Vet on the way...

Dr. Kimmons is on his way here again... Willow is not doing well.  She is in so much pain. When she's not laying down, she just shifts her feet back and forth...  we have her back in her stall with extra padding, and her padded soft boots on, but Martha fears she has laminitis...  

Should know more soon...    I'm so cold and so tired and so sad... 

Willow Update

My beautiful Willow just one day before she broke her leg...  I remember watching her with a huge smile on my face... thinking how amazing she looked and how far she had come. We finally seemed to be beyond the daily choking struggles, and her weight gain was so noticeable.  I still cannot believe this has happened...

So today Willow is much brighter than yesterday.  She is still laying down a lot, but I think she just needs to get off her feet and rest.  She is eating better (still not enough), and she just seems more alert and in less pain. 

Dr. Kimmons and Martha came this morning to check on Willow, give Charlie & Paloma their shots/coggins and to meet the Gypsy Prince.  We still haven't named him, but that's what the kids have been calling him.  As usual, Willow was an excellent patient.  The Prince, however, was quite naughty and really went a little crazy... nearly knocking Dr. Kimmons & assistant over...  Martha got tough (she's so brave) with him, and then he settled down.  We just don't know enough about his history before his last owner (who only had him a year) to know what he's been through. But we've heard that quite possibly a man had been too rough with him (so sad to hear that).  He's really a sweet boy...

So the plan is for Willow to receive all her meds (except the EPM, probiotics, oils, supplements, etc.) through injection as to not ruin her appetite.  So far, it seems to be helping... we'll see.  In any case, she is just so much better, and I truly appreciate all of the kind words, support, love prayers.   I just know that Willow is a very special horse... not because she's a Friesian or a rescue... and not because she is drop dead gorgeous (because she is)... :)   But I just know there is a greater purpose for her....  her life and struggles and our journey together.  I'm not one to believe in fate or destiny, yet this journey seems somehow that it was meant to be. 

The question remains, though... why?

Diagnosis...

Martha called today... she said she had just heard some news from Dr. Hawthorne.  Willow tested positive for EPM.  Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is debilitating disease cause by a protozoal infection of the central nervous system of horses. This would explain Willow's severe muscle loss and atrophy (which was worsened by her neglect) and probably other issues she has as well... maybe even her choking.  She has already started treatment which will last for 3 months.  She will also be supplemented with Vitamin E and Selenium (in addition to everything else we have her on).  The accupuncture and Myofascial therapy should help too.  We are avoiding the most aggressive treatments at this time, simply because Willow is so frail, and her immune system so weak.  Martha, Dr. Hawthorne, and Dr. Kimmons all remain hopeful that Willow can recover from this... that next year, she will be a different horse (to which I always say, I don't want a different horse... just a healthy one). ♥

The good news is, though it appears she has had EPM for a long time, Willow has soft, kind, bright eyes. Miraculously, she isn't spooky or distant like so many affected horses are. Yes, she is a sweetheart, but she is also a fighter... ♥

Episode #3

Dr. Kimmons came out to meet Willow today.  While Dr. Hawthorne has examined her and has been testing and treating her, Dr. Kimmons is our normal vet and we adore him.  We really just wanted Willow under his care as well.  We all arrived at the same time.  It was still early morning, and Martha had kept Willow in her stall for us.  As I pulled her door open, she walked right toward us and coughed directly into poor Dr. Kimmon's face (he was such a good sport though.. and he still called her "sweetheart".  It was clear to me right away... was choking again. :(   Three times in her first week with us (could be more times that we weren't around to see).  Dr. Kimmons told me how sweet and beautiful she indeed was, but that she needed to gain at least 300 pounds.  He said that the therapies she was receiving were good, but that likely she would have this condition for the rest of her life....

Bad Day #2 & Team Willow

I drove with Michael this afternoon to spend some time with Willow at Martha's farm.  As we were pulling up to the barn, Martha called my cell phone. "Your girl is really struggling, Shana..."  I quickly interrupted her to tell her we were there.  It was raining and nearly dark inside the barn.  We walked toward her stall to find Martha and one of her boarders, Laurie, inside with Willow.  Laurie seemed to be assisting Martha, and they explained that Willow was again choking and struggling to swallow.  It had been 4 days since her last episode, and this one lasted even longer.  I tried so hard not to cry, and sweet Laurie left Willow for a minute to come give me a hug.  Though we had just met, she could tell I needed one...  I was just so disappointed and discouraged.  I remember our other vet Dr. Kimmons explaining that mnny horses with "choke" have bad episodes maybe 2 or 3 times a year.  This was two in less than a week. Although now we are all thinking that she doesn't have typical "choke"... that is may be something quite different. So much about Willow is a mystery...

Laurie looked at me intently and told me how much she loved Willow and then she thanked me for saving her. It always feels a bit strange to be thanked, as I feel I am the lucky one... and also, I am certainly not doing this alone.  There are so many wonderful people with me on "Team Willow" (as I like to call it)...  Michael, Martha, Dr. Hawthorne, Dr. Kimmons, Mascha, Laurie, Lynde, Leah & Mark, and all the others at the barn who stop by to say hi or hug her, and certainly everyone who is praying for her and supporting me with well wishes, advice, and encouragement.   Thank you. ♥