November 26, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, fever, horse, horses, hospital, SaveNash, surgery
I wish I had better news but there really is no change.
They performed the tracheal wash to obtain a sample of the fluid in the lungs. Then set up the culture, yesterday. As of today nothing is growing, which is not a surprise as sometime it take 2 days for bacteria to grow. So they are keeping him on the current antibiotics (SMZs) and added Metronidazole (yesterday). The second ABX is one that is commonly used for pneumonia.
This morning his fever spiked over 104 but again responded to the bute and came back down to 101. He said that high of a temperature is usually viral and only lasts 2 – 3 days. Also he doesn’t look or act like a horse with a 104 temperature caused by pneumonia. He does have slightly and occasionally elevated heart rate and respiratory rate but if it was true pneumonia he would look and act sick. He would be coughing, but instead he is still eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom all normally.
With the additional ABX they were really hoping for improvement this morning and are really not sure as to the cause of the high fever. They are starting to think something else is causing the fever. Maybe something related to the swelling in his legs.
So we wait some more for them to figure this out.
November 25, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
farm horse, hospital, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Spoke to Dr Parente this morning, he was concerned. Nash still has the fever. He was saying it is at 104 still which is considered a high grade fever. So today they are looking into the cause of the fever. They are running his blood work and checking it against when the blood work from when he was admitted. They are also going to do a fecal sample, to look for bacteria. Lastly he talked about the chance of infection at the incision site. He noticed a little more swelling but said that if there was an infection there it would be very painful to touch. Yet Nash is not indicating that it is very painful. Hopefully they will get to the bottom of this soon so my boy can come home.
Picture from last year.
November 24, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, farm horse, hay, hospital, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Wow, I can’t believe it has been a week.
I spoke to Dr Stuart to get an update on Nash. He still has the fever but it appears to be responsive to bute. So this morning it was at 104.1. Then he received his morning does of bute and it went down to 102. He is still doing fine, eating and all the rest. They have all his legs wrapped now because since the fever started they stopped hand walking him. They really don’t want to release him until the fever breaks, so hopefully that is soon. The pics are from my visit with him yesterday.
November 23, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, fever, horse, horse farm, horses, hospital, hugs and kisses, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
I woke up this morning to a phone call from the vet helping Dr Parente. She had not so good news… Nash has developed a fever. His temperature is 104. Normal body temperature for horses is 98 – 101 F. They think it is is viral infection but would like to keep him in the hospital over the weekend. She said he can probably go home Monday. While this is very disappointing, I understand it is best for him to stay in the hospital where they can monitor him closely and react quickly should he worsen. She did say he is eating a drinking as normal, which is why it is probably a viral infection.
Lover boy
November 22, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
farm horse, horse, SaveNash, surgery
I spoke to Dr Parente this morning. He said Nash was still doing good. They did notice his heart rate was slightly elevated and are keeping an eye on it. He has been switched from IV to oral ABs and they are reducing his bute (pain killer). He is not that concerned about the elevate heart rate and said that he can be discharged tomorrow. So we are leaving after my last lesson at 2 pm to bring my boy home.
This picture is from when I first met and rode Nash.
November 21, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horse farm, horses, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Dr Parente just called me. It was great to talk to him after seeing Nash as I was able to ask all my questions.
How did he get the hernia?
DrP. found scar tissue below the hernia which lead him to believe that the hernia was caused by trauma. Perhaps from a horse kicking him (before I rescued him) that caused a tear in the muscle wall.
How was the surgery performed?
The surgical mesh was attached to the muscles surrounding the hernia hole. Usually they try to pull the muscles together and put the mesh on top but due to the location this was not possible. So the mesh was attached with some tension (like a trampoline) to the muscles. There is also a layer of fat between the mesh and the intestine so there will be no complications there. Over time scar tissue will form over the mesh and reinforce it.
How is his recovering going?
He is doing very well. Pain seems to be down a bit today. Dr P. took the bandage off and was very pleased by the look at the incision site. It was very dry indicating not much puss or fluids forming. The swelling is less than the expected and Nash let him touch it (which indicates less pain). They are going to re-bandage it and keep that on for a while. Nash will be switched from IV antibiotics to Oral Abs. They are also reducing his bute (pain meds).
When can he come home?
Nash can go home Friday or Saturday. Which works out great because we will be picking him up around 4 on Saturday.
What happens when he comes home?
Nash will be confined to the stall for 2 weeks and hand walked only. Then he can be let out in a small round pen for 1 month. During this time he is not allowed to run around or interact with the herd for fear of tearing open the surgical site. I will continue the oral Antibiotics and pain meds as needed.
39.868098
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November 20, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
horse, hospital, SaveNash, surgery
Came to visit my handsome man on the first day after surgery. He saw me picked his head up and went right back to munching on his hay, but Glad to see he is eating. When I came in to his stall he gave my hand a good sniff to say hello oh yeah I know you.
He has a massive bandage around his belly so I can’t see the incision site. When I approached his side he moved away quickly like a fear of being touched pain reaction. But that does not surprise me.
Then I sat down in the hay and hung out. Helping him find the good bits of hay and letting him know I am here with a little scratch on the head every once in a while.
The nurses stopped by and they were pleased to see he has a visitor. One of them said “oh I love him”. Guess that means he has been a good boy.
A different vet called me today with an update. Saying his recovery is going well with him eating and going to the bathroom as normal.
November 19, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
SaveNash, surgery
Would you believe it I left my phone upstairs and missed Dr Parente’s call? He did leave the good news in a message though.
“Everything went well with surgery today. He stood up really well from anesthesia. We will probably keep him in a couple of days to make sure everything is looking good before we send him home.”
I am so pleased with the great news and hope to stop in to see him tomorrow. Thanks again to all who prayed and sent positive thoughts. It worked!
November 19, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
abuse, equine, horse, love, rescue, SaveNash, surgery, trust
I am Thankful I have my horse Nash in my farm life. He is the equine example of unconditional love and trust. I quickly realized he was abused before I rescued him. It took him a while to understand that we were not the same people as in his past. Since he was reminded daily of how much we love and respect our horses he learned to love and trust again. Thank you all how convinced me to fund raise for him and thank you to all who donated to the surgery that he is having today.
November 18, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Activities, Farm Horses
equine, horse, horses, love, nature, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Pre-Surgical work up day
I got to the barn early and fed him his two cups of grain. He was such a good boy this morning. I told him the plan and about going in the trailer. He followed me right in to the trailer. He was definitely nervous and shaking a little, but is so trusting. When we got on the road the anxiety started and my stomach was in knots.
It took us about 2 hours to get to the hospital. 
Look at that face, he was so upset and confused. Poor guy.
After going to admissions someone meet us at the trailer and escorted Nash to his stall. He we so good; but very nervous and looking around, taking it all in and trying to figure it out. I led him into the stall that was filled with straw bedding. I guess he has not seen that before as he wasn’t sure about walking into it.
Then they put a muzzle on him due to this dietary restrictions (only a little bit of grain). He didn’t like that at all. And thought is was very unfair that there was hay in the hay rack and straw on the ground.
It was time to go and leave him there. I left feeling so bad for him, but knowing it is for the best and the surgery will give him a long life with no worries of the hernia getting bigger.
Dr Parente called me this afternoon. He had a look at him and said we are all set for surgery tomorrow. The hernia is of a good size and shape for the operation. He is going to have the ultrasound done to have a look at the margins and determine the procedure for anchoring the mesh. The surgery will be done tomorrow afternoon and he will call me after. So now we wait.
Thank you to all the Facebook friends who have already sent us positive thoughts, prayers and wished Nash good luck.
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