On 10-24-12 Ohana brought in a family of four horses..two that we spoke of often, two that we did not. The two that we did not speak of had very serious medical issues. Issues that we knew were something that Ohana had NEVER dealt with before. Our doc examined both the horses and we spoke in length about what the prognosis was. We spoke in length to both Ocala Equine Medical Center and UF about these two horses. Both professional centers telling us just about the same. Ohana knew in its heart, that these two horses would most likely be going over the rainbow bridge. I started feeding them happily, trying to get them healthy. You see when they came in, they were in terrible shape, skin and bones. As I started to get them healthier weight wise, the serious medical issues were getting worse, the bags were getting bigger and hanging lower....So quietly I started feeding them very carefully. They could get enough to maintain, but not get fatter. Their ribs started to disappear, but their stomachs were actually hanging out of the bottom of their stomach in a bag type hernia. Damn if I did, damn if I didnt. Ohana suffered quietly. The two horses were eating, getting love, but could not play with the other horses, for fear that they would scratch their bags open hanging from their stomachs. Their bowels and intestines were living in this bag. We were able to get the monies to have the two horses brought to Ocala to have them peacefully go to the rainbow bridge. We were in hopes that perhaps the one with the smaller bag would be able to be saved.
When we arrived at the medical center early this morning, I signed the papers to have them euthanized. It was a sad morning, with a heavy heart, we drove them to the surgery barn at the center. Dr Arik was awaiting our arrival. We spoke in length with him about perhaps giving the one horse a chance. It was already set in our hearts that the one was going to have to be put to rest, but both??? Dr Arik stated for us to relax, and let him and his staff run some tests, and lets see just what can be done for the two horses, one aged 9 and the other 6. Tests and examine was intense. I seen the doc put his whole fist up inside the 9 yr olds stomach thru the bag that was hanging down. You could tell it was painful because the assistant was holding her head with the lead line. His whole fist went inside..doc did not say anything. Then he went to the other horse, the 6 yr old...the hole was only about three inches around. More tests were run and him and his staff came to us and told us...this is feasable. He would do a colic surgery on them, and he believed that he could mend the BOTH of them..he explained that he would sedate and lie them on their backs, this way their bowels and intestines would go back inside their stomachs, at which time he would do what he described as a tummy tuck. Because they had been left like this for yrs and yrs..there was a lot of scar tissue up inside that he felt with very large sutures he would be able to bring the stomachs back together, and keep the bowels and intestines inside. He stated that aftercare would be very difficult, and if we wanted them to survive then it would be a job. Of course we told them yes....they will be stalled for one month after their surgery. NO WALKING. After one month of being stalled, they then would be able to go into a small paddock with stalls, which they would be able to walk around lightly. Their diet for the first week would be such as what I was feeding them now..the minimal, enough to maintain. Aftercare would consist of antibotics, no walking, stocking up, and working thru that, no hand grazing..and a lot of self control on Ohana's part. Watching and listening to them whinny to come out, watching the legs swell. The doc insisted that we could do this. Because one month of discomfort compared to the horses lifetime is nothing.
Needless to say, the two horses are at the hospital awaiting their life changing operations. No more having to be treated differently. They will be able to play and run with the other horses, and they will ONE DAY BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR OWN HUMAN.
Ohana will not suffer quietly about these two horses any longer. I have broken the silence. Please Honey and Tear need everyone right now to pull them thru this. The surgery is going to cost $1000.00 a piece, that does not include the testing done today, nor does it include all the medical needs after the procedure. Stalls will have to be full of clean shavings at all times.
Please help Honey and Tear..If you would like to call the center and donate there instead of the chipin..their info is: Equine Medical Center of Ocala. 7107 West Hwy 326 Ocala Fl 34482 Phone # is 352-873-7830. Please tell them it is for Ohana Rescue's two horses HONEY AND TEAR. If you cannot donate, please hold them and us in your prayers, and please share and cross post this. Thank you and Bless each and everyone of you.