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Our Little Oreo- May she rest in peace
Oreo died today of a twisted colin, a servere and acute colic that is fatal in nearly all cases. Colic is the number one cause of death in older horses. She ate dinner last night and this morning didn't want to eat. This is always a sure sign that something is wrong. As many of you know Oreo was injured about a month ago and had a resulting skull fracture. WE WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT SHE DIED THIS MORNING AND HER DEATH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HER SKULL FRACTURE. We want to thank Dr. Doug Lawrence and his wife Jaime for all their support this morning and throughout the day. Jaime dropped everything this morning to help us start treatment of Oreo, while Doug was taking care of other colics today. The dramatic change in weather is a leading cause for a horse to colic. Dr. Lawrence arrived a short time later and we could all see that Oreo was in severe pain.
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We have been doing this for 10 years now, and we have not seen a case where the pain was so acute. With some strong medication we were able to take the edge off of her pain and Dr. Lawrence did a rectal exam. Resulting in the diagnosis that Oreo's spleen was displaced, causing her colin to bind. Through Dr. Lawrence's extensive experience he was aware of a treatment that might help. We drove down to San Luis Rey Equine Hosptial to pick up the medication and got back within the hour. We gave her the medication through an IV drip and walked her, trying to dislodge the spleen from her colin = things were looking good for a little while and we were hopeful. However after another rectal exam, Dr. Lawrence could feel that her intestine was still twisted, even after the spleen had shrunk and was no longer causing an additinal blockage. Through many tears we said our goodbyes, knowing she was in agony and delaying the inevitable will only cause her to suffer more.
Oreo came to us nearly four years ago. She was at another horse rescue in Temecula that went under and lost their home to the bank. She came with Buddy, the goats Junior and Seau, and Erik the turkey. Oreo has always been a very easy keeping horse. She was about 28 years old. She now rests at the rainbow bridge.
Little Pollywood Was Such a Wonderful Mother!
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Pollywood suffered also from a colic this week, unfortunately she passed away on Thursday. Pollywood was in her early thirties and she had been a resident of Villa Chardonnay for over 5 years. She was a very well bred cutting horse who was injured while she was young. After that she became a brood mare and had many babies over her lifespan. When she arrived at Villa she was very shy and skittish. She did not have much contact with people over the years. It took her over a year to start warming up to us. About two and a half years ago, we adopted four orphaned mustangs from the Fallon Nevada roundups. Guess who was so happy to be their mother! We put Pollywood and the four mustanges alone in a pasture for several months, Pollywood was so happy. Kikapoo, Pai, Bingo and the little filly Jacki, loved Pollywood very much. For over two years Jacki would not leave her side...Pollywood was where she wanted to be. Please rest in peace our little Pollywood, we love you and miss you very much.
If you would like to make a donation, especially all the mothers out there, for Pollywood and to help with her medical fees, please click below. All donations help and we are so thankful for any donations to help with our current medical fees.
Why do horses get a colic? Is it common?
- Colic is the most common reason for a horse over 25 to die. It is brought on this time of year by the changes in weather. Horse systems can be delicate to the extreme weather changes and they can become dehydrated.
- It is especially common in dry areas like California
- Horses tend to graze for their alfalfa or hay foods, even if they are fed in feeders off the ground they still sniff around a seek food off the ground. This can cause sand to build up in their stomachs eventually, after years, causing a colic.
- Oreo died of the most extreme form of colic, a twisted intestine. This comes on very quickly.
- Pollywoood died of a more common type of colic, where she became impacted and could not pass anything through her intestines.
- Orea, Pollywood and more than two dozen other horses considered at risk have been taking pysilium for the past 6 weeks. As May is a common colic month.
Annie Continues to Improve!
Please contact us with any questions or comments, call Louise at 951-526-6600.
ANNIE NEEDS THE HELP OF ALL OF US TO SURVIVE. SHE DESERVES A BETTER LIFE THAN SHE HAS HAD SO FAR. SHE IS STILL YOUNG AND HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF SURVIVING AND HAVING A GOOD LIFE. WE NEED MEDICATION FOR HER MELANOMA AND CUSHING'S DISEASE. SHE CURRENTLY HAS LAMINTIS AS WELL, CAUSING PAIN IN HER FEET. SHE IS ON PERGOLIDE FOR HER CUSHING'S DISEASE AND WE ARE SEEKING ADDITIONAL MEDICATION FOR HER CANCER. HER MONTHLY MEDICAL CARE IS $450-$600 PLUS VETERINARY VISITS FROM DR. McNeel IN MURRIETA. Please contact us with any questions or comments. Monika Kerber, CEO and President: monika@villachardonnay.org
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The photo above is Annie before we shaved her, one of the side effects of Cushing's disease is overgrown and curly hair. Annie had plenty of it. The photo below is Annie in her stall, resting her legs. Please donate today!
If you would like to be her Angel with Wings, please sponsor Annie. You may visit her as well and watch her improve and be a part of her life. Please sponsor Annie today.
Your Donation will Help Annie Survive
Louise Gardner, CFO and Co-Founder: louise@villachardonnay.orgJoin us for our Halloween Fundraiser for Annie! Or mail donations to:
Villa Chardonnay Horses with Wings, Inc.