July 10th
I’m sorry for the late update on Willow – the hospital had something come up ahead of us and we were late getting her back to the rescue. Then we had another bad storm and had to do evening chores.
Dr. Specht suspected suture periositis/exostosis which is a suture (where cranium bones meet) separation – swelling of the suture lines occurs. The lumps on Willow’s head associate with the orbit of both eyes and extend across her forehead. This was confirmed with x-rays today at at UF which indicated a chronic fracture. Also, they tried to flush her tear ducts but had very little luck with the right side and no luck with the left – there is likely boney compression of the canal.
We have no idea when or how this happened. The only thing we can think of is that for some reason Willow flipped over or she ran into the side of the shelter (or perhaps the post at the front of the shelter) that she shares with Sophie – they are best friends and live together in a paddock. I’m wondering if it could have happened during one of the really bad storms we’ve had – some of the lightning and thunder were enough to make me want to run and hide! We’ve never seen her spook at anything. The treatment is anti-inflammatory meds and time. Her tear ducts will be checked again in a couple of weeks. It gives me a headache just thinking about it.
July 11th
Feels like 100 degrees. No breeze. We all love the overhead musters that are in the trees.
“Mommy Theresa please come play with me!” I think she’s serious. Look at those ears!
July 12th
“Auntie Sue did you know that if you blow into the water in the blue bucket that it will make bubbles?”
“Go ahead and try it! Ok then, watch and I’ll show you how to do it!”
This is what JoJo was doing about this time last year. Forget suds in the bucket – the suds were everywhere but in the bucket! He got into a bottle of Dawn and had a blast!
“Mommy Theresa please stop washing breakfast tubs and come play with me! Now, ok? Like right this minute, please?!?” There goes those ears again.
July 13th
Good morning everyone. I’d like to ask for good thoughts and prayers for Jazzy. He hasn’t been feeling well since yesterday. He’s just not right – he’s been semi lethargic. Isn’t running a temperature. Calling a vet out.
Jazzy may be a little bit better – we need to give him a little more time. He got Banamine and something to soothe his tummy today and Dr. Ted will decide if he should do blood work or not tomorrow. There were times today when Jazzy seemed to feel better but then I’d find him standing off by himself. He’s grazing and drinking and he’s gone poop. Hopefully he will be back to normal by morning so he doesn’t have to have blood drawn – he doesn’t care to have that done. Not at all.
We heard someone knocking on the door to the office. I looked out and saw those ears – it was JoJo! He said he wanted to come in and help me work. He made it to the laundry room but we had to stop him there and give him the bad news – he’s just a bit too big now. He wasn’t happy about it.
“I see the ramp! Mommy Theresa do I really have to go now? I didn’t mean to get the laundry room dirty. I rolled after it rained and got dirty. I tried to shake it off before I went in the house but that’s the best I could do!”
July 14th
Jazzy still isn’t himself so Dr. Ted did blood work. I’ll update when we get the blood work test results back.
Look at the baby’s butt. She’s shedding out and changing colors!
“I don’t want to wear a mask anymore!” Oh gosh, I think she’s been talking to JoJo!
Sophie Blue Eyes is up first to get her dental done today. She’s a 19 year old TWH paint looking for her forever home and for sponsors!
Good night everyone.
July 15th
Lucy is a mini mare that came to us with Big Head Disease, also known as Bran Disease. An explanation of this disease:
“A fairly rare nutritional disease in horses is nicknamed big head disease. The actual name is nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, so the reason it is referred to as big head disease is because one of the major clinical signs is that the head bones grow too big. This enlargement occurs because the horse’s feed has an improper calcium to phosphorus ratio causing high phosphorus levels in the horse’s blood. This enlargement occurs due to a diet low in calcium and either high in phosphorus or low in vitamin D. Also, some grasses like Dallis grass, buffel grass, panic grass and Setaria contain high levels of oxalates, and these grasses decrease absorption of calcium. High phosphorus in the blood triggers a release of hormones that causes calcium and phosphorus to be resorbed from the bone. As calcium is absorbed from the bone, it is replaced by fibrous tissue that exceeds the amount of bone resorbed. Since the bones of the skull are affected, the head enlarges and causes the big head appearance.
In some cases, the head enlarges so much that horses cannot eat and their teeth loosen and fall out. Early signs also involve a shifting leg lameness due to weakened bones that can lead to fracture. Treatment involves changing the feed to one with a correct calcium to phosphorus ratio. Alfalfa is a good choice as it has a high calcium level. You can also add limestone to the alfalfa to increase the amount of calcium. It will usually take up to a year for these horses to improve, if they survive. So it is important to realize nutrition is important and feeding a balanced diet is critical for all animals. For this reason, the calcium to phosphorus ratio of all supplements you are giving your horse should be reviewed as some supplements could lead to problems.”
In Lucy’s case, by the time she was dropped off by her previous owner at Jungle Friends, her head had enlarged to the point it effected her breathing so much so she had to have a tracheotomy at UF. She coliced and she had trouble eating and drinking. Her liver values were really bad. The vets suggested she be euthanized. When I met her at UF, I saw a lot of life in her bright eyes – she wasn’t ready to give up. And here, we don’t give up without trying all avenues. We opted to have her brought to the rescue. We fed her through an IV for days but her little veins would collapse. Then we opted to syringe her Well-Gel many times a day. She was treated with acupuncture. We were able to buy her the time she needed for her body to adjust and heal. But she did lose a few teeth. The vets would call to see if she “was still with us”. They didn’t think she would make it – they are totally amazed that she survived. Today, Lucy is a happy little girl that runs and plays and loves life. Her head has gone down quite a bit. She still gets her Well-Gel and Calcium Ascorbate.
Lucy needs sponsors to help replenish both her Well-Gel and Calcium Ascorbate. The total needed is currently $260. Would anyone like to help? Our PayPal address is bhfer and there are other ways to donate via our website at www.bhfer.org. No amount is too small and all donations are tax deductible. If you can help, please note that it is for “Lucy”. Everyone loves Lucy! Thank you for your consideration!
Lucy says “Believe!”
Jazzy seemed a bit better today. His bloodwork had some highs and lows in it but the plan is to keep doing what we’re doing and give his body time to work it out – unless he gets worse. His temperature was normal today for the first time in 3 days.
The ball is getting smaller.
I wonder what Foxy was saying to Sophie Blue Eyes? Sophie must wear a long flymask to protect her face because her skin is pink. She’s a 19 year old TWH that is looking for a forever home with lots of shade.
Kellie had the same problem I do when trying to take pictures of Foxy. If you back up to take her picture she moves with you. She’s just precious!
Mocha is slowly coming around. She and Daisy have become good friends. Daisy doesn’t like Mocha out of her sight. It’s hard to see Mocha in this photo but she’s just on the other side of me sniffing my hair.
I’d say that JoJo has been talking to Foxy. I found her chewing on her flymask this afternoon while stomping on his!
July 16th
Our day started out with a rainbow.
I think this photo is adorable. There’s forage in the metal trash can. Beauty was sneaking but she got caught!
Mocha stood perfectly still for scratches and halter fitting today. She’s a 4 month old feral donkey.
“Mommy Theresa come quick! I can’t find my flymask!”
