Tag Archive for: colic

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She Never Gave Up!

Aaleyah Belle is back at the rescue! Colic can happen at any time and I still cannot believe that we lost Oasis a couple of weeks ago to this insidious condition. And then it hit Aaleyah Belle out of the blue! Aaleyah so loves life and I am so very grateful that she got through this. She never gave up! Life can truly change in a blink of an eye. Thank you, all, so very much, for your good thoughts and prayers. We have been blessed many times with answered prayers. This is yet another blessing.

We have currently posted a fundraiser on Facebook to help cover the cost of Aaleyah’s surgery, hospital stay and veterinary care. If anyone would like to help with this need, you can visit our Facebook page (CLICK HERE), or if you prefer, you may contribute directly to Beauty’s Haven by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button below. Please note that your contribution is for ‘Aaleyah Belle.’

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Thank you, all, for your continued generosity, love and support. If you would like to see our girl up close and personal, just click on the image above.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Aaleyah Belle Needs Prayers

On Saturday morning, we were faced with yet another medical crisis. Aaleyah went down with colic.

I immediately called the vet and then administered medications. After the vet arrived and passed a tube, she determined that Aaleyah required hospitalization. As we were loading Aaleyah, Chloe become very stressed. Aaleyah and Chloe have been best friends for many years and I was so worried that Chloe, too, might colic. I made the decision, despite a terrible migraine, to remain at the farm while Jenny followed Bob and Aaleyah to the hospital. I gave Chloe a little sedative to calm her down and approximately forty-five minutes later, she felt better and went off with Peaches who is, once again, on ‘friendship’ duty. I’m sure Peaches knows that Chloe needs a new friend while Aaleyah is away.

Once Aaleyah arrived at the hospital, Dr. Hughes called and stated that she felt Aaleyah’s Issue could be managed medically vs surgically – they would treat her and give her some time. As we waited, Jenny stayed in touch and after a bit, she called to say that it would be best if I got to the hospital as soon as possible. My migraine had subsided, Chloe had settled down, and I was very concerned about Aaleyah, so off to the hospital I went. Upon seeing Aaleyah, my little voice told me she needed surgery sooner than later. Jenny then tracked down Dr. Hughes to let her know that I had arrived.

After discussing the issues with Dr. Hughes, I asked that she set the process in motion so Aaleyah could go into surgery immediately – a decision which literally, saved Aaleyah’s life.

During surgery, Dr. Hughes discovered that Aaleyah’s colon had been displaced. However, the blood supply to it was good. The bigger issue was an epiploic foramen entrapment. There is a small slit next to the liver and stomach (which is normal) but somehow, about six feet of Aaleyah’s small intestine had become entrapped in that slit. The blood supply had been cut off but the intestine was not dead so Dr. Hughes opted to put back the section of small intestine where it belonged versus resecting it. Afterwards, she observed the intestine moving and ‘coming back to life.’. She stated that part of the intestine was ‘sick’ but it was not ‘dead,’ and thought it best to let it be. She also said that Aaleyah needs to go on a serious diet! I don’t want to be the one to tell Aaleyah that – she only gets a little Safe Starch Forage with a ration balancer as it is.

When Dr. Hughes called this morning, she stated that Aaleyah had had a bumpy night which was to be expected following major surgery. She promised to call me if there was any change for the worse. Sadly, since I could not be in two places at once and with Jo and Gabe having issues, I opted to remain at the farm today while Jenny went to check in with Aaleyah at the hospital. I was happy to learn Aaleyah had passed a small amount of poop! She is also talking to a cute gelding across from her and her eyes are a bit brighter.

She is not out of the woods yet and will remain at the hospital for at least five to seven days.

How to Help

If anyone would like to help with Aaleyah’s medical/surgical fees, donations may be called directly into Peterson Smith Equine Hospital: 352-861-1251 or 352-237-6151. Account #95501. Donations for her may also be made in a variety of ways by clicking on the button below.

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Thank you, all, for your love and support and please continue to keep Aaleyah in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Maggie Gave us Quite a Scare!

Let’s start with the news that Maggie is okay. But boy, did she have us worried!

Last Friday evening, we noticed that Maggie simply wasn’t quite herself. Taking into consideration the amount of manure in her paddock, coupled with her demeanor, we felt that she may have been colicking, so we called a vet to come out. Upon arrival, the vet assessed her, tubed and oiled her and ran fluids. Once a rectal examination was done, the vet removed a good amount of healthy-looking manure and after running five more liters of fluids, she felt that things were looking up for Maggie. We were advised, however, that should Maggie take a turn for the worse, it would be in her best interest to admit her to the hospital. We finished running the fluids and took Maggie out of her stall for a little walk, but after she started to paw at the ground, we felt strongly that she still had an issue and it was imperative that she be immediately transported to the hospital, despite the horrific weather and torrential rains that we were experiencing at the time.

Once at the hospital, an ultrasound and tests were done. We were advised that Maggie might need surgery – there was an issue in the small intestine.

They ran blood tests every few hours, gave her fluids, and managed any discomfort in hopes the issue would resolve without surgery. If Margarita did not improve or if her condition worsened, she would go into surgery. It was time to pray!

On Saturday morning, the vet called with the good news that Margarita remained stable throughout the night, and they believed the issue had resolved. Whew! They started a slow refeeding protocol planned to keep her another day or two to ensure that she could eat, process the food and pass manure without issue. Surgery still had not been excluded, so she wasn’t completely out of the woods.

We were prepared to do whatever was in Maggie’s best interest, in accordance with the vet’s recommendations.

Other than this episode, Maggie has been doing great since we brought her in. She has gained 300 lbs., her coat is shiny and her eyes are bright. She has free roam in grassy paddocks and access to shelter 24/7. Grazing and walking is a natural thing for horses – it helps keep the gut happy. Maggie is a sweet and happy mare who shares a paddock with her best friend, Gabe, who missed her so very much.

Fortunately, Gabe got his friend back yesterday. We are so very grateful for answered prayers!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Update on Venus

Venus is a champ! After a very long day on Wednesday, I am happy to report that her colon is back where it belongs! She is bright eyed and talkative but she needs to have a normal poop. We are so very thankful that Nadia, Venus’s best friend, is right across the aisle there to provide love and support.

They will likely be there until at least Monday. I know if Venus needs anything, she’s in great hands at EMCO (Equine Medical Center of Orlando). They’ve been very good to the girls.

In the meantime, a dear friend and supporter has offered to match all donations up to $1000 for our brave and beautiful girl.

You can contribute toward Venus’s care on our Facebook fundraiser, or here on our website, just click the appropriate button below. If donating on our website, please make sure to note it’s for Venus.

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Please continue to pray for Venus. Nadia would be lost without her, as we all would be.

Gratefully,
Theresa

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Prayers Needed for Venus

Sadly, we discovered Venus colicing yesterday morning. When the vet arrived, fluids were run as Venus tried to work through her colic the remainder of the day.

Venus is 37 years young and her best friend, Nadia, has been outside of her stall from the beginning. They are very bonded. Very early this morning, Venus did have a bowel movement, and although it was quite dry, we were ecstatic nonetheless!

We made the decision, however, that it would be in Venus’s best interest to send both girls to the hospital to ensure that Venus receives the very best of what she needs, including having her BFF there.

We estimate that Venus’s hospital stay and treatment will cost a minimum of $2,000, so if anyone would like to assist with this most necessary need, it would be so very much appreciated.

Just click on the DONATE button below, and be sure to note that your contribution is for Venus.

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Please keep Venus in your prayers. Nadia would be truly lost without her, as would we all be.

As always, thank you all for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Hope’s Incredible Journey

As you all know, Hope had colic surgery in early December. During surgery, they had to do an enterotomy into the small colon (fecalith) as well as one into the large colon (sand). The day she returned from the hospital, almost two weeks later, she had a great appetite but we were seeing more input than output, and she simply wasn’t interested in drinking her water. We tried adding different flavorings to it (molasses, peppermint, etc.), we even tried different buckets and water with varying temperatures, but still, she simply wasn’t interested in drinking. That evening she showed signs of potential colic – stretching and parking out but she wasn’t having bowel movements.

After treating her per her vet’s instructions with no luck, we took her back to the hospital the very next day. Wouldn’t you know it – she had a good BM on the way to the hospital!

But we decided to continue to the hospital as planned. There are just too many things that can occur following colic surgery (endotoxemia, adhesions, salmonella, laminitis, etc.) and we simply did not want to take a chance.

Hope received fluids at the hospital and she did quite well the first night. The next evening, she was given hay, but soon, started to park out and stretch again. She wasn’t passing manure like she should and she had a temperature. Over the course of the next couple of days, she had another colic episode which thankfully resolved, and additional tests and x-rays as well as an ultrasound were performed. To say it was a a roller coaster ride for us would truly be an understatement!

It was believed that adhesions may be the issue so hay was removed from Hope’s diet and she thankfully improved. On the following day, however, her temperature was high once again.

More tests were done and it was determined that Hope had an infection at the surgical incision site, so she was started on antibiotics.

By this time, she was passing “normal” BMs, but then, the poor little one got diarrhea, likely from the antibiotics. If she stayed at the hospital, she would have gone into isolation due to her diarrhea so the vet thought it would be in her best interest to return home.

Once back at the rescue, we watched Hope like a hawk around the clock for the first few days (we had to administer her meds and take her temperature often). She’s receiving mushy meals, but she still isn’t interested in drinking, but it does make me happy knowing that she is, at least, getting adequate water from her meals. Since Hope has done fine thus far, we gradually reintroduced hay (soaked) to her diet which makes her so very happy. She also gets hand walked which enables her to graze a few times a day.

We’re also happy to report that we now get to sleep through the night (but Hope is under a camera 24/7). She is still on stall rest for another couple of weeks. After that, she will be able to go out into a small confined area where she will be unable to run around and possibly hurt herself – her tummy needs to heal and her muscles need to strengthen. After ninety days, if all is well, she will be able to become a little horse once again!

Hope’s diet and BMs will always have to be monitored and any issues that may arise, must of course, be dealt with swiftly. She’s a smart little girl who really enjoys life, although I’m sure she will be happier once she is able to be turned out again!

We truly appreciate everyone’s support throughout Hope’s incredible journey. We’re still a bit short for her veterinary fees, but we have faith that the need will be met. We’re thankful and so very blessed that we have been able to help this precious little one and that she’s doing so well on her road to recovery. We’re looking forward to leaving 2020 behind and plan to enter 2021 with a hope for a better tomorrow!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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And… Hope is Back at UF

On her first day home Hope had a good day with the exception of not having a substantial bowel movement. She did have a BM on the way home on Thursday, once more in the evening, and then again sometime during the night. On Friday morning, she made a tiny BM but her temperature, heart and respiration rates were all normal. She had a great appetite all day and munched on soaked hay but didn’t care to drink. Late morning, she walked in a circle and stretched out – not at all good signs.

I tried different concoctions to get her to drink but she simply wasn’t interested. Last evening she circled and stretched out again so I contacted her vet at UF and was instructed on what to do.

Hope seemed fine but she just would not drink. By late evening, she did more stretching so I called the vet once again and we decided taking her back to UF was in her best interest.

The vet said with the drastic change of weather, many horses are having issues regarding not wanting to drink which can lead to colic.

When we took Hope to UF on December 4th, she weighed only 88 lbs. and scored a 2 on the Body Condition Scale. When they operated on her that day they removed a lot of sand and a fecalith – she was truly lucky to be alive. Hope is only three years old and deserved a chance. She has come too far to go backwards so taking her back to the hospital was, in our opinion, the right thing to do. Upon arrival at the hospital last night, she did have a good BM so we are optimistic. Please say a prayer for our little girl.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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High “Hopes” for Mini Mare’s Recovery

Little Hope, our new mini mare surrender we took in on December 3 that was presenting with colic, made it out of surgery. Whew! It turns out she had a double whopper – not only a horrible sand issue but also a fecal impaction which would have never resolved without surgery.

Hope will have to stay at the hospital for a few days but I’ll post pictures when I get them. The wonderful people at UF Large Animal Hospital are smitten by her and promise me that she is in good hands. What a relief!

Now we pray for a non-eventful recovery with no issues with infection or other complications. So please keep Hope in your prayers.

Thank you all for your support. It takes a village and I’m so very thankful for all of you!
Theresa

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Colic Emergency for Precious New Mini Mare

Okay, Village, we need prayers for this wee young mini mare we have named Hope. She is suffering from colic due to sand in her gut, and we are desperately hoping to save her. Below is an account of her status, observations, and care thus far.

December 3, 2020

5:22pm – Hope is suffering from an impaction and the vet arrived to tube and oil her. No gut sounds.

11:50pm – A few gut sounds heard, finally. She’s on IV fluids and medication will be administered as needed. If she does not have a bowel movement by late morning, our vet will do an ultrasound. She is exhausted and is quietly resting at the moment.

Please pray that this precious little girl makes it through the night.

December 4, 2020

4:51am – No poop yet but better gut sounds.

10:05am – God’s light shined down on little Hope this morning as Dr. Templeton worked on her again. Unfortunately, x-rays show quite a bit of sand in her gut. Hope is on her way to UF. Sand impactions are never a good thing and neither is colic. But she’s only three years old and a real trooper. She’s such a sweet little girl that deserves a chance at life.

With the drastic weather changes we’ve been having, please make sure your horse is drinking. Provide good quality hay which will help the gut to work more efficiently. Don’t put their feed tubs in the sand. Feed hay in hay feeders or bags. Give psyllium for a week each month. Do everything you can to minimize sand intake.

11:00am – Little Hope is now in surgery, more prayers needed.

If anyone would like to help Hope, donations can be easily made by clicking the button below, through Facebook. or via PayPal. No amount is too small. All donations are greatly appreciated as her medical bills will be sizable.

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Thank you, all & God bless.

Sincerely,
Theresa

 

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When it Rains, it Pours

Yesterday, Warrior sadly had a bout of colic which worried us greatly. The vet was immediately called out and Warrior was tubed and oiled. Thankfully, he did have one bowel movement soon thereafter. Blood tests were done but he just was not feeling great. Early this morning, however, we discovered three piles of poop! I’m still anxious to get the blood work results back and will update you all as soon as I can.

If anyone would like to assist with Warrior’s veterinary fees, please click the ‘Donate’ button below, and note that your donation is for ‘Warrior.’ All donations are greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.

Thank you for your love and support!

Sincerely,
Theresa

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