On August 15, 2007, USERL received a call from officials asking assistance for a miniature mare being seized immediately due to her life threatening condition. Transportion was arranged immediately to a USERL clinic. USERL investigators arrived at the shelter and evaluated the small mare. The plan had been to transport her to a private equine hospital for immediate care and treatment. However, the mare was lifeless and unresponsive and obviously needed critical 24 hr. care. Phone calls to the waiting veterinarian confirmed the need, and it was decided to take her to NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine. She was named Sassy because she must have some sass to still be alive in this condition.
August 15, 2007
At NCSU, Sassy was put in isolation due to the possibilities of viral infections that could be contagious to other animals and possibly humans. Both her eyes are ulcerated and infected with damaging scarring on her left. She also has bite wounds on her body and a ear that is damaged and split.
At NCSU, Sassy was put in isolation due to the possibilities of viral infections that could be contagious to other animals and possibly humans. Both her eyes are ulcerated and infected with damaging scarring on her left. She also has bite wounds on her body and a ear that is damaged and split.
August 16, 2007
She was watched carefully overnight and showed little improvement (left). But late this morning, Sassy began to respond to her caregivers and was helped into a sternal position (right). She was then given a small bran mash which she amazingly gobbled down!
She was watched carefully overnight and showed little improvement (left). But late this morning, Sassy began to respond to her caregivers and was helped into a sternal position (right). She was then given a small bran mash which she amazingly gobbled down!
August 17, 2007
Sassy was moved out of isolation since infectious virals have been ruled out as a cause for her condition. She cannot regulate her own glucose levels at this time, so is on an IV Infusion pump to regulate it. Her left eye ruptured today due to the ongoing infection. Thankfully, her right eye should respond to treatment and heal fine. Sassy still cannot regulate her own glucose, but it is hopeful that she will start regulating it herself once she has regular meals for several days. She's improving daily, standing for 5 minutes this morning! Updates will be posted daily during her intensive care.
Sassy was moved out of isolation since infectious virals have been ruled out as a cause for her condition. She cannot regulate her own glucose levels at this time, so is on an IV Infusion pump to regulate it. Her left eye ruptured today due to the ongoing infection. Thankfully, her right eye should respond to treatment and heal fine. Sassy still cannot regulate her own glucose, but it is hopeful that she will start regulating it herself once she has regular meals for several days. She's improving daily, standing for 5 minutes this morning! Updates will be posted daily during her intensive care.
August 18, 2007
Sassy is holding her own with no improvement nor decline in her condition. She is still eating great and sitting up sternal for spaces of time before laying out for naps. Her glucose levels are still up and down, but not as much as the previous day. She is now on IV nutrition as well, which should also help with her glucose levels over the next few days.
Thank you to the the clinicians, staff and students of NCSU! They are wonderful with their care of Sassy.
Sassy is holding her own with no improvement nor decline in her condition. She is still eating great and sitting up sternal for spaces of time before laying out for naps. Her glucose levels are still up and down, but not as much as the previous day. She is now on IV nutrition as well, which should also help with her glucose levels over the next few days.
Thank you to the the clinicians, staff and students of NCSU! They are wonderful with their care of Sassy.
August 19, 2007:
Sassy started out with a good day, but then became painful by midday. It was feared she was colicking, but It ended up being a small impaction of her bowel (constipation) and resolved with enemas. Even after all the drama, Sassy was assisted to a sternal position and demanded food! Her endearing perseverance and nickers for attention continue to grab onto to all who meet her.
At left, a USERL volunteer, Elizabeth Honeycutt, holds Sassy's head up for the numerous eye meds needed to fight the infections in both her eyes. Elizabeth came by to visit with Sassy for a few hours and ended up staying 8 hours during the colic scare. Thank you Elizabeth!!
Sassy started out with a good day, but then became painful by midday. It was feared she was colicking, but It ended up being a small impaction of her bowel (constipation) and resolved with enemas. Even after all the drama, Sassy was assisted to a sternal position and demanded food! Her endearing perseverance and nickers for attention continue to grab onto to all who meet her.
At left, a USERL volunteer, Elizabeth Honeycutt, holds Sassy's head up for the numerous eye meds needed to fight the infections in both her eyes. Elizabeth came by to visit with Sassy for a few hours and ended up staying 8 hours during the colic scare. Thank you Elizabeth!!
August 20, 2007:
Another good day began for Sassy today. When I visited with her she was, as usual, sitting sternal and eating her "mush" - a good recovery from her ordeal yesterday. Others also dropped by to check on her and found her alert and responsive. However, at the end of the day she was, again, in distress. I have not heard any news tonight (which no news is good news), so we are hopeful it is once again a small setback in her recovery.
Another complication today was her right eye. Her left eye is already lost to the infection, but her right eye - although in serious condition - was thought to be salvagable. Today it shows signs of increased fluid from the infection. Our fingers are crossed that she doesn't lose this eye as well.
Another good day began for Sassy today. When I visited with her she was, as usual, sitting sternal and eating her "mush" - a good recovery from her ordeal yesterday. Others also dropped by to check on her and found her alert and responsive. However, at the end of the day she was, again, in distress. I have not heard any news tonight (which no news is good news), so we are hopeful it is once again a small setback in her recovery.
Another complication today was her right eye. Her left eye is already lost to the infection, but her right eye - although in serious condition - was thought to be salvagable. Today it shows signs of increased fluid from the infection. Our fingers are crossed that she doesn't lose this eye as well.
Sassy's Road to Recovery - Page 1
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