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Post by schwung on Dec 21, 2008 22:40:07 GMT -5
Our window of opportunity to move Whisper even if Pilchuck's heaters were fixed is closed for a little while, but she is actually on IV antibiotics, and our vet is able to get out to where she is at least once a day. We took bloodwork today and she is not dehydrated, just a little anemic, her blood sugar was a bit low so we are mixing in some applesauce and/or molasses in her mash to give her a boost, and her white blood cell count was up which we expected given the fever.
We did finally get an offer for a heated enclosed barn on Fales Road (Hilltop Farm) but at this point the roads are too bad and her needs too intense to want to move her again until the weather clears. They were able to get their barn up to around 40 degrees which is significantly warmer outside so all in all she is doing as well as can be expected, I think.
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Post by angelicasfire on Dec 21, 2008 22:52:20 GMT -5
Thank you for the update! I know everyone is hoping to hear that is on her way to recovery!
Did the vet mention giving her red cell?
Let us know if we can help with anything.
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Post by schwung on Dec 21, 2008 23:16:06 GMT -5
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Post by Whitewolf821 on Dec 21, 2008 23:46:29 GMT -5
oh, I didn't notice the marks from the halter before! So glad she is in SAFE's capable hands now. Thank you so much for making room for her, CBB!
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Post by mytwoponies on Dec 22, 2008 0:00:26 GMT -5
I'm so sorry you guys! Hopefully it will warm up a bit and we can all get through this and your girl can pull through.
How are her legs doing? I noticed they were still wrapped.
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Post by clearlybluebreeze on Dec 22, 2008 12:26:24 GMT -5
Here are some notes that Dr Hannah emailed me yesterday after Whisper's bloodwork.
Whisper's blood work showed that she is well hydrated, her kidney and liver function is normal, her muscle enzymes are slightly elevated (this is expected based on what she's gone through and so not of concern at this level), she is mildly anemic (in her last blood work her HCT was in the normal range, likely has gone down with better hydration, we have started her on ulcer meds and the anemia is mild, so not too concerned. Her white blood cell level is overall low, (was within the normal range on last blood work), with low lymphocytes and low neutrophils. This combined with her fevers tells me she is fighting off an infection, so I'm glad we have her on the antibiotics now. It may take a few days to see some changes, she's not quite over the hump yet. When her fevers stop and her white blood cell values start to go up, we can take a deep breath... Her glucose levels were within the normal range, but at the low end, so she may be dropping below normal during her episodes of weakness. Giving her the molasses then will be a helpful blood sugar boost when we (or you...) try to get her up. I saw on the board a few people posted about oil- I do think that is a good idea, and she is now to the point where we can start adding those things in- we need to make the changes slowly because we've already been increasing/adding beet pulp, senior, alfalfa pellets, etc. Lets add a tablespoon to each of her mashes and slowly work up to 1 cup per day over the next week. Thanks for all of your hard work!!
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Post by schwung on Dec 22, 2008 20:49:56 GMT -5
The Herald posted an update today: www.heraldnet.com/article/20081222/NEWS01/812229975#Horse.rescued.from.starvation.still.strugglingAt this point we have rented a sling from Mount Vernon Animal Hospital. An electric hoist, after trying in vain to find one to rent, was purchased by a friend of Geri Vincent's of Equine Aid and loaned to us to use, which is incredibly generous of him. As we speak, Geri's husband and the friend who purchased the hoist are working on figuring out a way to install it overhead. In other news, the pipes have finally given way at the farm and we had to shut our water off until we can get a plumber out to fix it. We did get the horses watered (we had some water, but very low pressure) so they are good for 24 hours or so. Also, please send your condolences to Geri today as she lost one of her long-time equine friends today, who had a seizure today for unknown causes and died. It's been a tough day all around, but like Whisper, we will perservere!
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Post by kbwetherell on Dec 22, 2008 21:54:57 GMT -5
Lisa and I just came in from staying with Whisper while the sling system went up in her stall...She seems to know everyone is reaching out to help her. Even with all the hammering, wood cutting, ladders, etc in her stall she patiently stood with me in a corner and took the opportunity to rest her head a moment. Dr. Hannah and Dr. Brad are on their way to administer some IV antibiotics and look over the pully system....its going to be another long night though I am happy to report Lisa and I both managed a 2.5 hour nap today. We feel optimistic with the added system to lift her in place...and Whisper seems to be content nickering each time she gets her warm mash...Keep Jingling and thank everyone for their support!
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Post by coconut on Dec 22, 2008 23:31:38 GMT -5
This little gal has so many kind spirits on her side & I'm sure she does, in deed, know it! You ALL are her Angels and it just gets me a little emotional to know how so many people can get together for the sake of one soul who's down on her luck.
Jingles for Whisper & Grateful Praises for the more than 20 different names I've seen on the msg board in regards to her care (I tried to type them all...that's how I know!)
I'd say this is the Holiday Spirit but in this group it's just what happens...and it's magical any time of the year. It's just especially heroic considering the challenges.
THANK YOU for all you're doing for Whisper
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Post by Supaloma on Dec 23, 2008 12:36:48 GMT -5
The folks who purchased the winch are Val and Scott Wonhoff. The winch and support beam were installed by Scott, Jim Dobbin and Doug.
A big thank you goes to Nicole and Trinity who spent most of the day Monday driving up to Mount Vernon to pick up the sling and get it to Monroe.
My admiration and gratitude to the women doing the cold, constant visits to the barn to check on Whisper and feed her warm mush and water: Lisa, Kier and Jaime.
A few more names for you, coconut!
Geri
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Post by cardicorgi on Dec 23, 2008 14:29:07 GMT -5
Thank you to all who are so involved with Whisper's well-being.
Thank you for the sacrifices you all are making - may you all be warm, and safe on the roads.
Thank you also to the very kind people who purchased the hoist and loaned it for Whisper -what an amazing gesture.
C'mon Whisper!
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Post by leahlady on Dec 23, 2008 19:59:08 GMT -5
thinking about little whisper... me and lady are jingling like crazy for ya girly! hang in there!
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Post by clearlybluebreeze on Dec 23, 2008 20:31:39 GMT -5
Whisper is doing well today......She hasn't been down since early yesterday morning, which is very encouraging. (Of course as Murphy's Law tells us - she won't go down again now that we have this incredible hoist system in the barn) She continues to eat like crazy and is always happy to see us come into the barn. We are very grateful for the help getting this hoist system in place for Whisper, what an amazing group of horse people that have really come together to make this all possible. Dr Hannah will be here in an hour or so to check in on Whisper and give her antibiotic injection for the day. We will keep you all posted on her progress.
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Post by jodycat on Dec 24, 2008 7:18:01 GMT -5
Whisper is doing well today......She hasn't been down since early yesterday morning, which is very encouraging.... She continues to eat like crazy and is always happy to see us come into the barn.... This is such great news! ;D
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Post by clearlybluebreeze on Dec 24, 2008 8:19:03 GMT -5
It is now 5am.....We found Whisper down at about 2:00am and her body temp was dropping again. Called Dr Hannah (who I think was thrilled to hear from us again ) She jumped in her truck and was here pretty quickly. It was time to try out the newly installed hoist system. Whisper was not bothered at all by the commotion of getting the sling under her body, the noise of the electric hoist and even seemed fairly calm as she was being lifted. Once she was to her feet she immediately began eating again. I took a few pictures with a cell phone and will post those later. It really was quite a sight....the hoist worked great and Whisper is up again. Thankfully this can be done with 2-3 people instead of the 8 or 9 people it takes to lift her manually. Hopefully she will start to gain some strength soon and will be able to get up on her own.
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