Little Callie came into this world unexpectedly. Lady, Callie's mom was a birthday gift for my granddaughter, and although she was a wonderful addition to our family we had no idea when we purchased her that she was actually pregnant.
On the morning of Columbus Day, October 8th Callie was discovered in the stall during morning feeding at the barn where her mother was boarded. Callie was a surprise to say the least, and although we weren't prepared for another addition we could not just sit back and let Callie die.
From the moment poor Callie came into this world she has been up against one obstacle after another. When Callie was discovered her first time mom did not know what to do with her. Callie's mom had no milk and neither would she let Callie some near her to nurse. In addition to being born to a mother with no milk Callie was also born premature. Callie's first hours in this world consisted of us trying to locate her some colostrum (baby's first milk). This was not easy as this was not a typical time for a horse to deliver a baby. Callie also needed to have a transfusion due to the lack of milk from her mother, as well as not knowing how long it had been from the time she was born. Despite Callie's mom being on medication to improve milk production she continues to have low milk output which has made Callie's care consist of careful monitoring of supplementing with milk replacer and trying to get her to start to nibbling milk pellets.
And if being premature, and the complications that surround that weren't enough, in less then 48 hrs Callie developed Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome (dummy foal) which caused her to not be able to nurse at all due to issues they experience in their brain. Poor Callie then had to go onto IV fluids, multiple antibiotics, and had to have a tube placed from her nose into her stomach so that we could feed her milk replacer. In addition to her many problems Callie also developed a severe infection in her leg. Infections are common among premature and sick foals but Callie developed a rather nasty infection in one of her legs which caused her to lose a large portion of the skin on her leg thereby exposing the tissue underneath. Callie now has to undergo daily debridement as well as bandage changes on her leg to try to get her infection under control. Despite all her set backs little Callie is a fighter so we feel we must fight with her. If you could meet Callie you would fall in love with her as we all did and realize she should be given a chance at life.
Although a fabulous unexpected gift, unfortunately due to Callie's premature birth she suffers many complications. My granddaughter and I, as well as her aunt have been taking turns caring for Callie 24 hours a day since her birth!
Veterinarian Sandy Fatone, owner of "Mid Hudson Equine of Highland" has been our life saving guardian! https://www.facebook.com/Mid-Hudson-Equine-of-Highland/ Not only for her personal visits for care all hours of the day and nite but Sandy also graciously relocated Lady and baby Callie to Mid Hudson Equine of Highland for closer observations & treatments, as well as to lower some cost involved in daily farm visits for Callie.
Current status is hour by hour as poor Callie is fighting a life threating infection in her leg.
We would appreciate any donations to help for her mounting bills. Please know that no donation is to small. With the rising vet bills and continued care we have been forced to ask for help so that this little lady can continue to have a chance at life. Little Callie is a fighter, help us to help her fight for her life.
Any donations we receive beyond what is needed for her care will be donated to 2 local horse rescues in our area, The Kaeli Kramer Foundation and Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary which both can be found on Facebook.
We are running this Facebook fundrazr simultaneously with a Go Fund Me fundraiser for anyone who prefers to donate to one site over the other.
God Bless you all, and thanking you in advance for any help to save Callie!
