It’s taken me a while to feel comfortable sharing this, but here goes. And while we still don’t definitively know what’s wrong with her, Miss Harriet is doing well this week.
Back in December, shortly after we arrived in Virginia, we celebrated Harriet’s birthday and her first anniversary with us.
She was doing well then, along with everyone else in the herd.
It was about a month and a half later that we called the vet. Despite the fact that she was eating, Harriet was losing weight. Here are my journal notes…
Wednesday, February 19, 2014:
Update on Harriet. She’s lost some weight since we got to Virginia (no one else has) – despite the fact that over the last several weeks we’ve been feeding her unlimited hay, three cups of equine senior mash three times daily, plus a tub of alfalfa cubes daily. The vet was just here to see her – she said that Harriet’s teeth had a couple of minor but sharp points, so we’ll schedule a dental for her soon (this isn’t currently keeping her from eating though). All of Harriet’s heart/lung/gut sounds were good. The vet took blood and is going to run a standard panel plus send a sample to Cornell to rule out Cushing’s. They also took a fecal sample with them.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014:
Cushing’s came back negative. Harriet’s protein levels are low. Took her to Blue Ridge Equine Clinic in Charlottesville for an abdominal ultrasound. Harriet has thickening of her small intestine that is preventing her from absorbing nutrients. A test for Lawsonia is pending. If that is negative, she likely has inflammatory bowel disease or lymphoma. An exploratory surgery with biopsy would be needed to differentiate between these and is not recommended. These may be treated with steroids.
Harriet (with shaved sides) after her ultrasound:
Wednesday, March 19, 2014:
Lawsonia test came back negative. I just talked with the vet… she said that based on Harriet’s age, she would more likely assume some form of lymphoma. She wants to start Harriet on 10 mg dexamethasone (steroids) – if Harriet’s issue is inflammation of the bowel, this could help for years… if her issue is indeed lymphoma, it would help for a shorter time period.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014:
The vet just left – Harriet had a bad day today. She started feeling bad after lunch and wouldn’t eat at all this afternoon. She started having diarrhea, hid in a corner and kept her head down, postured to pee and didn’t… we took her temperature and it was about 103.5. Gave her Banamine while we waited for the vet and her temperature went down to normal range.
The on call vet came and did a complete exam… her heart rate is double the normal, her gums are dark red, her breath is bad and she’s generally distressed. She doesn’t appear to have had any (positive) reaction to the steroids and she’s continuing to lose weight. The vet fears that if the diagnosis of lymphoma is correct that something may have perforated – that would explain the fever.
She tubed Harriet and forced water/electrolytes into Harriet in case she was dehydrated…
The vet took blood and we should know more tomorrow… our regular vet will be here at noon for spring vaccines for the herd, so we should know more then. The vet tonight left antibiotics to fight any infection, which we’re giving to her every twelve hours for the next week to ten days.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014 (morning):
She looks good this morning – she’s got a spark back in her eye and is her feisty self. No temperature, administered her antibiotics and she’s eating. I’m heading to the grocery store to get her favorite strawberries – our regular vet will be here around noon today.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014 (afternoon):
Our regular vet was here. Harriet has had a regular poop, peed, no fever, heart rate normal, gums normal color again… she’s still not herself, but she’s not at all distressed like she was yesterday afternoon. Her blood work came back – her total protein is still low, which means that she’s still not absorbing what she needs from her feed – and it is likely that the steroids aren’t working as we had hoped. We’re going to keep a really close eye on her – looks like time will tell.
It’s amazing how much our herd loves Dr. Hecking and how at ease they are around her. In this picture, Dr. Hecking was on the phone consulting with the vet that did Harriet’s ultrasound while Harriet listened in:
Tuesday, April 8, 2014:
Just got results of Harriet’s diarrhea panel and it came back completely negative. The other good news is that she has her poop back in a group these last few days and is again eating and acting well… we’re keeping our fingers crossed that things stay this way. The positive thoughts and prayers must be working.
Thursday, April 24, 2014:
Another blood test. While Harriet’s total protein is lower now than it was at the beginning of April, she hasn’t lost any additional weight.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014:
Harriet continues to eat and act well. We know that the thickening of her small intestine is preventing her from absorbing nutrients, but we don’t know what is causing it. Lymphoma? Inflammatory bowel disease? There’s no way to know without an exploratory surgery, and we aren’t going to put Harriet through that.
What I can tell you is that Miss Harriet has finally realized that she really is a donkey and that she can’t stand to be separated from her herd – even for a moment. Go figure, Bernard seems to be her best friend in the herd. He spends a lot of quiet time with her, which is contrary to his nature.
We will be watching her closely, working with Dr. Hecking to monitor her condition. We’ll make sure that she’s eating and drinking and not showing us signs of distress. And we will be hoping that she will make it for a long while longer.
Here’s what Don wrote about our first year with Harriet:
Harriet has brought so much joy to our life here at Morning Bray Farm. Her gentle and loving nature is unrivaled. The way she looks at you with her soulful eyes will melt even the hardest of hearts. We have been so blessed to share this last year with her, and look forward to many more to come.
Truer words were never spoken.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
April 30, 2014 at 6:31 am
My best and warmest and most encouraging and peaceful thoughts to all of you.
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April 30, 2014 at 7:51 am
It’s so hard when they don’t feel good — especially when it’s not clear what is wrong, and not clear what to do………
Sending good thoughts to you all!!!!!!!!!!
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April 30, 2014 at 8:11 am
So sorry that Harriet is sick. It’s especially hard that you don’t know exactly what’s causing the problem. At least she is feeling some better and has stopped losing weight.
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April 30, 2014 at 8:43 am
(((sigh))) That terrible, awful, amazing thing called love. Prayers that you get many more wonderful days, weeks and months with Harriet. Prayers for strength on the day she tells you she’s done. She is the luckiest donkey on the planet to be with you and Don. Love, CeeCee
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April 30, 2014 at 8:43 am
Keeping you guys in our thoughts. Hopefully it will clear up soon!
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April 30, 2014 at 8:57 am
Thanks for sharing this. I’m always so glad to see your posts.
Harriet couldn’t be with more wonderful people. I’ll be thinking about you and looking forward to news.
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April 30, 2014 at 8:57 am
Very interesting (and heart-breaking) post. I wish you and Harriet all the best.
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April 30, 2014 at 9:34 am
I’m still scratching my head about what happened between April 1 and April 2. It had to be divine intervention, or perhaps your donkey-rescuing karma account was so full that some of it overflowed onto Harriet. Whatever. It’s given you more time with sweet Harriet. Great big hugs to you all.
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April 30, 2014 at 10:13 am
Justina and Don, You guys are the best thing that ever happened to Harriet! I know how stressful it is when your ‘kids’ are sick with mystery illnesses. I hope she continues to improve and spends many more years with you. It sounds like Bernard is growing up. I love that he is a comfort to Harriet.
Sending good thoughts to the entire herd!
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April 30, 2014 at 10:32 am
It’s a good thing you brought her home–I remember you feeling a little guilty about taking an older burro out of the wild, but I doubt she would have pulled through that crisis without you. And now she gets even more time to enjoy being part of her herd.
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April 30, 2014 at 10:38 am
Aw this post has me in tears! It’s so frightening when things go wrong and you don’t know why- but it sure sounds like your vets are on top of things. I pray that Harriet will continue to improve and you have a treatment plan that works.
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April 30, 2014 at 10:46 am
Totally understand why this was a difficult post to share, but I’m so glad you did. Sending many good thoughts and prayers to the whole Morning Bray family. What a great family you are!
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April 30, 2014 at 12:21 pm
I understand how hard this must have been to post. I’m glad you did so I can send prayers and Aloha to Harriet, you, Don and the rest of the herd. So happy to hear that Bernard has become Harriet’s companion. Praying for many more years for Harriet to enjoy the herd.
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April 30, 2014 at 12:21 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Harriet’s troubles, I devoutly hope that she feels better. I know she could not ask for a better, more caring home. I also know how hard it is to have one of your loved ones so sick. All of you will be in my thoughts and we will be sending all the healing vibes that we can.
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April 30, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Oh, this is heartbreaking. It’s so agonizing not knowing what the problem is. If I know what it is, then I can deal with it. It’s the not knowing that twists my insides. How sweet that Bernard is holding vigil with her so lovingly. It’s a blessing that you have such an awesome vet. I’ll hold Harriet – and you – in my prayers and await the best possible outcome. Carolynn
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April 30, 2014 at 2:07 pm
Argh. So frustrating :-(. I have a friend who’s used Succeed and was really happy with how it helped in a similar sounding situation – horse, though…
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April 30, 2014 at 6:41 pm
If the vet did not check for Salmonella you might take another fecal sample and check that as where there’s high temperature plus diarrhea there may be salmonella going on. Also take another extended full blood panel – one of the things that happens with Salmonella is a strange set of ratios between packed cell volume and blood protein levels (hope I have those two terms right, we went through this with one of our show horses who had gotten into some contaminated water, and the vet discussed the inverted blood ratios that occurred with salmonella poisoning). Jingling curb chain for luck (old-fashioned good luck charm, jingling a curb chain!).
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April 30, 2014 at 10:31 pm
Thanks for the update and so happy she is feeling better!
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May 1, 2014 at 11:21 am
Oh, bless her heart! I hope each day finds Harriet doing better. Thumbs pressed!
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May 1, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Your journal shows exactly how much you love your herd, how you attend to whatever they need and how thorough you are with your care. Even though the entries were not all positive, I was smiling because it is obvious that Harriet is a valued member of the family and everything possible is being done for her. We subscribe to your theory around here … quality of life is everything for our critters.
Here’s hoping that you find out the cause of her illness. At the very least, let’s hope that it’s some idiopathic mystery and that she continues to improve.
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May 1, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Harriet and you all are in my thoughts, heart, and prayers especially for Harriet’s condition. I’m glad that you have that wonderful animal vet like the one you had back in NM. I can see Dr. Hecking is very good with your animals since they all love her. That’s the most important for them to know that she would give them comfort and love as well. Again, my thoughts are with you all, my love ones! MeMaw
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May 5, 2014 at 10:58 am
I am keeping Harriet and you in my prayers. I will look for updates, and good news. It is hard when they can’t tell you what is wrong…..And they are a beloved part of our family! Good Thoughts and HUGS sent your way.
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May 13, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Thank you for keeping us updated. I am definitely praying for that sweet baby girl. xo to all of you!
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