vvf
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2003
- Messages
- 700
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When this filly was born. She was strong and healthy and everything seemed normal.
She was perfect.
I had been hoping for a loud colored appy, but no luck.
( I was happy to have a filly though.)
In a few days , I noticed that every time she nursed, a lot of milk came out of her nose. (and I mean a lot)
I thought that was very odd as I had never had a foal do that before.
After watching her for a couple days, I opened her mouth to see that this filly had a severe cleft palet.
This was something I had never experienced in raising minis for over 25 years ,(or any animal for that matter).
I had my vet out and his recommendation was that the humane thing to do was to put her down, because she would not live.
He said that they could try surgery, but the odds were very high that she would still not survive.
Believe me….i weighed all the options,
My head told me to put her to sleep, but my heart said to give this little girl a chance.
Well…..in the meantime, I had pictures of all our babies on our website.(including Faith)
But Faiths picture did not have a name listed for her.
One day, I get an e-mail from Sammy asking about the bay filly on my website and what was her name.
I explained the condition of the filly to Sam.
I also told Sammy that she did not have a name because she may not make it.
That bothered Sammy and she said that everyone needs to have a name and she suggested Have a little Faith.
I thought , yes, that was the perfect name.
Time went on and I was very concerned that Faith was becoming very mal-nourished.
(which made sense because all of the nourishment was coming right out of her nose)
But, Faith always had a lot of energy which was really amazing,
And she always had a spark in her eye.
It was so hard because here was a baby that was nursing very well, but I knew she was gaining no benefit from it.
In the meantime, Sammy kept in contact with me on her progress.
It was several months before Faith could eat anything that was even remotely solid food.
Getting Faith to eat food was a challenge in itself….
After a long process of weaning, (and she was finally eating and starting to finally put some weight on)
I felt comfortable that faith was ready to leave our farm .
Sammy and her family understood all of her special needs, and were willing to take her and love her.
As far as I am concerned, all the right choices were made here.
Faith is in the right home where she belongs.
She was perfect.
I had been hoping for a loud colored appy, but no luck.
( I was happy to have a filly though.)
In a few days , I noticed that every time she nursed, a lot of milk came out of her nose. (and I mean a lot)
I thought that was very odd as I had never had a foal do that before.
After watching her for a couple days, I opened her mouth to see that this filly had a severe cleft palet.
This was something I had never experienced in raising minis for over 25 years ,(or any animal for that matter).
I had my vet out and his recommendation was that the humane thing to do was to put her down, because she would not live.
He said that they could try surgery, but the odds were very high that she would still not survive.
Believe me….i weighed all the options,
My head told me to put her to sleep, but my heart said to give this little girl a chance.
Well…..in the meantime, I had pictures of all our babies on our website.(including Faith)
But Faiths picture did not have a name listed for her.
One day, I get an e-mail from Sammy asking about the bay filly on my website and what was her name.
I explained the condition of the filly to Sam.
I also told Sammy that she did not have a name because she may not make it.
That bothered Sammy and she said that everyone needs to have a name and she suggested Have a little Faith.
I thought , yes, that was the perfect name.
Time went on and I was very concerned that Faith was becoming very mal-nourished.
(which made sense because all of the nourishment was coming right out of her nose)
But, Faith always had a lot of energy which was really amazing,
And she always had a spark in her eye.
It was so hard because here was a baby that was nursing very well, but I knew she was gaining no benefit from it.
In the meantime, Sammy kept in contact with me on her progress.
It was several months before Faith could eat anything that was even remotely solid food.
Getting Faith to eat food was a challenge in itself….
After a long process of weaning, (and she was finally eating and starting to finally put some weight on)
I felt comfortable that faith was ready to leave our farm .
Sammy and her family understood all of her special needs, and were willing to take her and love her.
As far as I am concerned, all the right choices were made here.
Faith is in the right home where she belongs.
