Donate to Help Save Our Sweet Barn Donkey Violet

Violet, our sweet, lovable, adorable small two-year-old donkey, became severely sick and lethargic on April 27th.

 

Side by side with her partner Woody, they are always found together playing around the barn. But Violet is truly special. She’s a cuddler, a snuggler, and a sweet soul. Her absence at the stable is felt by all and has left a hole in our hearts.

 

By the time the emergency vet reached the barn, Violet could barely lift her head and her breathing was labored. The vet examined Violet and determined probable Botulism, and she would require immediate hospitalization. I looked into Violet's weary eyes half-closed and vowed to her I would not let her go without a fight. The most practical means of transportation at the moment to make her calm and secure was the back of a Volvo SUV. As we gently loaded her in, I prayed we would make it in time to stabilize her.

 

Through the excellent care at Allegheny Equine, Violet was stabilized. It was further determined that she would require more expertise with extensive testing and care at Ohio State University. With the initial care at Allegheny Equine saving her life literally within an hour of her leaving this world, the transport to Ohio State University and the daily care and testing, Violet's future is still unknown.

 

If this is Botulism, her road to recovery will not only be uncertain, it will be extremely cost-consuming. She will have to go through rehab due to several muscles in atrophy, and recovery can take weeks to years. Many animals die from Botulism because the bacteria takes over the body and eventually, paralysis sets into the respiratory tract before it is noticed, but due to the care and attention animals receive at this rescue barn, Violet is still here for a reason, and we hope to find generous individuals and organizations who will help us continue to fight for Violet's life.

 

There are various causes of Botulism, and it is extremely rare but becoming more frequent in Western Pa. By doing this, we may be able to determine exactly what happened to Violet and prevent this from happening to others. At this time her roommate Woody has been unaffected as well as the other horses and animals on the property....that is why this is such a mystery, and we need your help to save Violet.