Not So Good News

It's with heavy heart that I write this post. I took Teddy to the veterinarian yesterday. His breathing has not improved even though he's getting more alert. It seems that Teddy has a type of pneumonia or influenza. He has what the doctor called a water line in his chest. He told me that the prognosis is not good but we could try antibiotics for 10 days to see if it can turn itself around. Then I called another vet in Bakersfield to see how much it would cost to drain the fluid since the fluid may harbor the bacteria. Unfortunately not only was it really expensive but the prognosis is still not great. He suggested trying antibiotics as well only do it for 2 to 3 weeks if he's still eating and drinking (which he is.) I'm not sure if I'll write during this time. I don't want to get my hopes up but I don't want to give up hope. This is the chance part in taking chances. 

Don't Google Your Symptoms!

Shortly after I wrote my last post I came out to hang with Teddy and I noticed he had what is called a pitting edema on his belly. A pitting edema is  like a swelling that when you press on it it maintains your fingers imprints. Away. I went to the internet to see what would cause this. Jim is always saying do not google your symptoms. Let me say, don't google your horses symptoms either. A few things came up but the one that stuck was renal failure. I was bummed! 

I emailed Julie again before I called the vet. Her response was great. Here is what she wrote:

"Ok this is going to sound weird.  All our emaciated rescues get what feels like edema.  It generally starts at the center line, aka belly and works up through the ribs.  Kind of feels like a fat tumor on an old dog. It's actually weight gain.  The first time I felt it I freaked out."

Teddy's just gaining weight!! 

The list of improvements is getting longer everyday. He lifts his head up when I come over and sometimes he even slips it through the fence to ask for something to eat. He walks across the corral to greet me too. I held my hand on his head and he bobbed it up and down to initiate a head rubbing. There is such a great personality emerging from this little bag of bones. 

Here's a picture of Teddy hanging out in the pasture. 

Thank you for the nudge Tracy, I needed that!!

Some Days Are Better Than Others....

This weekend was tough. I battled with writing on the blog, not wanting to post my worries. But as with everything in life, there's ups and downs and rescuing Teddy is no different.

A few days ago I notice Teddy's breathing was somewhat labored. Instead of the normal 10 to 24 breaths per minute, his was closer to 40 breaths per minute. I had increased our walk the day before to across the highway and back. I worried I had pushed him too far. Sunday Teddy didn't eat quite as much as he had been eating, he was still eating though and he was cleaning up his senior feed mixture. His temperature was 101.7 within normal and his pulse was normal too. Since it was the weekend I decided to wait to call the vet, I know I have to choose those calls wisely because we have quite a few ahead of us and they aren't cheap.

I called a rescue organization in Bakersfield called Whiskers Paws Hooves and Claws for guidance, questions and hope. Thank goodness Julie called me back she gave me her email. I emailed her my feeding routine, exercise, worming schedule and observations. She agreed with the veterinarian recommended feeding schedule and eased my worries. She sent me a before and after picture of a horse named Cricket.

That's after 90 days!! Amazing huh?

Julie reminded me that everything is work for Teddy, even eating can wear him out. It was nice to just speak (via email) with someone who has been through this many times. I think I just got nervous, started doubting myself and over thought everything. Poor Teddy, he probably feels like he's living in a fishbowl the way I keep watching him.

Today was a bit better. His intake was good, he's passing poop well, drinking and walking around a bit on his own. Julie's advice, "Patience." A word I will be focusing on for a while. I just needed some hope. 

Checkout Whiskers Paws Hooves and Claws website.

And like her Facebook page. Click here

  

Some Good News

When I received a comment on my blog from my sister in-law, Tracy, I smiled. My first post was published 10 days after I picked up Teddy. I wrote it earlier but I was busy and didn't hit the publish button.

Teddy has shown some improvement over the last few days. It was Sunday morning while I was heading out to feed the masses (of horses and chickens) I was greeted with an attempt at a whinny. It's a little hoarse (pun intended) but it made my heart soar! I'm pretty sure the whinny was asking for breakfast but the acknowledgement that I was the bringer of food was awesome.

Everyday I take Teddy out for a few short walks. The morning walk begins with a light brushing (he's a little sensitive due to the skin sores from not being groomed regularly.) I have been kneeling to brush his face because his head hangs so low. Yesterday morning while I was grooming him he was able to hold his head up just a little bit higher to where I didn't have to get on my knees to brush his face. He seems to really enjoy his grooming sessions.

And the most recent noticeable improvement happened this morning. I came outside to start my morning of chores and stall cleaning, this happens about an hour after feeding. I was not in Teddy's range of sight but he could hear me walking to my little tractor. I heard his attempt at a whinny, a few nickers and then he walked over so he could see me. His little ears pricked forward and his head a up as if to say, "Good morning." He still had food left so I could interpret it as a greeting for me, not just the bringer of food person. A normal horse behavior!

I understand the need for updates on this little guy. That's one of the reasons I have been reaching out to rescues that deal with type of neglect. I needed to know if there was hope, when could I expect to see this horse "come back" to life. Well, it's happening! I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of his recovery. 

I think that's pretty awesome for being here just 12 days.

Teddy meeting Cheyenne, our other rescue. I wonder what they're saying?

Teddy's First Days Home

I brought Teddy home on December 28, 2013. When I arrived at his first rescuer's house it was dark. I could see that his neck was extremely thin. I raised up his blanket and could count every rib. I didn't take his blanket off because it was so cold. It was a long ride home. He was so weak I was afraid if I accidentally took a turn too fast or jerky he would fall. I pulled over a lot to check on him. When I unloaded him he was definitely tired. I lead him to his corral, worrying that he may fall in route because he could not pick his feet up to walk. I feed him a small flake of hay and proceeded to have a restless night of sleep pondering what I was in for as well as the possibilities of what this horse could become again.

I awoke the next day to a horse that really did not acknowledge that I was there. I fed him again and whispered sweet nothings in his ear. His head hung down and the life spark in his eyes non-existent. When the sun was high enough that he could warm himself I took the blanket off to brush him. I was not prepared for what I saw. I have seen horses in this condition but only in pictures. To be there in front of a horse that somebody let go this bad was heart breaking. How could someone let it get this bad? I cried while I brushed him. I tried to buck up because I know they feel what we feel, but for the first 10 minutes I couldn't. I brushed him, getting on my knees to brush his face because he could not lift his head. We went for a walk that only lasted about 5 minutes because that's all he could handle. I took him back to his corral, fed him another small flake of hay, worrying that if I fed him to much I could kill him but my heart wanting to fill the corral up with hay.

For the next few days I read articles and talked with people who have rescued horses like this to find out how and what to feed him. I walk him multiple times a day to help the food he eats turn into muscle. I wonder if he is mentally okay or if this type of neglect has robbed him of being able to become a whole horse again. There are no outward signs that I exist when I'm interacting with him, even when I am kneeling in front of him to brush his face or pet him.

Theses are pictures of Teddy on his first day at our house.