Ruby continues her slow recovery at NWESC, where she is getting hands-on care and attention following the birth, and passing, of her foal. She is definitely not out of the woods yet, but her condition has stabilized. Initial blood tests revealed that she was severely anemic with low proteins, which is not surprising considering her emaciated condition. Fortunately, her bloodwork is improving slowly and is now being checked every third day instead of daily. She is eating better, and her stool is starting to firm up although it’s not yet completely normal. Her demeanor is brighter and she’s taking much more of an interest in her surroundings. She really is the sweetest thing…She shows affection by resting her forehead against your chest and sighing. Dr Hannah is happy with the progress that this sweet mare is making, and we are cautiously optimistic that Ruby will be able to recover from the neglect she suffered.
These photos will give you some idea of how horrific Ruby’s neglect was…and sadly, photos can never truly convey how bad a starved horse looks in person. These images are hard to look at. Ruby was estimated to be a 1 out of 9 on the Henneke horse body condition scale, which means that she was close to death at the point when law enforcement officers discovered her. Add to that the fact that she was carrying a foal…and you can start to understand just how cruelly this mare was treated by her former owner.
Meanwhile, the continuing cost of Ruby’s recovery — on top of what was spent trying to save her foal — continues to grow, so we are asking our friends to please consider a making a gift today to help us with those costs. We have received an amazing offer from one of our favorite supporters who is willing to match donations for Ruby’s care up to $1,000. Your donation will be worth twice the dollar amount, so there has never been a better time to give to the SAFE Veterinary Fund than right now, today.
Yes, I will donate to the SAFE Vet Care Fund to help Ruby! CLICK HERE
If Ruby survives — and we are working hard to make sure she does — she is going to be a lovely mare. Someday soon, she will be transformed back into a beauty, full of health and life. Be part of that transformation by supporting her recovery with a donation.
