Copyright © United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. All rights reserved.
NC Triangle Region
February 10, 2011:
USERL was contacted by an owner, as well as the veterinarian, about a miniature horse in need. The owner could not provide adequate veterinary care for a wire fence injury that had occurred last summer. He was in great pain and non-weight bearing on the injured leg. The owners were willing to donate him to USERL for evaluation for treatment or humane euthanasia.
The mini was picked up and transported to a USERL foster rehab/quarantine farm for evaluation. The old injury was very painful and full of infection. The wound was soaked, cleaned and bandaged and the mini was started on antibiotics and pain management meds. An appointment for ultrasound and radiographs was scheduled for Monday with our attending vet to fully evaluate the injury at their equine hospital.
Now name "Wee Biscuit", the mini responded to care over the weekend in preparation of his diagnostic appt. Monday, getting much more active and alittle more comfortable. On Monday, he was transported to the clinic and, amazingly, it was found that wire is still wrapped around the hind cannon bone. The skin had healed around it, as well as the bone. This certainly explained Wee Biscuit's intense pain.
The wire also damaged tendons when the injury occurred. It appears the tendons he must have for some use of the leg have escaped irreparable harm or have healed and repaired - although he will certainly never have 100% use of that leg again due to scar tissue. Since as a mini, Wee Biscuit isn't expected to have a performance job beyond being cute, and his small size reduces risk of injury/complications to his other good hind leg, it was decided to take him to NCSU - College of Veterinary Medicine to discuss surgery options and if that option will possibly give Wee Biscuit a quality life for his future (no future pain or minimal discomfort and some use of the leg). Their findings were both favorable, and unknown. Removal of the wire will be tricky without causing more damage, but is possible and will resolve most or all of the pain. His young age (1 year old) and small size are favorable for a good recovery. But with no previous cases like this for comparison it is unknown how he will heal and recover in terms of mobility (although it looks favorable that he will have some use as he has started to use that leg alittle during the week at the rehab barn).
After consultation between our attending vet at Neuse River Equine and the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, surgery has been scheduled for Wee Biscuit Wednesday morning at the Vet School to give him a chance at recovery and a quality life.
USERL was contacted by an owner, as well as the veterinarian, about a miniature horse in need. The owner could not provide adequate veterinary care for a wire fence injury that had occurred last summer. He was in great pain and non-weight bearing on the injured leg. The owners were willing to donate him to USERL for evaluation for treatment or humane euthanasia.
The mini was picked up and transported to a USERL foster rehab/quarantine farm for evaluation. The old injury was very painful and full of infection. The wound was soaked, cleaned and bandaged and the mini was started on antibiotics and pain management meds. An appointment for ultrasound and radiographs was scheduled for Monday with our attending vet to fully evaluate the injury at their equine hospital.
Now name "Wee Biscuit", the mini responded to care over the weekend in preparation of his diagnostic appt. Monday, getting much more active and alittle more comfortable. On Monday, he was transported to the clinic and, amazingly, it was found that wire is still wrapped around the hind cannon bone. The skin had healed around it, as well as the bone. This certainly explained Wee Biscuit's intense pain.
The wire also damaged tendons when the injury occurred. It appears the tendons he must have for some use of the leg have escaped irreparable harm or have healed and repaired - although he will certainly never have 100% use of that leg again due to scar tissue. Since as a mini, Wee Biscuit isn't expected to have a performance job beyond being cute, and his small size reduces risk of injury/complications to his other good hind leg, it was decided to take him to NCSU - College of Veterinary Medicine to discuss surgery options and if that option will possibly give Wee Biscuit a quality life for his future (no future pain or minimal discomfort and some use of the leg). Their findings were both favorable, and unknown. Removal of the wire will be tricky without causing more damage, but is possible and will resolve most or all of the pain. His young age (1 year old) and small size are favorable for a good recovery. But with no previous cases like this for comparison it is unknown how he will heal and recover in terms of mobility (although it looks favorable that he will have some use as he has started to use that leg alittle during the week at the rehab barn).
After consultation between our attending vet at Neuse River Equine and the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, surgery has been scheduled for Wee Biscuit Wednesday morning at the Vet School to give him a chance at recovery and a quality life.
Because Wee Biscuit's outcome is unknown, we need to fundraise specifically for him so that our general funds can continue to care for other horses already in our program. USERL has a small grant to cover some of the costs, but much more is needed.
Update March 5, 2011:
All Funds for Wee Biscuit have been raised! Thank you to those that donated to give him a second chance. There are many other horses needing assistance like Wee. If you would like to make a donation to our horse program to help others, click here to go to a secure online donation page on the main userl.org site.
Or a check can be mailed to:
USERL
9660 Falls of Neuse Road
Suite 138 Box 300
Raleigh, NC 27615
Update March 5, 2011:
All Funds for Wee Biscuit have been raised! Thank you to those that donated to give him a second chance. There are many other horses needing assistance like Wee. If you would like to make a donation to our horse program to help others, click here to go to a secure online donation page on the main userl.org site.
Or a check can be mailed to:
USERL
9660 Falls of Neuse Road
Suite 138 Box 300
Raleigh, NC 27615
Update! February 23, 2011:
Wee Biscuit is out of surgery and they were able to remove the wire successfully without causing any damage to any structures. He was recovering well and nosing for food shortly after waking up from anesthesia. The wire had to be cut to be removed and a small amount of bone shaved to be able to remove it - but much easier than anticipated (although obviously it wasn't easy to get it out).
A huge thank you to NCSU Vet School and the team of vets and techs that have been caring for him! And to Neuse River Equine Hospital! Wee Biscuit will be discharged tomorrow if all is still going well and will return to a rehab farm to heal.
Wee Biscuit is out of surgery and they were able to remove the wire successfully without causing any damage to any structures. He was recovering well and nosing for food shortly after waking up from anesthesia. The wire had to be cut to be removed and a small amount of bone shaved to be able to remove it - but much easier than anticipated (although obviously it wasn't easy to get it out).
A huge thank you to NCSU Vet School and the team of vets and techs that have been caring for him! And to Neuse River Equine Hospital! Wee Biscuit will be discharged tomorrow if all is still going well and will return to a rehab farm to heal.
Wee Biscuit upon arrival to USERL on February 10th. This is how he held his leg all the time, not allowing it to touch the ground due to the severe pain.
Wee Biscuit on February 12th with a well-padded bandage. The bandage helped his mobility quite a bit, but because he had wire still inside his leg (unknown to us at the time), it aggravated the leg and was removed.
Above, Wee Biscuit noses around for alittle hay they were giving him shortly after recovering from anesthesia. He appears bright and alert.
Right, the wire that was removed from inside his leg. It was cut in two places so it could be removed safely.
Right, the wire that was removed from inside his leg. It was cut in two places so it could be removed safely.
February 24, 2011:
Wee Biscuit is back at the USERL rehab farm and doing very well! His bandage change this morning at the vet school showed that his surgical sites are doing good. He still wasn't using the leg this morning, but upon discharge as he was being walked out of the hospital to the trailer - Wee Biscuit began using it and hasn't stopped since! Although still not out of the woods as far as how much mobility he will have, it looks like he will definitely have enough to have a quality life.
The total bill for all the work done on him since his arrival is at just under $2,000. Many have donated for Wee Biscuit's recovery to cover his care, but more is needed! USERL, and Wee Biscuit especially, are grateful to those that have sponsored his surgery and care to give him a second chance!
A heartfelt thank you to Neuse River Equine Hospital for all they do for the USERL horses, and the NCSU Vet School for their great services. We are blessed to have these resources in the Triangle Region to assist horses in need. Below is a photo of most of the "Wee Team" at NCSU - what fantastic care they provided to Wee! Thank you, "Wee Team"!
At Left: NCSU Wee Team (clockwise starting at top left): Sarah Morgan (Anesthesia Tech), Kobi Berger (Soft Tissue Clinical Tech), Dr. Grace Hale (Wee's Resident Surgeon), and Christine Long (4th year vet student in charge of Wee's case). Also on NCSU Wee Team, but not in the photo is Dr. Gerard and Dr. Redding.
Wee Biscuit is back at the USERL rehab farm and doing very well! His bandage change this morning at the vet school showed that his surgical sites are doing good. He still wasn't using the leg this morning, but upon discharge as he was being walked out of the hospital to the trailer - Wee Biscuit began using it and hasn't stopped since! Although still not out of the woods as far as how much mobility he will have, it looks like he will definitely have enough to have a quality life.
The total bill for all the work done on him since his arrival is at just under $2,000. Many have donated for Wee Biscuit's recovery to cover his care, but more is needed! USERL, and Wee Biscuit especially, are grateful to those that have sponsored his surgery and care to give him a second chance!
A heartfelt thank you to Neuse River Equine Hospital for all they do for the USERL horses, and the NCSU Vet School for their great services. We are blessed to have these resources in the Triangle Region to assist horses in need. Below is a photo of most of the "Wee Team" at NCSU - what fantastic care they provided to Wee! Thank you, "Wee Team"!
At Left: NCSU Wee Team (clockwise starting at top left): Sarah Morgan (Anesthesia Tech), Kobi Berger (Soft Tissue Clinical Tech), Dr. Grace Hale (Wee's Resident Surgeon), and Christine Long (4th year vet student in charge of Wee's case). Also on NCSU Wee Team, but not in the photo is Dr. Gerard and Dr. Redding.
A short video showing Wee Biscuit before and after surgery.
February 28, 2011:
Wee Biscuit is doing great. He's moving well, tolerating the bandage changes and acting like a typical 1 yr old mini - naughty but manageable! Incredible change since he arrived.
Photo updates coming soon!
Wee Biscuit is doing great. He's moving well, tolerating the bandage changes and acting like a typical 1 yr old mini - naughty but manageable! Incredible change since he arrived.
Photo updates coming soon!
March 1, 2011:
Wee Biscuit is still doing very well. The open debrided area in the back of the leg continues to look good, free of infection. And he is using the leg regularly, only very occasionally picking it up to avoid pain. It will take weeks of bandaging until the area is closed up and healed. He bucks, rears, trots and runs with all four hooves (as much as allowed on a lead line; he's supposed to be restricted in his activity but no one can get him to understand that). Hard to tell a young mini that even though he feels much better - he still can't run and play.
A photographer, Abbie Cooke of Chariot Creative Inc., who donates her services to USERL came by on Saturday to visit Wee and the others at the rehab farm. Abbie is a very talented photographer that gives her time to USERL and small animal rescues to portray the animals and their true personality. USERL - NC Triangle Region thanks Abbie for her charitable services to help the horses! Below are photos from her visit with Wee Biscuit. Enjoy!
Wee Biscuit is still doing very well. The open debrided area in the back of the leg continues to look good, free of infection. And he is using the leg regularly, only very occasionally picking it up to avoid pain. It will take weeks of bandaging until the area is closed up and healed. He bucks, rears, trots and runs with all four hooves (as much as allowed on a lead line; he's supposed to be restricted in his activity but no one can get him to understand that). Hard to tell a young mini that even though he feels much better - he still can't run and play.
A photographer, Abbie Cooke of Chariot Creative Inc., who donates her services to USERL came by on Saturday to visit Wee and the others at the rehab farm. Abbie is a very talented photographer that gives her time to USERL and small animal rescues to portray the animals and their true personality. USERL - NC Triangle Region thanks Abbie for her charitable services to help the horses! Below are photos from her visit with Wee Biscuit. Enjoy!
Above: Wee Biscuit enjoys a roll in the dry leaves.
Below Left: After rolling, he looks around to see if anyone is watching.
Below Right: And then Wee Biscuit decided it was time to race!
Below Left: After rolling, he looks around to see if anyone is watching.
Below Right: And then Wee Biscuit decided it was time to race!
To those that have donated to Wee Biscuit's care and recovery, thank you! Donations are still needed to cover his veterinary expenses to date. It is also expected that he will need funds for more bandage material and meds to complete his rehab. If you are interested in sponsoring for his care, click the paypal link below:
or checks can be mailed to:
USERL - Wee Biscuit Fund
9660 Falls of Neuse Road
Suite 138 Box 300
Raleigh, NC 27615
or checks can be mailed to:
USERL - Wee Biscuit Fund
9660 Falls of Neuse Road
Suite 138 Box 300
Raleigh, NC 27615
March 3, 2011:
Wee Biscuit is doing very good and wishes to thank his many supporters! Thank you cards from USERL and Wee Biscuit are being mailed out this week. We still need alittle more to cover his cost of surgery and postoperative care. See above update for donation information for Wee Biscuit.
Photos of his surgical site were sent to the surgeon at NC State and they are very pleased at the healing, and happy to hear he's weight bearing on the leg and using it. Wee still has a long road to recovery to heal the open incision on the back of the leg and hopefully regain even more use of his leg, but he's feeling great and his future is very hopeful!
Wee Biscuit is doing very good and wishes to thank his many supporters! Thank you cards from USERL and Wee Biscuit are being mailed out this week. We still need alittle more to cover his cost of surgery and postoperative care. See above update for donation information for Wee Biscuit.
Photos of his surgical site were sent to the surgeon at NC State and they are very pleased at the healing, and happy to hear he's weight bearing on the leg and using it. Wee still has a long road to recovery to heal the open incision on the back of the leg and hopefully regain even more use of his leg, but he's feeling great and his future is very hopeful!
March 5, 2011:
All funds needed to cover Wee Biscuit's diagnostics, surgery and post-op care have been raised! Thank you to all his many supporters for your donations! Wee continues to do very well in his post-op recovery: active, mischievous and enjoying his new leg. Work has started on getting the hoof on that leg back in good shape. It was very long, and contracted due to him not weight-bearing on it for so long. Work will need to be done in stages to slowly correct it.
Updates will be posted several times a week as Wee's rehab progresses. Thanks to all!
All funds needed to cover Wee Biscuit's diagnostics, surgery and post-op care have been raised! Thank you to all his many supporters for your donations! Wee continues to do very well in his post-op recovery: active, mischievous and enjoying his new leg. Work has started on getting the hoof on that leg back in good shape. It was very long, and contracted due to him not weight-bearing on it for so long. Work will need to be done in stages to slowly correct it.
Updates will be posted several times a week as Wee's rehab progresses. Thanks to all!
Wee Biscuit is curious about everything!
March 10, 2011: Post-op follow up!
Dr. Bob Meyer of Neuse River Equine came for Wee Biscuit's post-op follow up today. Wee is doing great! Surgery incision in back of leg and on the side are healing very nicely, so nicely that all meds can now be discontinued and a shorter bandage used for maybe just another week. Wee was sedated for corrective hoof trimming to get his hoof back in order after non-use for over 6 months. Now with a shorter bandage and new hoof, he will be able to strengthen his fetlock and get his leg even stronger. One week of small paddock turnout and then turnout in a larger paddock. Wee, of course, thinks he just fine already and ready to face the world. It won't be much longer...
The weather today was nasty with the rain/storms, so a video of his current walking, trotting, etc. will be done in the coming days when it's dryer outside.
Dr. Bob Meyer of Neuse River Equine came for Wee Biscuit's post-op follow up today. Wee is doing great! Surgery incision in back of leg and on the side are healing very nicely, so nicely that all meds can now be discontinued and a shorter bandage used for maybe just another week. Wee was sedated for corrective hoof trimming to get his hoof back in order after non-use for over 6 months. Now with a shorter bandage and new hoof, he will be able to strengthen his fetlock and get his leg even stronger. One week of small paddock turnout and then turnout in a larger paddock. Wee, of course, thinks he just fine already and ready to face the world. It won't be much longer...
The weather today was nasty with the rain/storms, so a video of his current walking, trotting, etc. will be done in the coming days when it's dryer outside.
March 10, 2011: Photos of his leg and the healing of the incision in the back of the leg. The large back incision was left open to granulate in to heal. The small incision on the side healed very quickly and the stitches were removed from that location today as well.
Wee says "Thank You" to Dr. Bob Meyers for his visit and new hoof he got today!