Dobbin
11/30/01
- This Arabian X mare needs our help!
Prior to my trip to the Canadian auctions in September,
I was made aware of the plight of an Arabian Cross mare. She
had an injury on her left rear hock that would swell, drain
(no pus.....bloody liquid) and then go down some. The owner
had flatly refused to allow me to call a vet and pay for it
personally. TIER was/is not in a financial position to rescue
this mare from the owner and the owner refused to donate her.
Upon my return from the auctions, I contacted the owner of the
mare to see if she was still there. She was and they still refused
to donate her or come down in their asking price as she is considered
to be very well "broke". Sigh.
Last
Wednesday, I was returning from working with the foals that
are currently being housed at the UPF facility and I drove by
the property where the mare was located to see if she was still
there. It was obvious that the injury had been sprayed with
something, but it looked worse and she had dropped weight. As
I drove away from where she was being kept, I had a hollowness
inside me. It makes me so angry that the life of a horse and
the quality of that life is based in $$!!! As I traveled down
the freeway towards home I felt (again) that I was abandoning
this precious life. I turned around and went back.
After
much haggling (Owner: "She's not lame on that leg at all!"
Owner's Wife & Child: "See! She can run without limping.")
I gave the man $100.00 deposit with the assurance that I would
pay the balance within 2 weeks. (I hope). The important thing
was to get her out of there where she could receive veterinary
care. She is now at TIER and the vet will be out this morning.
Updates will be forthcoming. Any assistance you may have to
offer would be greatly appreciated.
Warning - some of the images below may
not be suitable for everyone.
TIER
is in need of funds to pay her ransom and get immediate veterinary
care. Please help us help her.
Update
12/4/01 - The vet was out on Saturday and took x-rays. Volunteer
Mel assisted with cleaning the wound/leg prior to the vet's
visit. Dried up discharge from the wound was very thick on her
leg and hoof. Needless to say......she was patient with our
ministrations and seemed to enjoy the attention.
The
vet does have some concerns. The swelling is hard..indicating
scar tissue or a tumor. In order to do surgery, she will have
to be laid on her back to keep her from bleeding to death...thus,
she will have to go to the vet's surgical clinic. X-rays were
taken and we will know the results today 12/4/01 when the vet
comes out to geld black 1+ yr. old TB stallion that was purchased
2 weeks ago in order to keep him from going to auction. (Pics
& updates will be forthcoming. He IS available for a new
home.)
The
main concern voiced by the vet is that if surgery is done to
remove the scar tissue/tumor..or whatever it is, that the surrounding
skin may not be healthy enough to heal properly. If this skin
is too unhealthy to close/heal after a surgery, we may be creating
a worse problem than already exists. We will keep everyone informed
as to the decision per the vet's advice.
When
the vet was preparing to do the x-rays on this lovely mare,
he said "Bring ol' Dobbin over here." The name kinda
stuck. Dobbin was/is a name used for steady - dependable horses
on farms. (Kind of like.....Buttercup, etc.) So, we've been
calling her Dobbin because she is quiet, listens well, causes
no problems with the other horses (except when Pearl shows interest
in her food.....then Pearl starts screamin at her and Dobbin
pins her ears and herds Pearl away.)
We
do not know if there is a foreign object in the mass on Dobbin's
leg and there is no guarantee that an x-ray would pick up an
object (wood, etc.). Let's all send positive thoughts that the
skin on this mass is healthy enough to heal.
Thank
you ALL for reaching out to help Dobbin. She certainly deserves
it!
12-01-01
pictures:
The
pictures of Dobbin's hock were taken after her leg had been
washed with Betadine Surgical Scrub. There was so much dried
up blood and discharge on her lower leg and hoof that it appeared
as if her lower leg was swollen. After washing her leg off,
it was found that there is no swelling below the mass which
indicates that the mass is contained.
12/7/01
update:
Hi
everyone!
Let
me tell you........Dobbin is a wonderful girl! She is well trained,
polite and a beautiful mover in spite of the problem with her
hock! The "growth" on her hock doesn't impair her
movement, nor does she seem to realize that she has a problem!
I put her in the pasture with Grace so she could move about
a bit and she was running, bucking, kicking, farting with glee!
Okay...here's
the information we received from the vet regarding x-rays:
The
x-rays did NOT show any foreign object(s) imbedded. Our vet
took x-rays from every angle, yet no objects were visible.
The
mass is contained and the bone is NOT involved! (Yeah!!!!!!).
The
initial concern was that if the vet removed the mass, the remaining
skin (after cutting some of it away) would not be healthy enough
to heal properly. Upon further examination, the vet indicated
that he thinks the skin will heal after a surgery is performed.
It will take daily care.
As
to the mass itself.....the vet will not know exactly what it
is unless he does do surgery. It could be a tumor, scar tissue,
etc. He just won't know unless he goes in. Surgery would be
a rather extensive ordeal as there are probably blood vessels
within the mass and he will have to be very careful.
The
vet gave us two options:
1)
Because Dobbin has has this for a long time and it does not
seem to be compromising her system (it is contained), we can
leave it as it is; or
2)Surgery
can be performed and intensive aftercare would be needed.
Because
this mass has two openings that drain when Dobbin moves about,
we think that surgery would be the best option. (Input? What
do you think?) The vet would also do a biopsy when he performs
the surgery in order to establish whether the mass is a tumor,
etc.
So,
we have decided to send Dobbin to the vet's clinic next week
(Thursday) and have the surgery done. The cost of the surgery
will be approximately $350.00 barring complications and a long
stay at the clinic. I will contact June & Jerry of Sunset
Equine Transportion about transporting her to the clinic.
I
have set up my schedule to be available to view the surgery
and to make sure that I will be able to do the aftercare. I
will speak to the vet to find out what type of medications and
bandaging will be needed.
Thank
you all for being there for Dobbin! She is such a lady. A True
Innocent with class!
Update
12/17/01 - Dobbin is at the vet clinic for evaluation/diagnostic
procedures and surgery if that is the best option. A blood panel
was run and a biopsy of the mass will be done sometime this
week.
It
seems evident that the mass has been there for at least a year
or longer! The vet indicated that had this situation been addressed
at the onset, it would not have evolved into the mass it has
now become. If only the people who had owned Dobbin when this
appeared had done something....
But, Dobbin has all of us now and we are all doing as much as
we can.
Many
heartfelt thanks to everyone for being there for Dobbin! Because
of your caring, Dobbin will have a chance to be the best she
can be. Because of YOU!!!
Update
1/2/2002 - Results from the biopsy of the mass on Dobbin's
leg are back from the pathologist.
Lab
results indicate the mass is a localized allergic reaction.
The vet is questioning the pathologist on the results for more
in depth information. It was originally thought that perhaps
the mass was a tumor or cancerous type growth. It is not known
what has caused this allergic reaction. The vet has seen localized
allergic reactions before, but not to this degree.
Surgery
will be scheduled at a later date.
When
I last visited with Dobby she was bright eyed and, as usual,
sweet/loving. We went for a walk together and she was the perfect
lady! This mare is such a kind soul. I still have trouble understanding
why previous owners did not feel it was necessary to care for
her better. I guess I will never understand.
Once
we have more definitive information on her surgery date, I will
let everyone know.
Thank
you to all of you who have been there for Dobbin. Also, thank
you to those that have offered words of encouragement and patience
to us. Although we have been knashing our teeth for information
(want to KNOW right NOW!!), we have absolute faith in our veterinarian,
his expertise, his knowledge and.....his heart. A good and talented
man who actually cares about the welfare of the horses!!
Update
2/14/02 - Dobbin is doing very well after her surgery. Currently,
per instructions from our vet, Nolvasan Cream is being applied
to the surgical site and then wrapped in gauze. We then wrap
cotton sheeting (4 large sheets) over the gauze wrap which is
then followed by vet wrap (in assorted colors of course!). SWAT
fly repellent is being applied below the wrap, on her legs,
face, etc. due to Dobbin being so very allergic to flies. She
is also wearing a netted fly sheet which was donated by Elizabeth.
Thank you Elizabeth!!!!!
The
site is healing well and it won't be much longer before the
wrap can be removed completely. At that time, we will begin
the next stage of healing applications per our vet.
Dobbin
is in good spirits, eating well, shedding (most probably due
to her recent surgery & the warmer days). We are adding
oil & garlic to her feed. (Garlic to help repel flies--Oil
to assist with shedding/dry skin).Prior to surgery, she was
not lame, nor did she favor her leg. This is still the case.
If we left it up to Dobbin, she would be out running around
with the others!!! HA! She will remain in her "shedrow
type" stall (the same one that Precious Gem stayed in when
she was recovering from her surgery), until our vet indicates
she is able to join the others.
Update
5/16/02 - Dobbin is doing wonderfully! (Need to get new
pictures up!) The surgical site on her leg is healing slowly,
but it is looking very good! This mare is absolutely awesome.
She is so personable and loving. She follows us around like
a pocket pony! Through the long term daily care of her leg,
she has been patient and kind. Such a good girl. We are at the
stage of healing where we are using Underwood's Horse Medicine
& Baking Powder with very nice results! No manifestation
of new proud flesh! Recently, she has had another pocket of
infection open up on the inside of her thigh next to her udder.
Depending on how this site responds to medication, etc. surgery
might be indicated. Sigh, as I said earlier, funds are at an
all time low and we still owe $1,500 for the recent acquisition
of a truckload of Timothy/Orchard hay......but, if surgery becomes
necessary we shall most certainly have it done.
Update
12/31/02 - I cannot believe how hard it is for me to write
this. I have been struggling with "How do I begin".
It is so difficult for me to even put this in print as I can
hardly see what I am writing.
The
lovely Arabian mare, Dobbin, is no longer with us. She crossed
the Rainbow Bridge on 12/30/2002.
I
was doing the evening feeding/visiting the horses, and when
I looked up into the area where Dobbin was turned out, I could
not see her. I quickly looked over at the gate to see if it
had been opened as she had been there on my way out to feed.
The gate was closed. I started calling her name and running
over to the turnout area. There, I found Dobbin lying on her
side with her feet against the wire of the pen. My first hope
was that she had become cast......but Dobbin very rarely just
lies down. As I ran to the gate I got that hollow feeling that
is quickly followed by your stomach dropping to the ground.
She was in trouble, her coat was matted with sweat and she was
breathing heavily. I tried to roll her over, couldn't, and ran
to the phone to call the vet. He was in the middle of a complicated
surgery and gave me instructions over the phone on the dosage
of medications.
I
loaded the syringes and ran out to Dobbin.....but she wasn't
there!! I had left the gate open and she had run back to her
stall. I could hear her banging on the walls of her stall and
immediately ran over. She was again lying down, feet to the
walls of the stall and couldn't get up. I quickly administered
the medication, got a rope around her back leg that was on the
ground and flipped her over. She stood and I led her to the
roundpen where there was less chance of me not being able to
roll her over should she go down again.
We
walked. For a long time we walked. I talked and we walked. I
put my head to her forehead and cried. I called to God, to the
other horses, to anything/anyone out there to help her. Whatever
that help might be......but just help her.
Every
two hourse I administered medication and updated the vet. Thank
goodness we had that medication on hand. For that, I thank you
all! Your kindness and generosity enables us to have medication
on hand for emergencies and treatment. Thank you so very much.
She
settled and laid down quietly. I put blankets and coolers in
the clothes dryer to warm them up and covered her sweaty body.
She only got up once to change positions around 1:00 a.m.
When
it was daylight again, I got her up and we walked. I left her
standing in the roundpen as I went about feeding everyone else
and she remained standing. Always facing me as I made my rounds
from horse to horse.
At
some time during the previous night I knew she would be leaving
us. Sometimes you just know. You hope. You cling. You deny.
You cry. You pray for miracles.....yet you know.
The
vet arrived and examined her. He said he could feel loops in
her lower bowel and recommended that we let her go. Surgery
wasn't an option as he felt it was either a twisted bowel that
had ruptured, a stone or the possibility of tumors that had
strangulated her intestine. Her heart rate was high and her
color was very poor.
I
walked away from her and just stood in the center of the roundpen.
I was being overwhelmed by feelings......hopelessness, loss........
And the questions come hammering in......Can she make the ride
to the clinic? Can she make it through surgery? Am I trying
to hold her here for me? Am I doing the right thing? What else
can I do to help her???
I
squatted down and looked at the ground as if it had the answers.
Dobbin walked away from the vet and came to me. She put her
head down and let out a big horsey sigh through her nostrils.
Warm Dobbin breath one more time blowing on my face. Soft, deep
brown, loving eyes one more time looking into mine. She was
tired of fighting. I believe that she was letting me know it
was okay and she was ready. I laid my forehead on hers, put
my hands on either side of that wonderful face and told the
vet "Okay. She wants to go."
As
the vet was getting the injections ready, I took my knife from
my pocket and sectioned off a part of her mane. Dobbin moved
her body into me as I took a lock of her mane. She leaned there,
with her head down until the vet came to release her from this
life. After the injection, she looked at me one more time and
I swear I saw a twinkle in her eye! That wonderful, bright-eyed
look of welcome, recognition, glad to see ya was there for one
last moment and then she turned her head away, laid down and
galloped across the Rainbow Bridge. Tail flagged, legs pumping,
mane flowing, nostrils flared, eyes sparkling, feet dancing
on the wind effortlessly .................Dobbin crossed the
bridge while leaving a trail of love, caring, grace, dignity,
respect, smiles, laughter.......and with her went a piece of
my heart.
Thank
you Dobbin for teaching me. Loving me. Talking to me. Thank
you for you. I miss you so!!