I am posting an update on the big TB mare that was found that had been dumped in the desert to die. We are still working on reading her tattoo and have lots of help with that, to see if we can find out who she really is, though she will always be 'Melody' to us.
The vet was out and gave her a thorough going over and I am posting here, with Susan's permission, as the horse is in her care, what the summary was regarding poor Melody.
"a good look at her teeth and doc put her age at 23+... he also said that first letter in the tattoo is a Q which is 1987 which is right on.
she has a problem with urine pooling so the infections will be CHRONIC. that may PARTIALLY resolve with putting some weight on but will NOT go away. there is surgery BUT even if she was only 7, doc said he wouldn't recommend it, it usually does NOT work.
she has arthritis in all four legs and will NOT be ridable even if we do get her back into shape. right now there does not seem to be any pain but she is several hundred pounds underweight and if we put that weight back on, it very well may cause her problems in her legs.
she needs a dental badly but would have to put on AT LEAST 100 pounds before she could safely have the anesthetic. and there is cupping in two places (the gum drawn away from the teeth) and she is holding food there.
she has a lot of sand in her belly.
she has evidence of probable cactus in her lips.
some of the problems would be fairly minor but some of them, even if they were the only problem, would be a serious issue... but combine them all and we have a mare that will be a constant challenge to keep healthy."
Sadly, the concesus was that it would be in her best interest to have her euthanized. The infection problem is going to be a constant battle for her and is one big reasons why she is so skinny- someone just stopped caring for her and then dumped her out.
Melody is going to get a few more days of food and LOTS of love - she will at least go out of this world knowing that she is loved and that not all people are uncaring and negligent, but arrangements will be made soon to relieve her of her sad conditions and let her go with the grace and dignity she deserves. Any donations that were made towards her care will either be given back to the donor if requested or turned over to another rescue that have been mentors regarding Melody and are very helpful and kind folks. That way the funds can go to another horse in need.
It just upsets me so that someone could not be responsible enough to do the right thing for her to begin with, but was ok with letting her die a slow and horrible death due to her awful condition out where she had no warm stable, food or water or a kind word and loving hand-no companionship or friendly voice .... and now the responsibility has been dumped on someone else to do it.
Ok, I am crying again now about this whole thing- it is just too cruel - I cant stand it.
The vet was out and gave her a thorough going over and I am posting here, with Susan's permission, as the horse is in her care, what the summary was regarding poor Melody.
"a good look at her teeth and doc put her age at 23+... he also said that first letter in the tattoo is a Q which is 1987 which is right on.
she has a problem with urine pooling so the infections will be CHRONIC. that may PARTIALLY resolve with putting some weight on but will NOT go away. there is surgery BUT even if she was only 7, doc said he wouldn't recommend it, it usually does NOT work.
she has arthritis in all four legs and will NOT be ridable even if we do get her back into shape. right now there does not seem to be any pain but she is several hundred pounds underweight and if we put that weight back on, it very well may cause her problems in her legs.
she needs a dental badly but would have to put on AT LEAST 100 pounds before she could safely have the anesthetic. and there is cupping in two places (the gum drawn away from the teeth) and she is holding food there.
she has a lot of sand in her belly.
she has evidence of probable cactus in her lips.
some of the problems would be fairly minor but some of them, even if they were the only problem, would be a serious issue... but combine them all and we have a mare that will be a constant challenge to keep healthy."
Sadly, the concesus was that it would be in her best interest to have her euthanized. The infection problem is going to be a constant battle for her and is one big reasons why she is so skinny- someone just stopped caring for her and then dumped her out.
Melody is going to get a few more days of food and LOTS of love - she will at least go out of this world knowing that she is loved and that not all people are uncaring and negligent, but arrangements will be made soon to relieve her of her sad conditions and let her go with the grace and dignity she deserves. Any donations that were made towards her care will either be given back to the donor if requested or turned over to another rescue that have been mentors regarding Melody and are very helpful and kind folks. That way the funds can go to another horse in need.
It just upsets me so that someone could not be responsible enough to do the right thing for her to begin with, but was ok with letting her die a slow and horrible death due to her awful condition out where she had no warm stable, food or water or a kind word and loving hand-no companionship or friendly voice .... and now the responsibility has been dumped on someone else to do it.
Ok, I am crying again now about this whole thing- it is just too cruel - I cant stand it.
