Help Sir Humphrey

Humphrey was rescued from the slaughter pipeline in July 2017 by Rancho Relaxo. When he arrived home from quarantine, he had numerous medical issues that needed to be addressed. We decided to foster him and help him overcome his issues. After months of daily intensive care, in December 2017, Rancho Relaxo allowed us to adopt Humphrey after falling in love with him. Shortly after his adoption, he required 3 invasive surgeries exceeding $8,000 that were due to his past neglect and abuse. After 2 months in rehabilitation, he was able to come home in March. Things seemed to be running semi smoothly for our boy until June 17th. When I went to see Humphrey that morning, he had minor swelling under his belly. Over the past 4 days it has progressively gotten worse and so has his condition. Humphrey is now requiring ultrasounds and various other tests and images on top of his daily care and medical issues.

UPDATE 6/27/18 - Humphrey arrived home late Monday night. After numerous scans at New Bolton, they are unsure of what his edema and hematoma are stemming from… and his diagnoses for these are inconclusive. HOWEVER, we found another medical issue Humphrey has when the ultrasound was being conducted.

Prior to Humphrey going to New Bolton, he had blood drawn to be tested. This blood work came back showing high levels of Calcium, Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactic Acid  Dehydrogenase (LDH) and low phosphorous. At first, we suspected a potential cardiac issue. After his imaging, it shows that his heart is functioning properly as well as his other vital organs. When the team at New Bolton was imaging Humphrey, the did find a small mass on his parathyroid gland, which is most likely the cause of the high calcium and low phosphorous. They ended up pulling another blood sample and sent it to the lab for an evaluation of Humphrey’s ionized calcium, parathyroid levels and parathyroid hormone related peptide. 
Once this blood work comes back, Humphrey will need a biopsy of the mass to determine if it is malignant or benign, and then surgery to remove the mass. Hopefully, this will take care of his elevated calcium and low phosphorus levels.

We were instructed to keep a close eye on Humphrey, if the edema gets worse he will have to go right back to New Bolton. Until his blood work comes back, he will be staying at home where his is comfortable. 
Although we did not find a cause for our initial reason of going to New Bolton, we found another health issue that needed to be addressed. Hyperparathyroid is RARE in horses and many times can go undiagnosed without blood work and imaging.  Removing this tumor on his parathyroid will help Humphrey to live a normal life.  High calcium levels can cause fatigue, confusion, belly pain, muscle and bone pain and eventually lead to kidney failure.Although the edema is not related to this issue, it is a blessing in disguise that allowed us to find this tumor.

I am a graduate student trying to finish school while working two jobs.  His last round of surgeries has left me financially drained. I simply cannot give up on him after he has come so far.  I am asking fellow animal lovers out there to help me save Humphrey. at his intake, July 2017
Humphrey eye surgery post op Jan 2018
Humphrey hoof post op quittor surgery Jan 2018
Humphrey ventral pitting edema June 2018
Humphrey  ventral pitting edema, June 2018


Home from imaging! June 25, 2018


To follow Humphreys journey, check out his Instagram @humphreythemule