Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on Jan 11, 2010 18:31:30 GMT -8
Not the continent, although maybe it does need help too.
This particular Africa is a horse. I was contacted by this horse's owner to ask if I knew of any programs that could help. She already applied to WSU for one of their surgical grants, but they are low on funding, so it's a no-go. The owner currently has pledges for $400 towards the surgery. Pilchuck is going to take a look at her Xrays, and see what they can do. The estimate for surgery is $2000-2200.
Here is Africa's story:
Africa was born in a field and was completely untouched by humans until her rescue in fall 2009 by Rodeo City Equine Rescue in Ellensburg, WA. She was completely wild and had to be corralled into the trailer. No one could get within 20 feet of her, let alone touch her. She was thin but her belly was huge, full of worms. She had never had veterinary treatment, vaccinations, worming or hoof care. Within a week we were able to get a halter on her and begin her rehabilitation. It took weeks of patient, slow work to break through her intense fear of humans. Eventually we were able to deworm her, but the infestation was so great that it took three different dewormers before her system finally responded. I adopted Africa from the rescue in October 2009, about two months after her initial rescue.
Africa has an OCD DIRT lesion. It is a genetic condition that was probably triggered by malnourishment in her initial growing years. It is a bone chip that sits in between her hock (hind leg "elbow") joint, rubbing against both top and bottom connecting bones. Shortly after her rescue she developed a swelling on her hock joint. It would not go away with normal, at-home treatments and remained the same size for about three weeks.
After the swelling was consistent for about three weeks, I scheduled a vet visit for Africa and had x-rays taken of the joint. The diagnosis was OCD and I was told that surgery was required for Africa to have any quality of life after about the age of 8. I was told that the bone chip would rub and irritate the joint area until the cartilage disintegrated, resulting in severe arthritis. The arthritis would set in around age 5 and become so severe by the time she was 8 that euthanasia would be the only humane option. Average horse life expectancy is 25-30 years. Africa's expected life span, without surgery, is 8-10 years in a best case scenario. The surgery is simple as far as equine surgeries go, but is estimated to cost between 2000-2200 dollars. Follow up care is minimal: stall rest for two weeks, then start hand walking. 2-3 months after the surgery, normal activity can be introduced and training can start.
I am a working student in my senior year of college. I am hoping to go to graduate school next year. My job is steady and pays decent but I work less than 20 hours a week. It is enough for me to live comfortably and provide basic veterinary care for Africa but an unexpected surgical expense like this is more than my budget allows for.
If you have any suggestions of where I can seek financial help, please let me know.
Thank you for your time and compassion,
Alexa
If you can help in any way, please send me an email at sunnyacresranch@yahoo.com
This particular Africa is a horse. I was contacted by this horse's owner to ask if I knew of any programs that could help. She already applied to WSU for one of their surgical grants, but they are low on funding, so it's a no-go. The owner currently has pledges for $400 towards the surgery. Pilchuck is going to take a look at her Xrays, and see what they can do. The estimate for surgery is $2000-2200.
Here is Africa's story:
Africa was born in a field and was completely untouched by humans until her rescue in fall 2009 by Rodeo City Equine Rescue in Ellensburg, WA. She was completely wild and had to be corralled into the trailer. No one could get within 20 feet of her, let alone touch her. She was thin but her belly was huge, full of worms. She had never had veterinary treatment, vaccinations, worming or hoof care. Within a week we were able to get a halter on her and begin her rehabilitation. It took weeks of patient, slow work to break through her intense fear of humans. Eventually we were able to deworm her, but the infestation was so great that it took three different dewormers before her system finally responded. I adopted Africa from the rescue in October 2009, about two months after her initial rescue.
Africa has an OCD DIRT lesion. It is a genetic condition that was probably triggered by malnourishment in her initial growing years. It is a bone chip that sits in between her hock (hind leg "elbow") joint, rubbing against both top and bottom connecting bones. Shortly after her rescue she developed a swelling on her hock joint. It would not go away with normal, at-home treatments and remained the same size for about three weeks.
After the swelling was consistent for about three weeks, I scheduled a vet visit for Africa and had x-rays taken of the joint. The diagnosis was OCD and I was told that surgery was required for Africa to have any quality of life after about the age of 8. I was told that the bone chip would rub and irritate the joint area until the cartilage disintegrated, resulting in severe arthritis. The arthritis would set in around age 5 and become so severe by the time she was 8 that euthanasia would be the only humane option. Average horse life expectancy is 25-30 years. Africa's expected life span, without surgery, is 8-10 years in a best case scenario. The surgery is simple as far as equine surgeries go, but is estimated to cost between 2000-2200 dollars. Follow up care is minimal: stall rest for two weeks, then start hand walking. 2-3 months after the surgery, normal activity can be introduced and training can start.
I am a working student in my senior year of college. I am hoping to go to graduate school next year. My job is steady and pays decent but I work less than 20 hours a week. It is enough for me to live comfortably and provide basic veterinary care for Africa but an unexpected surgical expense like this is more than my budget allows for.
If you have any suggestions of where I can seek financial help, please let me know.
Thank you for your time and compassion,
Alexa
If you can help in any way, please send me an email at sunnyacresranch@yahoo.com
