QUEST EQUINE WELFARE INC.

HOMED

Thoroughbred Mare. Registered name 'Arkansas Chugabug'. Foaled 31.08.2005

12.07.11 - ON ARRIVAL

Jess is very kindly being cared for by Cloudy's adoptive family for the time-being.

20.07.11

A veterinary visit today has revealed that poor Jess is suffering from a rectovaginal fistula, which occurred during foaling her last foal, (this foal was weaned from Jess just prior to her surrender). Basically there is a tear internally through the vaginal wall and through the rectal wall, allowing fecal material to drop into her vagina. This is a serious grade of tear which can possibly be repaired through surgery. The attending vet has sought advice from specialist surgeons, and the prognosis given was a 70% - 80% chance of success. We have been quoted close to $2000 for the surgery. The only alternative is euthanasia. We are doing our research and will decide on a course of action asap.

Jess won $30,000 in prize money, but was headed to the knackery last week as a 5 year old because of her inability to breed in the future, due to her recently sustained foaling injury. Thankfully a friend of Jess' owner intervened and arranged for Jess' surrender to Quest.

We believe that this young lady deserves every opportunity to live out her life, and that her beautiful nature will make her a much treasured friend for some lucky person in the future.

20.07.11

We have had a wonderful response to Jess' plight from Quest's Facebook friends, so have set up a campaign for Jess, with the goal of raising the cost of her surgery. If you would like to contribute towards this very worthy cause, a future for Jess, you can do so at the top of Jess's page here by clicking on the 'Donate' button. By using that facility, all who are interested in Jess' cause can follow the progress of the fundraising effort on the donation thermometer. All donations to Quest over $2 are tax deductible, and all who contribute towards Jess' surgery will receive tax receipts.

For those interested in Thoroughbred breeding, one of our Quest ladies is a bit of a Thoroughbred buff, and has dug up some information for us. Apparently Jess' sire was a great racehorse, and Jess has a real international pedigree.

FANTASTIC LIGHT - Jess' Sire.

CARNEGIE - Jess' Dams Sire.

22.07.11

Fabulous news for Jess. She is booked in to have her surgery next Wednesday (27th). Jess will be transported to the Uni. of Melb. Equine Hospital on Monday, in order that the Vets can perform the necessary preparations with her for her surgery.

What an absolutely incredible effort from everybody! We have been so touched by the kindness of so many people in supporting our efforts to ensure that Jess receives the surgery that she needs. We would like to convey our sincere thanks to all who have sent positive messages for Jess, and to those who have donated towards her surgery. The lovely folks at the Equine Hospital have kindly agreed to take photos of Jess' surgery for us to share with you all.

We will need HEAPS of positive vibes sent Jess' way next Wednesday for a successful outcome to her surgery.

23.07.11

Big bath day for Jess!

Our sincere appreciation to our wonderful supporters Horseland for their constant support of our horses and ponies in care. They truly are a company who 'give back' to the industry upon which their business is based, in many ways, and should be commended for that. Horseland have kitted Jess out in a much needed lovely new set of rugs, just in time for her hospital stay.

Here's Jess modelling her WeatherBeeta Cotton Show Rug, and her WeatherBeeta Orican Freestyle Combo.

27.07.11

Jess' surgery today, and all has reportedly gone very well

Dr. M A (Tias) Muurlink, (Head of Equine Clinical Services - University of Melbourne Equine Centre), with Jess prior to surgery.

Quest would like to thank Dr. Muurlink, along with all of the wonderful staff at the Equine Centre,
for the excellent care they are providing our Jess.

Sincere thanks also to the 60 odd horse lovers who contributed towards the cost of Jess' surgery.
This lovely young girl now has her whole life ahead of her, and we will all make sure that it's a great one!

28.07.11

Jess will be staying in hospital a bit longer than anticipated.
She is straining to defecate, and is needing enemas for the time-being.

3.08.11

Jess was discharged on Monday (1.08), and was very happy to arrive back to where she calls 'home' at the moment. The Equine Centre have taken excellent care of her, and she's looking very well in herself. Sincere thanks to Dr. Tias and Dr. Josie of the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital for their amazing surgical care of Jess.

Thank you again to all who so kindly contributed towards the appeal to have this surgery done for the girl. There will be some healing time, but so far, all's looking well for her.

What an wonderful team effort this has been, for a very special mare.

If you are interested in reading Jess' discharge report, please click on the document at left to enlarge.

4.08.11

One man's trash - another man's treasure :)
Here's the lovely Jess back home from hospital, with Michelle's father. Because Michelle is often away during the day at work, her mum and dad have been a large part of Jess' care. They make the trip up to Michelle's to do anything that needs doing when Michelle is absent, such as holding for the farrier etc.

Although not 'horse people' themselves, Michelle's parents have become very attached to both Cloudy and Jess. Apparently Michelle's mum washes Cloudy's face with a warm face washer every day... you get the picture! The horses are groomed to within an inch of their lives, and Michelle's dad has formed a particular bond with Jess, which we think shines right through in these photos. Jess' gentleness around Michelle's elderly and inexperienced parents really is a testament to her good nature.

Thank you so much to Michelle's mum and dad for becoming so involved in the care of these special horses, and for providing them the one on one attention, kindness, and love that they so thrive on.

6.08.11

Sharing this cover page of Jess' invoice for the 60 odd amazing people who so kindly contributed towards covering this expense for Jess' surgery.

The girl's recuperation is going so well.... she is getting the spring back in her step, and has even been having 'pre-dinner maddies', with a few bucks thrown in.. what a joy!

Again, thank you to those who reached out a helping hand to a horse they have never met, both in the interests of doing the 'right thing', where her owner hadn't, and in the interests of relieving this lovely young girl of much pain and discomfort.

Onwards and upwards for Jess from here!

(You can click on the invoice to enlarge).

28.08.11

I have to admit that we've been slow in posting this news, as it's not good. Unfortunately Jess' surgery has broken down, and has not been successful. We always knew that this was a possibility, the odds we were given were 70/30 in favour of it succeeding, and sadly Jess has fallen into the 30% for whom it doesn't succeed. The attending Vet is recommending euthanasia. We are obtaining another opinion before we make any final decisions, but we don't hold out much hope for a positive prognosis.

We've asked ourselves repeatedly, would we make the same choices if presented with the same scenario again, and yes, we would. Jess is a lovely young girl, and she deserved the opportunity.

We will keep you posted with any developments.

1.09.11

Great news for Jess. At this stage. Jude can not see a reason for euthanasia. Yes, the external repair has broken down, but the internal repair is holding to a degree. Jude's opinion is that we allow the wound to heal fully, to the degree that it will, and re-assess at that point, (in approximately 8 weeks time). Jude is confident that Jess' health and needs can be well managed and that Jess will be comfortable in the mean time :)

18.09.11

Thank you to Michelle for these lovely pics of a very obviously happy young lady!

17.11.11

Some Jess photos! ...for those amazing 60 odd people who supported Jess' life-saving surgery.
Jess is doing really well, a picture of health as you can see :) She is having on-going hoof work to remedy some serious seedy toe that she arrived with, but is going really well on that front since a change of farrier.