Stories of Star Horses
Mai’s Story – by Lauren Evans (Mai’s owner)
After understanding that Mai needed an operation for her infected pedal bone although trying to stay positive I tried to prepare myself for the worst of Mai not waking up after the anaesthetic. However I don’t think anything could prepare anyone for the phone call I got late at night from the vet. Mai had woken up from the anaesthetic but was unable to get up and appeared to have lost all use of her back end and was suffering from severe muscle and possible nerve damage - a condition known as Post-anaesthetic myopathy.
The drive to the Scott Dunn’s was the longest drive in the world constantly wondering why this had happened and why to Mai and what was going to happen, the whole situation felt surreal. Arriving at Scott Dunn’s and seeing Mai laying in the recovery box helpless was heartbreaking. Iain was brilliant and explained that the whole of the Scott Dunn team had been trying all evening to help get Mai up but she just didn't have the strength. Mai was hooked up to bags of fluids and anti-inflammatories and all I could do was sit with her, cuddle her and talk to her - I felt so useless. It was horrendous watching her lay flat down on her side her eyes so sad and sleepy and then watching her struggling to get up but her back end just appeared dead and all she could do was push forward with her front legs, she looked exhausted. Iain was fantastic and stayed with her that night in the operating theatre, telling me he wanted to give her the benefit of doubt and they would try getting her up in the morning. I don’t think words can explain how I felt except for physically sick and petrified. That night I had no sleep and every time I closed my eyes I wished when I opened them that it had all been a nightmare but sadly it wasn't - it was very real and there was nothing I could do.
The morning came and Mai still lay in the box, sweaty and exhausted. Although Mai being Mai she was remarkable and kept eating!! I owe Mai’s life to Simon and Iain - they told me that they were not going to give up on her while there was hope and without their faith and the teams extremely hard work around the clock, Mai would not be here today. That day they winched her into a stable with a lovely deep bed but it was unbearable watching her laying down trying to move from laying flat to on her belly to try to get comfortable. She kept trying to get up but just lurched forward hitting her face on the stable walls, cutting her eyes and getting sores on her body from where she lay. She was in pain with her foot and the vets had to use ropes to turn her from side to side. She was so helpless and despite being given numerous drugs she still couldn’t get up. I cannot believe how she kept her fighting spirit or kept eating and drinking but she did! Another sleepless night feeling sick to the stomach.
The following day I knew it was decision time and the vets knew they had to get Mai on her feet as her kidneys had started to struggle. Twelve firemen from local fire stations spent their time trying to winch Mai up onto her feet, they all put in so much hard work. All I could do was pray for Mai and it really was a miracle that she was able to stand on her feet and stay standing, albeit in a support. I was touched by the fireman’s kindness and the extraordinary amount of work that everyone put in to help Mai, words cannot describe how grateful and thankful I am. Mai looked so poorly but it was amazing to see her standing even if it was assisted. I never gave up hope because the thought of living without her was intolerable.
We had a long journey ahead with Mai, she spent days still attached to drips and she had a catheter fitted so the fluids could get through her quicker to help her kidneys function. She was bandaged up so her legs had more support and cream was applied to all her sores as her skin was literally peeling off. Blood tests were also frequently taken which she hated. But she is a fighter and I spent every minute I could with her, just hoping and praying. Everyone at Scott Dunn’s was amazing - the care she received was beyond anything I could imagine or thought was possible. Roz Collins was amazing during Mai’s time at the hospital and I cannot thank her enough for the time she spent giving Mai massages to help stimulate her muscles. She did a fantastic job and was so supportive.
It really was unbelievable how Mai accepted being in the support, which was chained to the roof of the stable. All she could do was stand in the same spot and move in a circle but she didn’t misbehave at all. It was like she understood her limitations and dealt with them - she has an amazing character and temperament which has made me so proud!
During Mai’s stay at the hospital for a further 5 weeks there were many ups and downs.
Mai had to be let out her support to see if she could stand herself and although she was able to stand on her
own and walk slowly, she did lay down a further three times. She was unable to get up on her own and was assisted
up with the support by Simon and the team. Each time this happened my heart sank and I was constantly worrying with
everything she had been through whether she would ever be able to get up on her own. Mai began to lose a lot of weight
but the girls at the hospital looked after her so well, giving her lots of feeds, grooming her and checking on her
throughout the day and night. It was astonishing to see the small improvements that Mai made over the course of many weeks.
Although it was a major challenge I was over the moon the day Mai was taken out the stable after so many weeks for her
first few steps of walk without the support. Mai was making steady progress and after a long time of being in her
support and being walked slowly out her stable for a few minutes to get her muscles working, the day came where she
was let free at night and in the morning was covered in wood shavings implying
she had been down and got back up on her own! This felt like the best day of my life and although
I knew we had a long way ahead she had done it for herself and the relief was overwhelming,
I was ecstatic. Shortly after I was able to walk her out and even hand graze her which Mai loved!
She spent the rest of her time at the hospital out of her support and her sores began to heal and her fur grew back.
She also became cheekier demanding more attention! Finally the day arrived for Mai to come home and this felt amazing!
Seeing her load into the box, step out the other end shouting to her friends and watching her
lay down in her stable at home, being able to get up again was a miracle.
No words can describe how thankful and grateful I am to everyone at Scott Dunn’s and everyone that assisted in saving Mai. An amazing bunch of people not only providing the best care possible to Mai but much support to my family and I. For everything they have done I will be eternally grateful and I owe Mai’s life and my happiness to them.
Belle becomes a Mum
Congratulations to new mum “Dragon Flyer” owned by Mrs Melita Royall. “Dragon Flyer” also known “Belle” is a 17 year old maiden mare and gave birth to her first foal “Phoenix” on 10th May 2011 following a single successful artificial insemination programme by our stud vet, Carmel Welsh.
As you can see both mum and baby are very well and we wish them every success for the future.