Willow started choking 15 minutes before Michael arrived at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital to pick her up. They had her sedated and were in the process of scoping her with a tube and camera when he walked in....
I am praying that somehow they will find a reason and solution to her choking issues, but I really doubt it since she has been scoped before... I can't believe this is happening. And poor Michael will either have to come all the way home without her or stay in a hotel...
Either way, Willow is not coming home tonight... I feel so sad. :(
Showing posts with label rood and riddle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rood and riddle. Show all posts
February 28, 2013
February 25, 2013
Willow's X-rays and update!
Dr. Ruggles from Rood & Riddle just called with an update on Willow. They were able to get some good x-rays this morning, and he said they look great! I can't believe she has a plate and 12 screws (and around 50 staples) in her leg! But so thankful she does... They also sent video of her walking outside over to the Radiology building! She's walking so beautifully!!!
And here are the X-rays... like Nancy just said to me, "My, she sure has a lot of hardware!"
So tomorrow, they will do some bloodwork and take her off the anti-biotics. They'll see how she does and monitor her closely for a few more days. She has to wear a bib because she tries to get at her bandage (and better safe than sorry).... and we'll have to pad her stall with straw to prepare for her arrival. She'll stay on pain meds, bute, and ulcer prevention meds for a while, and a couple weeks post-op, she will have all those staples taken out (Dr. Kimmons will be tending to her here then). And then 2 months stall rest (still trying to figure out a plan to survive that), one month small pasture only after that... It takes 4 months for this to completely heal. All the while, we'll still be trying to treat the EPM, maintain her success with swallowing (no - choking), ulcers, and trying to get her weight up. It's a lot... and a bit overwhelming... but we can do it!! ♥ Dr. Ruggles said she might be able to come home Thursday!!! :)
And here are the X-rays... like Nancy just said to me, "My, she sure has a lot of hardware!"
February 23, 2013
Nancy's visit...
I'm to touched that Nancy went to visit Willow. They hadn't see each other in five years, and I just know that Willow was comforted to see her again. Nancy has been heartbroken since she learned that the people she sold her Friesians to had neglected them so badly, and Nancy was planning to come to see Willow soon at our place. Nancy is such a lovely person and has been so supportive to me throughout Willow's rescue. As I've written before, she even sent me beautiful photographs and video of Willow (Leona) in her younger days of glory.
Anyway, this is how Nancy describes her visit with Willow (just shortly after her surgery):
To tell you the truth, I thought I would see a broken soul and when I didn't I was so overjoyed, I hardly cried. Yes, her body has changed and she has some gray hair over her eyes, but the Queen still lives. I was so thrilled when she didn't NEED me to comfort her. She recognized me and we cuddled for a few minutes and then the Queen said, "Don't be sorry, don't be sad, I AM NOT TO BE PITIED, I AM THE QUEEN! It is unbelievable to me, this horse has been through so much, and is still queen of all her domain. I am thrilled beyond words...she is exactly the same Leona. I know you have given her that strength, when she could not have gone on...I am forever grateful. ♥
And more from Nancy:
She is still so thin and fragile looking but the blaze in her eyes and the queenly attitude are all still there and going strong. Many healthy Friesians don't make it to age 18, and here is Willow, after all of life's challenges, and now major surgery and she still hold her head up high and know she is the Queen. Some one made the comment, "Willow is lucky to be in the same hospital as Rachel Alexander". Shana and I both agree, Willow thinks Rachel A is lucky to be in the same hospital as she. This is truly one of the most amazing animals I have ever met...she has more heart than one can even imagine. I am sure that heart has been filled with so much love, by Shana, and that is why she is still so strong.
It is true... Willow is so stoic, so strong and dignified and so proud. Nancy told me that she cried when she hugged Willow for a while, but then Willow looked at her as if to say, "Okay enough of that. Pull yourself together, I'll be just fine." And then Willow walked over to the other side of her hospital stall to look out the window. Yes, stoic is the perfect word to describe this amazing horse. She is so strong, and I still have so much to learn from her. I'm so happy she will still have the chance to teach me.
Anyway, this is how Nancy describes her visit with Willow (just shortly after her surgery):
To tell you the truth, I thought I would see a broken soul and when I didn't I was so overjoyed, I hardly cried. Yes, her body has changed and she has some gray hair over her eyes, but the Queen still lives. I was so thrilled when she didn't NEED me to comfort her. She recognized me and we cuddled for a few minutes and then the Queen said, "Don't be sorry, don't be sad, I AM NOT TO BE PITIED, I AM THE QUEEN! It is unbelievable to me, this horse has been through so much, and is still queen of all her domain. I am thrilled beyond words...she is exactly the same Leona. I know you have given her that strength, when she could not have gone on...I am forever grateful. ♥
And more from Nancy:
She is still so thin and fragile looking but the blaze in her eyes and the queenly attitude are all still there and going strong. Many healthy Friesians don't make it to age 18, and here is Willow, after all of life's challenges, and now major surgery and she still hold her head up high and know she is the Queen. Some one made the comment, "Willow is lucky to be in the same hospital as Rachel Alexander". Shana and I both agree, Willow thinks Rachel A is lucky to be in the same hospital as she. This is truly one of the most amazing animals I have ever met...she has more heart than one can even imagine. I am sure that heart has been filled with so much love, by Shana, and that is why she is still so strong.
It is true... Willow is so stoic, so strong and dignified and so proud. Nancy told me that she cried when she hugged Willow for a while, but then Willow looked at her as if to say, "Okay enough of that. Pull yourself together, I'll be just fine." And then Willow walked over to the other side of her hospital stall to look out the window. Yes, stoic is the perfect word to describe this amazing horse. She is so strong, and I still have so much to learn from her. I'm so happy she will still have the chance to teach me.
February 22, 2013
Willow Update (Friday)
My day keeps getting better and better... :)
First I heard from Dr. Ruggles. So far so good, but he will know more on Monday when they are able to get some good x-rays. He said she's eating well and comfortable! She has a metal plate and 12 screws holding her elbow together, and she is still on bute and antibiotics. So glad to hear that she is still doing well!
Then I got an email from Rood & Riddle's fabulous Public Relations Manger, Alex Riddle! He sent these photos of my sweet girl...
Side note:
Willow would be horrified to know that I posted these photos of her looking so disheveled... so please don't tell her! ;) But of course, I think she looks beautiful... Alive and beautiful!! ♥
By the way, they were able to get her exact weight which is sadly still only 960 pounds. You can see how thin she still is in the photo below on the right...
My guess though is that she was only 800 pounds when I got her and probably only 700 when Leah first picked her up from that abandoned farm. :( Makes me sick to think about it... anyway, the good news is that she has gained and will continue to gain weight. Though her condition will be harder to manage with her recovering from a broken leg, we will do everything we can for her as always. ♥
Thank you Rood & Riddle!!
And THEN, Alex sent me video!!!! Check out my fighter... already walking!!! She stumbles a couple of times & I cried because it looked like she was in pain, but Martha saw the video and reassured me that she looks great and better than she had expected! I feel like it's a total miracle!
So grateful!!!
First I heard from Dr. Ruggles. So far so good, but he will know more on Monday when they are able to get some good x-rays. He said she's eating well and comfortable! She has a metal plate and 12 screws holding her elbow together, and she is still on bute and antibiotics. So glad to hear that she is still doing well!
Then I got an email from Rood & Riddle's fabulous Public Relations Manger, Alex Riddle! He sent these photos of my sweet girl...
Willow would be horrified to know that I posted these photos of her looking so disheveled... so please don't tell her! ;) But of course, I think she looks beautiful... Alive and beautiful!! ♥
By the way, they were able to get her exact weight which is sadly still only 960 pounds. You can see how thin she still is in the photo below on the right...
My guess though is that she was only 800 pounds when I got her and probably only 700 when Leah first picked her up from that abandoned farm. :( Makes me sick to think about it... anyway, the good news is that she has gained and will continue to gain weight. Though her condition will be harder to manage with her recovering from a broken leg, we will do everything we can for her as always. ♥
Thank you Rood & Riddle!!
And THEN, Alex sent me video!!!! Check out my fighter... already walking!!! She stumbles a couple of times & I cried because it looked like she was in pain, but Martha saw the video and reassured me that she looks great and better than she had expected! I feel like it's a total miracle!
So grateful!!!
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