From Jen at Pure Thoughts Tuesday, March 06, 2007 12:54 AM

Here is what happened when [FITCH] arrived at U of Ga. [Tues March 6]

When Fitch arrived he was laying down and had been for some hours. This is always bad as a horse cannot take their own weight for extended periods of time. It compromises their breathing and can cause a myriad of other problems with organs (this would of course include the lungs).

Fitch has a team of 12 waiting for him and working to save him . . .


They had done an ultra sound that was showing free flowing gas in the abdominal area (not the intestines and gut where they would normally be) which would indicate that there was a possibility of a twisted intestine. That in itself is a death warrant. Usually with a twisted intestine they go septic (you will see the toxin line in the gum area). They could not confirm the twist via the ultrasound and the only other way to test for this is a belly tap. A small area is shaved on the underbelly and about a 6 inch tap (looks like a big almost blunt type needle) is inserted right in the center of the belly. The fluid that is normally in the abdominal area is usually a clear to really light yellow serum type liquid. If the tap comes out into the tube they collect and the fluid in it is brown then fecal matter is in the abdomen and there is definately a rupture. Ftich's came back clear.

During this time they drew blood and his potassium levels skyrocketed. They also did a urinalysis by drawing off his urine by catheritization. This can be caused as we all know from several different things, one of them being a severe trauma. This in turn can cause renal failure (kidney failure). And with renal failure you have two types (acute and chronic) Acute being brought on by trauma and other disorders.

As this was happening Fitch began to swell in the abdomen to a great degree from the free gas. Since it is not in the gut or intestines it has no way out. And once again surgery was not an option as his system was already in such a state of shock they would lose him from the anesthetic alone

As they were doing all the blood work to confirm his potassium levels still climbed and poor Fitch started to seizure. This was most likely due to the high potassium levels. Fitch was crashing despite the doctors best efforts. The order was given to resusitate him when he faded and unfortunately the time for Fitch had come to pass over to the rainbow bridge.

I was dreading this moment from the minute I was told what happened to Fitch. In the end, Fitch performed a selfless act that I will forever be thankful to him for.. He took the decison away from me..

God Bless Tracy for all she did for this boy.. She was at his side until the very end... and even afterwards. Fitch was not left at the University. He is going home with Tracy in a big pile a shavings taking his last ride. He will be buried on her property with a beautiful headstone so that all can see and remember beautiful innocent Fitch.

Jen


Jennifer Swanson
Pure Thoughts
Horse & Foal Rescue
www.saveafoal.com

Saving the life of a horse may not change the world...........
........but it will change that horse's world.

Here is the email as we received it with names taken out.

Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007
Place: Honea Path, SC

Hey Everyone,

This is just unbelievable and awful. This is one of those things that you read about but you always think it will happen to someone else. Tracy lives in South Carolina.

Last night someone tried to steal Abercrombie and Fitch, (the two red quarter horse babies that were from the broker and now are at Tracy's.) Fitch was the baby who was sick with a major URI and now has been recovering and finally starting to put on a little weight, he was a very sick little boy.

Well Abercrombie leads just fine but Fitch doesn't like to. They DRAGGED Fitch down her driveway, which is like a road it is so long.. Tracy woke up early this morning and Abercrombie was running around the yard and Fitch was laying in the driveway. He is missing two teeth, had road rash and cuts all over his side, missing hair and his hooves are all cut up and scraped down to the wall. Tracy filed a police report and the vet is on his way. This boy has still not stood up and will not eat or drink.

Please say prayers for Fitch and for Tracy, he really needs them. I will keep everyone posted.

Jennifer S.

Pictures courtesy of Pure Thoughts Inc.

Fitch's treatment includes:

• Colic from stress
• Shock from trauma
• Many abrasions
• Broken front teeth
• Large hemotoma on right side caused by dragging
• Also from being pulled ribs split and caused hernia
• Fluids are pocketing in his skin under belly and on side.
• Received IV fluids including electrolytes, steroids and many antibiotics.
• Will require further critical care and supervision.

The doctor has said his chance of survival is now 50 50, which is better than it was hours ago.

We do not know if Fitch will make it .. He is under veterinarian care and supervision now, and we will see if this little horse has one more fight left in him.. I don't know if he does.. I don't know if he has the will to live... life has not been good to him and this may be the end for this young soul. He has only known the loving hands of Tracy and her family. every other human in his life has let him down and hurt him....mankind has stripped him of his spirit and his will...

Jennifer Swanson
Pure Thoughts
Horse & Foal Rescue