Cleo's injury vet and medical fees

Cleo is a beautiful 18yo TB 15 1hh. She's a darling sweet natured girl.
On Sunday 9th April 2017 Cleo had a horrific accident, that will take 3-4 months to recover from.



Cleo came to me as a rescue horse I was given in October 2016. She came to me emaciated and distressed.

With expert advice, we've been able to nurse her back to good health and strength.


On Sunday 9th April 2017 I received a call to attend the paddock urgently. I was not told what had happened. I asked if she was alive and was told yes. Beyond that I knew nothing of what had happened. I imagined her dying on the ground.
She had been found in the paddock with a horrific injury. She had degloved her thigh down to her knee and had a deep cut down to the bone approx. 30 cm long.
We do not know how she injured herself. When I first saw the injury I was shocked, but relieved that she was alive and standing.


The Randwick Equine Centre was called.
The vet worked on her for over 4 hours, and we have been working on keeping her comfortable in a stabled environment, on antibiotics. 


My paddock mate (who found Cleo) is also a vet nurse, assisted the vet. She's also helped with her care since.



She was so patient during this ordeal, she was still and quiet.


We have been fortunate to have a paddock neighbour allow us the use of her stable while Cleo is needing sheltered care.


We've put Penny, her 26 year old friend (also my girl)next to her, as she gets distressed when she's away from her. 

The preliminary Vet bill is $1300. The vets have attended several times already to change the bandages,as they kept slipping and are going to show me how to do it myself to save money.


We have worked out how to bandage it to stop it from slipping easily.

There will also be needed to purchase more bandages Cotton wool roll, Soffban, Vetrap, Elastoplast and gauze.  Plus, antiseptic ointments to clean the wound when changing the bandages.  This could well prove very expensive. It will really depend upon the course of the healing process. So it's a wait and see.She will need her drains removed.


The cost of a large square bale of straw/hay for bedding in her stable is $250. Cleo is in a deep litter stable and we are needing to keep her bedding fresh so her feet do not become moist and develop health issues, as she cannot leave the stall.


Plus there is the possibility of other treatments, should the skin die and we need to use something like manuka honey to help to healing and prevent infection. Hopefully she will stay infection free, she is currently on antibiotics.
Currently it is healing well, but it's early days.


I was widowed nearly 14 years ago and have been a single mum all this time. I also have a disabling illness that slows me down and just makes things harder and am struggling to meet this unexpected cost.
Any help is appreciated, and takes some of the pressure off caring for her in this state.
Please help us care for this darling girl.


Thank you for reading xx.

Dr Tom Bayes from Randwick Equine Centre has gone above and beyond for Cleo. Please like his profile at Meet The Vets - Tom Bayes for next Bondi Vet.