UPDATE ON JASPER! One bullet is OUT!

Our June Bucket Fund horse, Jasper, who was shot twice while standing in his field, had his surgery! (Jasper’s original story linked here.)

The leg bullet is OUT! They are keeping the neck bullet where it is (too risky of a surgery) – but if it becomes infected, they will take it out as well.

We are helping Jasper’s owner pay for his surgery and shocking surprise medical costs.

Here is a note from Jasper’s owner:

Just got off the phone with the surgeon Dr Blake. She wants to remove the bullet in Jasper’s leg. Surgery is set for about 5pm today. She thinks she can do it standing, which will reduce the cost a bit. He will stay one more night and I’m planning to pick him up tomorrow morning (provided all goes well).

She thinks the one in the neck will be best staying where it is at. If it causes an infection down the road, it would need to be removed then.

They won’t let me be in the room for surgery, but she said they will take photos for evidence.

If I get any more news, will let you know.
Thank you again for everything!

JASPER’S cheek and neck are healing well. The bullet is still in there.

All donations are 100% tax deductible! We are working towards our goal but short so far. Any amount, any Starbucks or seat change is appreciated because it all adds us!

Thank you in advance!

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DETAILED PHOTOS OF JASPER and update on perp.

Jasper’s owner said that the detective has a strong lead on the perp. Now, with the bullet out, they can match the bullet to the weapon, if they find the weapon. So, there’s that. We all so hope that this is solved. No one in the area feels safe now.

However, Jasper seems to be doing really, really well… considering. He is healing up nicely now that the offending infecting bullet is gone out of his leg. He’s almost back to his old self, even though he is very stiff still, he is a happy camper again.

Imagine the bullet entering the first cheek hole, exiting the second cheek hole and then piercing his neck. Ouch! That bullet is still in there.

The bullet is out and the drain gone. Now the infection is healing so he feels much better. This one hurt the most.

WARNING (GRAPHIC IMAGE): THUMBNAIL IMAGE BELOW IS OF THE EMBEDDED BULLET.

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When you go away and someone gets sick, and no one notices…

No one is dead and everything is fixable. So, there’s that. But I have to say, there is a huge pang of guilt happening in my heart right now for Norma Jean.

We got home last night. This morning, I went out to feed and she ran up to me with her big eyes – looking hopeful. Really, really hopeful.

?? “What’s up Norma?” And then I stopped in my tracks.

Norma had huge bloody scabs on both of her shoulders and both of her upper and lower legs (above and below her whinny socks). It was her donkey psoriasis on megadrive. Flies, weeping scabs, blood – totally gross. My poor donkey. My poor, poor, perfectly sweet and wonderful donkey.

I didn’t take ‘before’ pics because all I wanted to do was fix it right away. I ran inside, got her psoriasis bucket, warm water and sponges – and went to work. Norma stood there, stoic, happy that someone was finally helping her.

Now, she is fly free, all of her wounds have been washed, cleaned and treated. She has gobs of THE BALM all over her skin, soothing the itch and pain. Tomorrow, I will change out her socks and keep the healing cycle going.

Norma is my 25 year-old donkey, which isn’t that old for a donkey – but she has donkey psoriasis every year. Some years it is hardly there, other years, it is bad.

WHAT HAPPENED?!

Norma didn’t have any issues when I left. But, I put on her socks anyway, just in case, because we heard that the weather was going to get very hot while we were gone. The heat and flies aggravate her donkey psoriasis.

I set up their misting fan. They had tons of shavings. Norma and Dodger were set.

The issue here – was the helper. Sweet girl. She fed twice a day and filled the waters, and watched the house… but she didn’t pay attention. She just didn’t see it. I cannot fathom how she missed it, but she did. Maybe she was concentrating on my feeding list instead of the actual animal. Dunno.

I’m sure if I showed her the pics, she would be mortified. I know she meant well.

I didn’t take any photos of the initial scabby mess, but here is her shoulder and leg once it was cleaned and treated. I use THE BALM from EquiSpa. It is herbal to treat the wound and also keeps the flies away. After a day of THE BALM, she will have a nice healover.

Here is the angry shoulder area with chest edema. THE BALM globbed on. I use The Balm to heal Bodhi when sutures wouldn’t work. Twice a day, every day, I slathered it on. It keeps the flies away while it soothes and heals.

MOVING ON FROM BLAME AND GUILT

So, Norma will have extra, extra special attention for the next few weeks as she heals. And, maybe that’s good. I tend to spend special time with those who are more vocal. Norma is always so quiet and sweet… time to spend time.

I was happy to see her smile back – once I was done.

After being groomed and treated, Norma was happy again. She moved into the shade and smiled at me. You’re welcome, girl, and I’m sorry.