Honouring Cupid

My dear friend Dorothy Puddester is an avid animal lover. She has been a huge supporter of many rescue groups, including my own, through personal donations and her business Hooves & Paws Photograpy. In March of this year, her beloved 17 year old Belgian Draft Horse, Cupid, started showing signs of illness that included a runny nose. Her veterinarian came out to assess him, and he was diagnosed with a sinus infection. Treatment with antibiotics began and lasted for a period of two weeks, but unfortunately, Cupid's symptoms persisted.  The next step was sedation and xrays which showed a severe blockage of his sinus cavity. Cupid then underwent a procedure to flush his sinuses which involved drilling a hole into his head to drain his sinuses daily which was done over the course of 14 days. Every day that he had to have his sinuses flushed he also had to be sedated.

During the second week of May, Cupid developed fever which reached as high as 40 degrees and went on for five days, eventually brought under control by Phenylbutazone (also known as "Bute"). This analgesic relieves pain and inflammation, and he is still on it today, over a month later. As well, Cupid requires large doses of Metronidazole, receiving 50 pills soaked in his feed three times a day to be given to him.  Sadly, this treatment did not resolve  the infection so he was started on IV antibiotics and penicillin, which STILL was not enough to bring his illness under control On May 15th, Cupid had another Xray which was sent to a Board Certified Radiologist for consult.  It was around this time that he also starting showing signs of neurological impairment such as circling, the inability to walk in a straight line and bumping into things.  It was determined that the infection had likely reached his brain, and the only option left was to immediately start Cupid on Chloramphenicol at the astronomical cost of $150 per day for 21 days straight. This medication has to be given to him via syringe three times a day and it was started on May 22nd. This is on top of all the other vet visits, diagnostics and medications that have already been tried without success. Knowing that this was Cupids final and only hope, Dorothy made the decision to move forward, confiding in me that she had no idea where she would come up with the funds to cover the huge cost, however, she is  not willing to deny Cupid his final chance at recovery. 

As her friend, and someone who has been the benefactor of her kindness and generosity too many times to count, I have decided to pay forward her love of the animals I rescue to Cupid by starting this campaign. 

Please consider making a donation to help this amazing lady do all she can to save the life of her beautiful horse, Cupid.