Gunner

Some of you remember 7 years ago, when we as a community banded together to save a yearling Percheron that ran through the Topeka draft horse auction and ended up on a meat farm. It’s been a wonderful 7 years watching him grow up (and up, and up!!!) to 19.3 hands tall, and 2400lbs. He quickly became a local celebrity, and is loved by all who meet him. He is truly a gentle giant.

Gunner needs our help again. In mid August, while backing out of the trailer at the fair, his hind shoe got caught in the bumper causing him to fall backwards, and ending with his legs wrenched and under the trailer. His left shoe was eventually pulled off, freeing him but leaving him incredibly sore. He made it through the week a bit sore but seeming to improve with medication and hosing.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, he became sore again in his left hind. The vet diagnosed as an abscess and prescribed a round of antibiotics. It seemed to clear, but returned with a vengeance. He is now extremely sore in both hind feet, with two abscesses blowing out on his left hind, and one in his right hind. He will not bear any weight on his left at all, which is exacerbating the issue in his right. The vet has been out numerous times, and has done X-rays which are starting to show rotation of his coffin bones. He’s had nerve blocks, injections of strong antibiotics directly into his leg, oral antibiotics, pain relief, and countless hours of cold hosing and ice boots. The chiropractor has been out multiple times for magnawave therapy as well. Despite all this, his impressive size is his downfall here with all that massive weight bearing down on painful feet. His spirits seem good, but it’s incredibly painful for him to stand up and walk any significant distance. The vet is coming back yet again this Thursday for more films of his feet. We are trying everything to save our wonderful boy, and he is checked on, cold hosed, and iced around the clock. The bills are mounting sky high with no end in sight. Asking for donations is literally the last thing anyone wants to do, but we are putting pride aside and asking. If anyone can chip in to help with his ongoing care, we would be deeply grateful. It’s so heartbreaking and frustrating to try everything you can over and over without any clear answers. If you’d prefer to donate directly towards his bill at the vet clinic, please contact Beadle Lake Veterinary Clinic at [phone redacted] (account is for Gunner, under Sharon Kaiser). Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!