Romeo Update - Blood Tests Results - GOOD NEWS!!!

Hi all

Here is the latest from Shirley regarding Romeo.  I also want to add my thanks to all you awesome people that donated.  I hate to ask for help, but you guys are the only way these critters have a chance sometimes, and I am so grateful.  Without the proper test results, you simply cannot provide the proper care.  Thankfully, so many of them don't need that kind of testing, as their issues are obvious, but sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do.  So AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

HONEYBANDIT is turning rather dark.  I should have some new pix of him out soon.  He is doing well also.  Rocky sends big Rock Star Kisses and so do the rest of the gang.

The following is the latest and greatest news about ROMEO!

Enjoy!

All of our horsey love to you!


Hello All,

This morning we are all breathing a little easier and Romeo's vet bill was covered almost by the time our Doc could get out the next morning to take blood. Our LOVE and undying THANKS to Palomino for her quick action taken the very night she called when he had just started to fade on me so quickly. The FANTASTIC outpouring of donations for Romeo's blood tests will never be forgotten and I wish I could HUG and THANK each and every one of you for such unselfish giving. We had the complete series of blood work run on him because we did not know exactly what we might be dealing with and he was going down fairly quickly. The tests came back in late last night and he is fine in the area of NO bacterial infection or disease from tick infestation or any other blood diseases. His "white count" was normal and even just a tad to the low side but nothing to worry about. He does have inflammatory condition going on but again not anything life threatening. His kidney's are perfect which I had been a little worried about because of meds we had him on and that he was so dehydrated from day one. His electrolytes were down just a bit but that will come back up fast now that he is drinking and eating better.  

We had a good night last night finally with him sleeping comfortably and normally. His appetite has returned and is now drinking his electrolyte water, which gives me GREAT JOY. He did have another  spasm yesterday but we have been right by his side 24-7 since the first one and caught him before it took him down. I did light massage and he recovered much faster and without the panic that he had with the other spasms that had started hitting that day. This last spasm was early in the morning yesterday and has not had one since. We are continuing to be by his side for the "just in case" but he seems to be getting stronger now and more "in charge" of his own body than he has been since we brought him home. His gait picked up a little yesterday when he was moving around to graze but still very slow and weak compared to "normal" baby his age.

So with the blood report coming back and being able to take away the horrible worry and prospect of disease or infection, the conclusion is we will need to treat him strictly as head trauma baby. Yesterday while I was lightly brushing his head a piece of hair about an inch long came off and reveled that he obviously had been injured somehow although it had to be a little older injury as no swelling, scab or open wound could be seen since the day we brought him home. We check these little ones out from head to tail when they come home and nothing about his "head" seemed problematic except for his "dullness" and weak movements allowing for the thoughts of internal infection or disease process going on and he was severely dehydrated. I have to admit this is the first time we've had a baby that was showing brain functioning problems without definite signs of head trauma. With him being so covered in ticks and the "out of the blue" spasms that hit him 5 days after he came in, the thoughts automatically gravitate to some sort of neuro disease probs. if we don't have outward signs of injury. He did have weak back leg with old scab from some sort of scrap or fall and upper respiratory infection when we brought him home but amazingly not a thing on the rest of his body (except ticks) until I found the place on his head. My thoughts now go to he either fell or was injured in possible stallion fight commotion. It happens more than you would think that the little guys unfortunately get in the way when the stallions really go at it and EVERYTHING in their path is at big risk. We have "be there, done that" with a few head injured babies so we're now dedicated to the path of lots of "at his side" care and big patience while he slowly recovers.

We are still treating him with half the dose of Nexcel for 3 more days for ANY possible probs lingering. This morning he is eating well and drinking, more emotionally interactive with us and actually has some brightness in his eyes that tell me his little brain is on the way to healing hopefully with no permanent problems. We won't know exactly for a while if he can fully recover but I have the ultimate faith that he will be fine as long as nothing we can't see right now rears it's ugly head.

Sorry for the LONG, LONG update but we believe that everyone that loves and contributes to the "horse kids" care and welfare deserve explanations of outcome and it helps us all learn from EVERY experience and situation when the next injured or sick "horse kid" comes to any of us.

We LOVE YOU ALL for caring so much and contributing so fast to Romeo. We appreciated it much more than we could ever tell you all and community support is the only way that rescues can keep going and help with the emergencies that present themselves at the drop of a hat.

"Dad" has been babysitting while I write to you so I better relieve him so he can get some of his chores done.

THE BIGGEST HUGS TO ALL and MORE THANKS than I can express. It's never the physical work in taking care of these little guys but the horrid worry of the unknown absolutely consumes us until we find answers and you all have been solely responsible for taking a major part of THAT element out of Romeo's care now.

Take GOOD Care Everyone,
Bruce, Shirl and Critter Kids Too

Romeo sends LOVE, THANKS and BIG sloppy kisses.