09/08/2018
Today is my birthday, but I would like to draw attention to someone else who has been a big blessing to myself and my horse recently. Some of you are aware of what has been going on the last couple weeks but for those who are not, let me share. Just under three weeks ago, Marlee became dangerously ill with a bad upper respiratory infection which was progressing quickly and aggressively. On top of it, Marlee was showing some secondary signs of impaction colic. Due to the infection, Marlee was spiking a fever up to 105 which we were only able to marginally control with NSAIDS. Marlee was admitted to University of WI veterinary hospital the second night of her illness and was there for just shy of three days.
Marlee’s case proved to be trickier than it appeared. Upon arrival at the hospital, we thought that the colic was resolved. We were surprised to be told the first night of her stay that she started colicking within an hour of receiving a small portion of wetted food which was confusing given that her food had been restricted and rectals didn’t reveal a current impaction. A presumptive diagnosis of gastric ulcers was made, possibly due to the controlling of the fever with the NSAIDS, and the hospital had to get creative with how to feed Marlee without her colicking. They started with little bits of hand picked grass in water and slowly worked her up to tolerating small completely soaked meals. A scope of the upper airways confirmed infection and a course of antibiotics was started.
I’ve never had a horse in the hospital before and it was completely necessary for Marlee to go, but I am also so incredibly grateful that Marlee can be treated at home during her recovery period. I know that Marlee is, too. She has never been so still in the trailer, just waiting for us to leave. It took eight days from the start of Marlee’s symptoms for her to stabilize and a full two weeks before I saw her personality returning. I’m very grateful for the veterinarians and staff that worked on Marlee’s case at the hospital and for my veterinarian’s care and quick action at home.
Marlee has a long road back to recovery. She is on a strict and fairly intensive feeding/medication schedule for a month and then will come a season of building and restoring her health on the other side of the illness. I’m not sure how I would manage it if it wasn’t for the help of the barn owner, Amy, who allowed Marlee to come home from the hospital. Accommodations were made for Marlee’s near round-the-clock care, and the fun began. The first week, Marlee’s regime required care every four hours. Amy tended to her at 10pm and then again at 2am. In addition, if Marlee had to stay in the hospital for the course of her treatment and post care, costs would have mounted beyond what I could have realistically justified. Thanks to Amy I didn’t have to face that scenario. Amy has said that her boarders and their horses under her care are like family, and she is proving that those aren’t just empty words. I would really like to give back something special for Amy and her family. They run a private boarding farm, and they have some projects and plans that they are trying to accomplish. I think it would be wonderful to bless them with funds towards those projects. I have created a gofundme account if anyone would like to contribute towards this gift - to simply say thank you and return the blessings.
Today is my birthday, but I would like to draw attention to someone else who has been a big blessing to myself and my horse recently. Some of you are aware of what has been going on the last couple weeks but for those who are not, let me share. Just under three weeks ago, Marlee became dangerousl...
