When Kari contacted me, I was appalled to learn that the last rescue she had talked to had told her they would not use resources for a horse with a challenging medical condition but they would take Lucy and give her a nice burial! It is very sad – they didn’t do their research on this condition before sentencing Lucy to death! Lucy should be able to make a full recovery with the proper diet and care. Kari and I discussed the situation. I spoke with Dr. Smith (he assisted in Baby Girl’s surgery) at UF and he felt Beauty’s Haven would be the best place for Lucy to recover at. Of course, we couldn’t say no – especially knowing that nobody else was stepping up to help and she certainly was not ready to be buried! Jungle Friends is a wonderful organization that specializes in helping primates – but Lucy really needs to be in an equine environment.
Kari visited us this past Sunday and we made plans for Lucy to come here upon release from UF. But Monday night when I called to check on Lucy’s status, Kari was in tears – it had pretty much been decided at UF that Lucy should be put down – there was a new issue with her liver. Lucy had come so far and had been doing well until then – she hadn’t passed any poop and wouldn’t eat or drink and her liver values were really high (700+), and she seemed depressed. Kari and I met at the hospital to visit with Lucy and discuss the situation. We agreed that Lucy should come to the rescue and be given time – she had been at the hospital for almost 2 weeks. We felt she needed to be around other horses and in a warm “home” environment. She may be with us for a only few days, a week, or, hopefully, for years to come. We talked to Lucy and told her she’d be coming here and asked her to please hold on and to get better. The next morning we were happy to learn that Lucy pooped through the night AND her liver values were much better (down to 50!!!) – not sure what happened overnight but thank God for small miracles! Upon arrival here yesterday, she settled right in. She is eating and drinking (not nearly enough) and she has met other mini’s. She has light in her eyes. She is across the hall from Twinkle and CaryLou. She loves going for walks outside but the weather is too cold to turn her out. We have volunteers that are coming to sit with Lucy, read to her, and walk her.
Twinkle’s baby was born on Sunday evening at about the time that I learned that that UF had recommended Lucy be put down due to the high liver values and related concerns. So, Twinkle’s baby boy, CaryLou, was named in honor of Kari, the woman that gave Lucy, the miniature horse, a chance to live. It was my way to honor this little horse that is trying so hard to live and the woman that took her in when she needed help or she would have died.
So now we keep up with Lucy’s medication schedule, continue her IV fluids, monitor and nurture her, and let go and let God. I’ll update later today. Thank you all for caring about her. She needs prayers and good thoughts. It is sad to know that all of her issues could have been prevented if she had been fed a proper diet. Lucy’s condition was caused by human neglect. We owe it to her to give it our best – she’s only 3 years young. Gotta run – Dr. Julia is here!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
We really do need help with vet and feed bills. Please consider making a tax deductible donation. No amount is too small. I admit it – I’m stressing – I sat down and looked at our needs tonight and my heart sunk. I hate asking for help but I have to. I do want to say that little Lucy did not come with any bills. All of her vet needs through today were taken care of by Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary.
But we have the babies coming and hay needs and no coupons left to help with grain. And I am so glad Twinkle was here when she foaled – Dr. Ryan said she would have been perfect prey for coyotes and it was so cold out. Oh Lord I pray for green grass soon so we won’t have to buy as much hay….
And we have several hooficures coming up – would anyone like to sponsor a horse? Our PayPal address is theresa or you can visit our "Donate" page at https://www.bhfer.org/oldsite/donate.html.
God bless and thank you.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Sorry – we’re working on it.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Click on the picture to go to the webcam to see the mini mare’s and soon Lucy will be arriving in her stall!
When the sign in screen comes up type in “admin” for user name and hit “login”. But it only works with Internet Explorer!
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
Twinkle had a baby boy tonight at around 8 pm! She pretty much did it all on her own but Bob, Katie, Jenny, and Joshua were there to help.
While we thank God for Twinkle’s little boy we continue to pray for Lucy. So now we have two more babies to go – I pray their trip into this world goes as smoothly as this one did.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb
