Mikey & Ikey Update 10/30

Hi All,


Sorry it has been a while.  Took the boys to the vet last week. She did blood work and gave them a steroid to see if that would improve things.  We also changed the bedding to straw to see if they possibly were having an allergic reaction to the shavings.  (They are not allergic to the shavings, which is a blessing as it is easier to keep the stall clean - especially with two of them and it is imperative that we not have that "ammonia" smell as it is very harmful to their lungs.)


The blood work showed normal on Ikey and Mikey's showed a slightly elevated white count and had very low indicators that an infection was present.  The conclusion is that neither of them have pneumonia, but they have some type of bronchitis.


The boys have continued eating and drinking well, and are growing and gaining weight.  Ikey still keeps his ears pinned back most of the time, (he is tired of being sick)  as they are still having issues with their breathing and are still coughing, although Mikey's cough is worse than Ikey's.  They are exhausted  (this has been going on for nearly 6 weeks) and still struggling to breathe, especially when they are lying down, which makes it hard for them to get good rest.  Both boys are fighters though and are giving it their all.   We are continuing to keep the positive energy and let them know that they are loved and need to be here.


Last week I received a wonderful phone call.  It brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.  Thanks to a wonderful woman in Florida, who picked up the phone and told them about Mikey & Ikey, the folks at VIBRA VM donated one of their units to help us with the boys.  In summary, these machines send energy in the form of sound waves, in the correct frequency, to loosen the mucous plugs that can cause breathing problems.  The VIBRA VM has been used successfully to treat COPD/Heaves, Emphysema, Asthma, Influenza, Sinusitis, Barn Cough, Pneumonia, Feline Asthma, and Kennel Cough.  Their website is WWW.VIBRAVM.COM.  Please visit it for more information.


We had our first two sessions yesterday, about 4-5 minutes each time.  Both boys were absolutely fine with the treatment and showed no nervousness whatsoever.  They haven't spent too much time standing still for long periods, but they both did very well.   We were very pleased to find that their nostrils were quite wet and we even had a little drip of mucous.  This is wonderful as so far, their coughing has been for naught and the offending mucous refuses to leave their airways.  So a change has been made.  Woohooo PTL!!!


We will continue to treat them daily and keep you all updated.  We are needing to purchase another bag of foal lac pellets and

their grain this week.  We are so grateful for all the help and support, from prayers to suggestions and of course the money that we need to provide their veterinary care and feed.  You can go to WWW.CHILLYPEPPER.WEEBLY.COM and donate there, or go directly to Paypal and donate through Palominodancer@yahoo.com or contact us at Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, 34694 Sidebottom Road, Shingletown, CA  96088.  All donations are tax deductible and much appreciated.  Once again y'all have come through and made it possible to give these amazing and courageous little guys a chance at life.  We are going on 6 weeks and praying hard that we start turning the boys in a new direction and see improvement as opposed to them feeling worse.  Will post some pix/video of the boys getting their treatment as soon as I can.


Thank you again for making it possible to help these guys through the tough times they are facing.  We simply could not provide the standard of care and feed they enjoy without your help.  You guys are awesome, and I have to say "it takes the world to save a foal".  God bless!


Palomino


p.s.  Please excuse my writing as I am a tiny bit tired and definitely in my "double foal coma".  :)