Starvation case

[Floridachick]

I got a call to help on a starvation case this morning. Needless to say I ended up taking one of the worst yearlings back home. They are all so bad. Lice, fleas, worms.... MATTS of fur, raw spots full of maggots etc. The AC was called MANY times and nothing was done. At any rate our lil guy "Toughy" is now home. The vet was out and we trimmed some off his hooves to get him standing. We made a homemade sling.

Any help would be appreciated. HE is on Electrolytes, Rice Bran oil, Free Balance 12:12, Redcell and beet pulp soaked. Choice grass and Perennial Peanut hay.

Any thoughts on refeeding would be appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IXtjFqBnhA

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/toughy016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/toughy016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/toughy014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/toughy014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/toughy018.jpg

[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/toughy018.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/toughy017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/ksohmc/toughy017.jpg

IT HAS NOW BEEN 1 WEEK AND HE IS DOING MUCH BETTER BUT STILL GOES DOWN DAILY.

 

[Barbie]

I just don't understand how people can be so heartless and cruel. It's going to be a long uphill road for him. Thanks for much for helping him out. I'm looking forward to seeing some progress pictures.

Barbie

 

[kaykay]

wow now that is a really bad case

Bless your heart for taking him

This is just how I was taught to feed up a starved horse by ISU in illinois

Nothing but alfalfa or alfalfa grass hay for the first week (not even supplements) Starting with 3 smaller meals per day working up to free choice.

You have to be very careful with supplements etc because if you overload a starved body it can have the reverse effect and will shut down their vital organs. Remember a starved horses organs are not used to working so you dont want to over work them right off until they get used to eating again.

So if it was me I would give him only the best quality hay you can find and then later add in supplements like red cell, rice oil etc.

Heres a good paragraph

Link to full article

The quality, nutrient and protein content of hay varies depending on the type or variety of hay, as well as the time it is cut and how it is cured. Grains have different nutritional contents. (See Chart III)

The most common mistake in rehabilitating the severely malnourished equine is feeding too much too fast. More equines die during this feed introduction period than at any other time of rehabilitation. The more underweight an equine is, the more slowly you will need to reintroduce feed. It is considered safe for a mature equine to regain up to 25 pounds per week during the rehabilitation period. More rapid intake of feed can compromise the animal's system causing a variety of life threatening problems including cardiac failure.

 

[twister]

God Bless you for taking this little colt in, that is one of the worst cases of starvation I have seen, as Kay said be careful you don't feed him too much especially at first. Look forward to seeing recovery pics down the road.

Yvonne

 

[Marty]

This just burns my A $$............I have No tollerence for this crap.

You surely are doing a wonderful job. And he's going to be very pretty too. Worries me that still after a week he is still going down on you. Darn it. I would most definately get him off the peanut hay and find alfalfa OR if you have access to any T & A the kind that used to get shipped down from Canada or somewhere up north would be so much better than the peanut hay at this time. I don't know about the rice oil at all. Good luck and I hope this week he improves even more.

 

[dreaminmini]

Prayers for him. He is such a handsome guy. I hope to see more pictures as he keeps progressing.

 

[Floridachick]

Here is a great link: http://www.florida-agriculture.com/livestock/peanut_hay.htm

Actually Marty Perennial peanut is very close to alfalfa. Our is $15 a small bale and very leafy. He is doing well on it. THe vet were just out he went down again. The biggest problem is he is hydrated and full of food so he weighs A LOT more than before. Now that he is heavy his muscle mass can't support him to actually use the muscle to get up. He was eating his own muscle up. He was actually stuck on the ground 10 DAYS before we got him. They anticipate it will be awhile. We just need to help him up as there is no hoist available to attach to our homemade sling. I am so tired! BUT he is up!

thanks guys for your support. This one is really the toughest by far.

This just burns my A $$............I have No tollerence for this crap.
You surely are doing a wonderful job. And he's going to be very pretty too. Worries me that still after a week he is still going down on you. Darn it. I would most definately get him off the peanut hay and find alfalfa OR if you have access to any T & A the kind that used to get shipped down from Canada or somewhere up north would be so much better than the peanut hay at this time. I don't know about the rice oil at all. Good luck and I hope this week he improves even more.

 

[LittleRibbie]

Is this the same horse that is at Pure Thoughts Rescue or are you part of that rescue group as well? I just happened to see the photo of him in the sling and the same one of your poor guy lying down on the Pure Thoughts rescue site. Thanks goes out to all involved in his rescue and future rehabilitation.

 

[Floridachick]

Yes that is our colt! They used our pics and are helping to looks and ask for donations. He is costing us a fortune in care and products. Thank you guys! He is up this am. I am off to the feed store for the endless supplies. LOL

BIG thank you to http://www.purethoughtshorserescue.com/

For posting a request for donations for our little colt. With the power of everyone we will get through this

Is this the same horse that is at Pure Thoughts Rescue or are you part of that rescue group as well? I just happened to see the photo of him in the sling and the same one of your poor guy lying down on the Pure Thoughts rescue site. Thanks goes out to all involved in his rescue and future rehabilitation.

 

[bevann]

Have you thought of trying to borrow a hoist that mecanics use to lift engines from cars?there are usually lots of them around.good luck and God Bless you for being an Angel on earth.

 

[My-Lil-Pony]

I am not sure I have the words to describe how I feel. So I will instead say THANK YOU for taking care of this little guy!

 

[Floridachick]

Thank you guys for the kind words. I felt it was something I HAD to do! I am SO tired.... BUT Trooper UP and eating is worth all the hassle and exspense.

 

[Marty]

I have used the hay just not my personal choice but if it is working out that's good. We made a sling in our barn when I did rescues down there by using a trailer mat. We drilled holes in the ends and then ran a heavy chain and bolts and bolted the chains to attach it to the mat. We covered the mat with sleeping bags to protect the horse and as much sheepskin as we could find and saddle pads. The chains were then brought together on both sides and highered near to top the barn beams by a wrecker. Had to make sure the horse could still touch his feet on the ground so he wouldn't swing himself around on that. Had to be adjusted by the wrecker quite often. You can ask around wrecker companies if they have more than one that are not in use which is what we did and had good responses. Not everyone realizes how much is involved in bringing a horse back to life. You really took on a monster of a rescue there and need huge hugs. Now I just hope the law is behind you every step of the way and this mess should be televised and the bad guys go down for the pieces of junk they are. You are incredible person!

Check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgzEB-QkRvU...feature=related

 

[SSMFarm]

So glad to hear that the colt is up. I have been peaking in on the posts. Great Job! Sounds like you are familiar with rescues! Bless you for a job well done. If you will pm me with your address I would love to send some electolytes and Body Builder to Toughy.

Missy in SC

 

[wildoak]

Heartbreaking to see one in that condition and think someone allowed it to happen.........

to you for taking him on, he will be quite a looker one of these days.

Jan

 

[Indy's mom]

God Bless you for taking him in!!!! Please keep us posted! Best of luck!

Tammy

 

[Floridachick]

Thank you everyone and thank you MIssy any help is greatly appreciated!

So glad to hear that the colt is up. I have been peaking in on the posts. Great Job! Sounds like you are familiar with rescues! Bless you for a job well done. If you will pm me with your address I would love to send some electolytes and Body Builder to Toughy.

Missy in SC

 

[Floridachick]

FOr the 1st time I feel he will pull thru this!

LOOK Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUJl_3ilUeo

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/kso...KAToughy003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/kso...KAToughy001.jpg

Thank you for all your support

 

[Marty]

Oh my gosh you have worked a miracle! He's trotting! One minute he is at deaths door and now look at him SHINE! And YOU!!!!!! You are amazing.

Is there any update on the person who that did this to him?

 

[Floridachick]

Thanks Marty,

The family is being prosecuted to its FULLEST! We have a go. WHOOT! I guess 24 hr care and 12 small meals a day, REdcell, Electrolytes, Alfalfa, Peanut hay etc is all what it takes!

Oh my gosh you have worked a miracle! He's trotting! One minute he is at deaths door and now look at him SHINE! And YOU!!!!!! You are amazing. Is there any update on the person who that did this to him?