MAMA TESS is back home!
Yes, I drove in the rain with my precious cargo of egg d’equine. I swear, I was driving about 35mph the whole way. I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible – especially after she whacked her knee while getting in. (She had refused to load. Once she made up her mind, she blasted in and whacked her knee. Perfect.)
Anyway, the main thing is that SHE IS WALKING REALLY WELL – even with a whacked knee!
That infected coffin bone must have been hurting quite a bit because the difference between then and now is remarkable.
She still has many weeks of healing from surgery and then months of hoof healing, but she is much, much better.
SHORT VIDEO OF TESS WALKING – REALLY WELL!! NO MEDS AT ALL!
Click image to watch a short video of her walking out of the hospital and towards the trailer! I am holding my phone and her lead rope, so it is a bit wonky.
NO INFECTION ON MY WATCH!
Now that she is home, I cannot let her exposed coffin bone become infected.
Oy. Scary thought.
I wish the responsibility wasn’t mine. I feel so vulnerable about it.
But, I know that once I am familiar with the daily foot treatments and wrap, I will feel better about it all. Everyone at the hospital was very nonchalant (although very sterile) about the new infection prevention wash and wrap.
…It always looks easy when someone else is doing it…
Tonight was my first ‘treatment and wrap’ alone and I was calmly terrified.
I was too engrossed in the process to take any photos of the massive hole in her toe and the exposed bone – which is too bad because her foot is very interesting.
I will take pics eventually, when I’m better at the whole washnwrap thing.
Of course, the Doctors wouldn’t have released her to me if they thought I couldn’t do the new wash and wrap.
Still, I feel an awesome responsibility. Especially because right now, she is doing very well.
Gawd just hurry up, will you?! (She was very patient with me during my first new infection prevention wash and wrap tonight. But at the end, I took some photos and she was DONE.)
This is her hoof with the new treatment plate attached – so the sole is protected but I can still treat the bone through the massive hole at her toe. You can also see the two holes on the top of her hoof wall from the maggots. Those holes communicate with the hole at her toe.
This is the end product. She has a brand new equine slipper. The other one finally wore through.
I HAD TO LOCK HER IN A STALL!
I actually had to lock her in a stall to feed tonight. She was so mobile, she kept getting in my way and demanding treats or hay or anything other than what she was given.
Finally, after klunking her head a few times because she was always behind whatever door I had just walked through, I locked her up in her stall.
It was amazing the difference in her this evening. She was bold, bossy and BACK!
Speaking of bossy, here is a video of her refusing to get into the trailer. Yup. I don’t know why she was refusing… she loves the trailer. She especially wanted to GO HOME. So, I have no idea why she balked. But, she did.
Some of you might relate to this… ;)
Click image to watch a video of Tess refusing to go into the trailer… Oy. Happens to us all.
Bella, a sweet, orphaned baby mini donk got frostbite and lost her rear leg… but she is a fighter and ready for her prosthetic. Read about Bella here!
Click for the Mama Tess Surgery, Limb Profusion and Hospital stay Fund!
Sounds like some very good and encouraging progress has been made. Hugs to both you and Mama Tess for coming so far.
“calmly terrified” – love that. Have been there myself a few times.
Wow, she looks SO GOOD! The look she gave you when you were trying to get her in the trailer cracked me up. I’m so glad she’s home!!
LOL
Dawn, I haven’t heard someone say, Gumba since my dad passed…I had to replay the trailer loading video because I was like…Did I hear her call Tess, Gumba?!?!?
Glad to see MT is back!
How wonderful that she is home! I’m sure that she and you are so happy!…..even though there’s more recuperation to go.
That whole trailer thing? That’s just Tess reminding you that she is large and in charge!