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
CaryLou Update & 2 beauties…
We are very happy to have CaryLou and his momma, Twinkle, back home. He escaped from his stall this morning at the hospital and went on his own adventure! LOL! Pam got them back to the farm, safe and sound.
Arriving back at the rescue. It was so good to see them!
CaryLou’s temperature has stayed in the normal range. The breathing issue with his windpipe, well, it’s still there. He sounds like a little Darth Vader at times and he still coughs now and then. It’s a scary thought to know his windpipe could fail but we’re not going to think that way – we think positive and pray it heals over time – we need another miracle. He’ll be on IV antibiotics for a few days. We still don’t know what caused the high temperatures – at one point it was 104.9. We treasure each minute with him.
I want to share a pictures of a couple of my favorite horses – Beauty and Princess. Both Arabians.
Both are being treated for Equine Metabolic Syndrome. A couple of months ago Beauty had rotated about 15 degrees in her front right and could barely walk for weeks. EquiPride, thyroxine, and lots of TLC. She’s much better which makes me very happy! Even Beauty can do the “cricket dance!”
I’m beat and need to call it a day – it’s going to be a long day tomorrow. I haven’t answered any emails or posts, I’m sorry, there just has been no time. And we’ll be up again at 3:30 am to give CaryLou his meds. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Have a wonderful weekend.
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
CaryLou Today 4/4/13
This morning Dr. Hughes said they decided against scoping CaryLou at this time – he is just so small. She thinks his trachea is the issue – the cartilage rings may be deformed (they may be flattened rather than round) or weak. She hopes that with time the issue will correct itself. If not, he may need surgery. The problem with surgery is that they would have to put a stent in his trachea but it would not expand as he grows. When he makes the funny noises, it is likely when his trachea falters which affects his breathing and makes him a bit anxious which, in turn, increases his heart rate and respiration.
Dr. Hughes wanted to keep him again tonight to see how he does. If he is no worse he will come home tomorrow with his IV meds. I won’t deny that I’m worried. If the area of the trachea affected is within the chest, surgical access is very hard. There could be complications like scar tissue forming around the stent that could cause airway obstruction and aspiration pneumonia. Once he is home we will be monitoring him closely and praying that the issue resolves. I can’t imagine anything happening to him. He’s so full of life and is otherwise healthy – he’s built like a tank with a personality that is just so positive and bright!
This was how I found CaryLou this morning – napping with his mom standing over him.
“I’m proud of my spots mommy Theresa – just look at them!”
He’s cute and he knows it!
Here is a link to a short YouTube video of him and Twinkle this morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0daDs_U0QY4
Here he is being a brave boy getting his medications. His mom came over and stood by me and watched – she loves her baby! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWk1hNs3HSM
Please keep CaryLou in your thoughts and prayers. I’ll update again tomorrow. 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
CaryLou is in the hospital…
We were happy to find CaryLou’s temp was down this morning but as the day went by it crept back up. I had shaved him, he’d gotten alcohol baths, etc. and temp was up to 104+ and climbing.
I prayed and the little voice said we needed to go to the hospital. So off we went. I followed Pam with our precious cargo and Jenny went to the rescue to take care of everyone there with Bob. Twinkle was a bit worried when they were unloading but I don’t blame her. I was too.
They did x-rays and didn’t find anything. Blood work was normal.
He was so brave – it took my mare, Beauty, quite awhile to step onto something like this!
CaryLou wasn’t very happy about having an IV catheter put in. And I have to admit it – me and his mom were not happy either.
Twinkle was getting more and more upset waiting while they were putting an IV catheter in CaryLou so I talked to her and reassured her it would be ok – she’s a good momma.
CaryLou and his mom are staying at the hospital tonight. Dr. Hughes thinks he may have a condition (with his windpipe) that he was born with combined with something else causing the temperature. He may need surgery. They have to do more tests. He is getting antibiotics. He has never stopped nursing so that is a good thing.
Being in the dusty stall wasn’t doing me very good so I sat outside for a bit to make sure they calmed down and they did. I felt horrible leaving them at the hospital. I hugged them goodbye and promised I’d see them tomorrow. Today’s experiences were all so new to Twinkle – so many people and much commotion. I wasn’t very concerned about how CaryLou would take the adventure – he’s an adventurous little boy. I am very proud of both of them but I will worry until they are home – healthy and happy.
Today’s expenses were estimated by the hospital to be at least $800. I’m too beat at this moment to think about a fundraiser – I feel a migraine coming on so I’m going to try to put it out before it gets worse. Please keep Twinkle and CaryLou in your prayers. If anyone would like to help with the expenses it would be so very much appreciated. Donations can be called in to Peterson & Smith Large Animal Hospital at 352-237-6151 or they can be made via our “Donate” page on our website https://www.bhfer.org/oldsite/donate.html.
I do want to share this picture of Lucy. She is tucked in for the night – we’ve had some rain. Lucy has a friend – there is a tiny little bird that we’ve named Ricky that keeps her company. Ricky came the day Lucy arrived and has stayed. If you look in the right corner of the windowsill you can see him. So cute. Lucy continues to do well.
I’ll update tomorrow when I know more. Thank you all for your support.
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
CaryLou
CaryLou’s blood work came back normal but his temp is still high (103+). But he is nursing and doing everything a baby should do. His breathing is still up. If he is no better tomorrow we may have to take him to the hospital. I don’t like to do that because it’s stressful and he could pick things up there. We’ll be monitoring him closely. Please pray that his fever breaks tonight and he is better by morning. 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
Lucy and CaryLou
Lucy is doing well – she gets lots of attention which she just soaks right up. Dr. Porter stopped by to drop off some medicine for Sisco and took a look at Lucy. He says he’s seen this condition before and he agrees – she needs time to adjust to changes – she needs to learn how to use her mouth in way that works. But she is doing it and she’s eating and drinking better each day. He says her head will remold some (get smaller) over the next couple of years but likely will never be normal. But that’s ok – Lucy is beautiful!
Lucy did have a major breakthrough today – she made her first real poop since she has been here!!! We are so proud of her and her “I can do this” spirit! We’re still praying for a miracle but feel better each day.
We are waiting on CaryLou’s blood work results. He has been started on antibiotics. Fortunately, he has an appetite. His temp is still up and he’s being monitored closely.
Please keep both CaryLou and Lucy in your prayers. Thank you all so very much. I’ll update again when we get the blood work back.
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
CaryLou is sick…
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
CaryLou and Lucy
"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 Update March 31, 2013
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
Happy Easter!
“Pay no attention to the short ears – I’m an Easter Bunny today!”
“Happy Easter from all of us here at Beauty’s Haven!”
Lucy today & Penny
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