This is an amazing story… True Grit in a baby donkey!
First, she was born prematurely and orphaned within a month. Her negligent breeder allowed this baby to get frostbitten in the 15 degree weather of Minnesota. A rescuer rushed the baby to the hospital but her rear right foot could not be saved.
She’s just a baby and endured so much – yet she still has the grit to push on and master a temporary prosthetic.
Can we help fund her permanent prosthetic device before her first birthday?!
EXCERPT FROM THE WEBSITE:
(Bella’s website and FB pages linked here.)
Bella fought hard to regain her strength, but sadly her rear leg suffered severe frost bite damage and needed to be amputated to save her life.
They have never done this surgery on a donkey at the U of MN…. matter fact, not too many Vets have due to the fact that donkeys are valued much less then that of a horse. The Surgeon referred us to Dr VlaHos at The Rocky Mountain Equine Center in Sheridan WY, USA for this rare surgery. He is well known in the industry for equine amputations with a high success rate.
Because we love Bella, and she has been a true fighter with a HUGE will to survive, we brought her all the way to Wyoming, stopping only for fuel and to administer her IV meds. …
She was given only a very temporary prosthesis, and will be fitted for her real prosthetic leg if we can raise the funds for it. This is costly, but is needed to prevent her other legs from weight shifting damage.
Bella, a sweet, orphaned baby mini donk was left out in the Minnesota cold to develop frostbite in her rear leg. Rescuers and Univ of Minn tried to save the leg but it was too far gone.
BELLA’S STORY
The foot was very bad… and could not be saved.
She was prepped for surgery.
Specialists at The Rocky Mountain Equine Center performed the amputation…
Sucessfully….
And Bella has adapted!
CLICK TO WATCH A VIDEO OF BELLA WALKING! Her ease in motion and her small size is why specialist believe she is a perfect candidate for a prosthetic.
SHE IS SMALL, ALREADY ADAPTED AND HEALTHY – AND AWAITS A PERMANENT PROSTHETIC LIMB! THEY SAY BELLA IS A PERFECT CANDIDATE!
Being light and healthy and young has allowed Bella to adapt well to her temporary prosthetic.
Here is news about her potential new prosthetic device:
A note from the Dr V regarding her prosthesis, which was consulted from the Sheridan WY, Hanger Prosthetic Company this week for cost…
“Hey Dr V, got to look at Bella tonight. We will be able to fit and fabricate a plastic socket with a pediatric component and socks, and an extra insert allowing for growth for $2500.00. If this is ok with the owners, please fax info. Thanks. Cole Tumbull, Hanger Company 1-307-237-3688.”
Bella riding in the truck during her trip for surgery in Wyoming.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS STORY…
–Bella has made it this far without complications… she’s young so she doesn’t know any differently. She has adapting well already… a prosthetic will be accepted well.
–Since Bella is a mini donk, she has less weight to carry, which will make wearing a prosthetic easier.
–Bella is in love with humans and is now earmarked to do hospital visits and charity work.
–Although Bella is with a private party, the costs are transparent via names and addresses of vets/consultants given on her website – as well as the ability to pay Bucket Funds to the actual service provider instead of the private party. This is good.
CAN WE HELP LITTLE BELLA?!
Thank you and God Bless to all the wonderful people out there that have supported and continue to support Bella!
Bella is so very precious….she did not deserve the hand that she was dealt but God saw her plight and sent her help. If only some people would realize and think that bitter cold is so very dangerous and even if an animal lives outside that does not mean that they can tolerate sub freezing temperatures…especially when they are babies, God’s Blessings to all, Sally Brown
What a little trooper! We had to put a little something in this adorable little lady’s Bucket Fund!
Prayers and Well Wishes for a Complete and Speedy recovery!!
~For the Love of Neigh-Sayers (and their little cousins)
-Melissa, Hailie and Merian