WH CASPER
- Sponsorship needed
- Is in palliative care
July 18th 2016: Our palliative crew, including WH Opal, Casper, Red and Smudge, are all coping amazingly in this very cold winter. They all have extra rugs under their winter rugs, and don't particularly seem to like being yarded on the really cold nights! Smudge bursts out of his yard while being led - so keen to return to their free ranging around the track!
January 30th 2016: WH Casper; as many of you know, this dear +32 yr old senior horse, has multiple melanomas, including a massive one, involving his anus. Summer is his challenging time, as any irritation causes him to rub it a little, which seems to 'activate' the whole mass, resulting in the need for daily cleaning and ample coverage of protective Filtabac and Cetrigen. The mass looks awful, yet doesn't seem to bother Casper much. Nonetheless, a regular check by Emma, makes sure we are on track, & she is happy with his (palliative) care. Fortunately, she was very pleased with both his state of health and the management of this very unusual health challenge.
October 12th 2015: We had a scare with dear senior boy, WH Casper, last night.
Thanks to our vigilant feedout volunteer, Kath Ball, she noticed that Casperwas looking uncomfortable while she rugged him. He was shifting weight from one back leg to the other, and lifting one at a time, as though the leg straps were annoying him.
Not surprisingly, he was displaying signs of mild colic, so we called Barwon Equine, and Dr. Claire attended.
His vital signs were all within normal limits, but a sedative and pain relief, as well as oily bran mash, was called for.
A fair bit of flatuence later, and obs during the night, we have our happyCasper again.
We are mindful that our time with him is limited.
When Werribee Hospital assessed him well over a year ago, they noted many golf ball sized melanomas in large intestine/rectum. It is now impossible to do an internal examination, so the melanomas may well be getting large enough, to make defaecation an issue soon.
We will monitor him closely, and hope that his body can happily function for as long as possible.
Surgery is not an option for this gentleman of approximately 31 yrs of age.
Thanks to our vigilant feedout volunteer, Kath Ball, she noticed that Casperwas looking uncomfortable while she rugged him. He was shifting weight from one back leg to the other, and lifting one at a time, as though the leg straps were annoying him.
Not surprisingly, he was displaying signs of mild colic, so we called Barwon Equine, and Dr. Claire attended.
His vital signs were all within normal limits, but a sedative and pain relief, as well as oily bran mash, was called for.
A fair bit of flatuence later, and obs during the night, we have our happyCasper again.
We are mindful that our time with him is limited.
When Werribee Hospital assessed him well over a year ago, they noted many golf ball sized melanomas in large intestine/rectum. It is now impossible to do an internal examination, so the melanomas may well be getting large enough, to make defaecation an issue soon.
We will monitor him closely, and hope that his body can happily function for as long as possible.
Surgery is not an option for this gentleman of approximately 31 yrs of age.
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August 2015: Hi all, Michelle here with a slightly delayed post. This is one of our "golden oldies" WH Casper, looking beautifully relaxed after having a pamper session with WH volunteer Carly, on Saturday afternoon.
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June 18th 2015: Emma & Holly also took our frantic call, earlier, when Jadae discovered poor WH Casper, nearly passing, from choke. Luckily he recovered, with some assistance. His feeds will now need to be very sloppy, as it is likely one/more of his melanomas is starting to impact his oesophagus.
March 12th 2015: Dear old boy, WH Casper, has been feeling his age somewhat, so Carly bought him up for some TLC with Joy and lovely new volunteer Barbara.
We have also juggled his paddock mates, as one of his buddies was a little too energetic, and too much for an old bloke to put up with, so he is now in with WH Ben, the younger boy from the knackery.
We have also juggled his paddock mates, as one of his buddies was a little too energetic, and too much for an old bloke to put up with, so he is now in with WH Ben, the younger boy from the knackery.
October 13th 2014: WH Casper's blood test did indicate he is a Cushing's boy- we will chat with our vet tomorrow, regarding starting him on Pergolide.
October 1st 2014: WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTO - but for a good reason....Apologies if this photo offends, but we felt it was important to post. It shows the size of the melanoma, involving WH Casper's anal area. At left, upon intake, earlier this year. At right, it's reduction in size, after using Sera's Fix Tumor Guard.
We wil try to get a better comparison, but there is a definite reduction in size, which is fantastic.
As you may have read recently, it is still too large for Werribee Equine to operate on, but they are happy for us to proactively prevent flystrike, as Casper is very happy in himself, and can defaecate without issue.
Ann of Sera's Fix, is sending us her own cream blend, to keep insects at bay, as fly season is the challenging time for him.
We are so proud of Casper, who has such a zest for life. If anyone has any doubt about the quality of his life, we invite you to come and meet him, and see him with your own eyes.
Much love, Carolyn.
We wil try to get a better comparison, but there is a definite reduction in size, which is fantastic.
As you may have read recently, it is still too large for Werribee Equine to operate on, but they are happy for us to proactively prevent flystrike, as Casper is very happy in himself, and can defaecate without issue.
Ann of Sera's Fix, is sending us her own cream blend, to keep insects at bay, as fly season is the challenging time for him.
We are so proud of Casper, who has such a zest for life. If anyone has any doubt about the quality of his life, we invite you to come and meet him, and see him with your own eyes.
Much love, Carolyn.
September 20th 2014: We took WH Casper to Werribee Equine Hospital yesterday. Dr. Cate Steel assessed his large melanoma, which has large anal involvement. Unfortunately, it was too risky to debulk, but Cate was very happy with his overall health and improvement since arrival at TWHEW Inc, so we will actively manage his fly strike prevention, which is the main concern.
He had blood taken to test for Cushing's as well.
He had blood taken to test for Cushing's as well.
September 8th 2014: Remember WH Casper, our beautiful grey boy, with the football sized melanoma, growing on his bottom?
Well, he has enough weight on and strength, for a trip to Werribee Equine Hospital, for assessment.
The plan is to debulk his tumor, under epidural anesthetic, which will hopefully make him so much more comfortable, especially during fly season.
We need your help, as his surgery has been quoted to be an energy exchange of $2-4,000.
If you can contribute any amount, we will be so very grateful.
At this stage, he will pop up to Werribee some time next week.
Thank you in advance!
Well, he has enough weight on and strength, for a trip to Werribee Equine Hospital, for assessment.
The plan is to debulk his tumor, under epidural anesthetic, which will hopefully make him so much more comfortable, especially during fly season.
We need your help, as his surgery has been quoted to be an energy exchange of $2-4,000.
If you can contribute any amount, we will be so very grateful.
At this stage, he will pop up to Werribee some time next week.
Thank you in advance!
March 30th 2014: Received the rather overwhelming news today, that our beloved WHCasper, can have surgery (in Werribee) to resect part of his tumor, but it is estimated to cost between $2000-$3000.
We are still paying off previous vet bills, and are not in a position to pay for this surgery, though we aim to raise the money as soon as possible, so we can give Casper a chance at a quality life.
We have contacted The Herald Sun, hoping they may run a story for us.
Any other suggestions welcomed, as this is urgent.
If you would like to donate to help WH Casper, please deposit funds, with reference "WH Casper"
We are still paying off previous vet bills, and are not in a position to pay for this surgery, though we aim to raise the money as soon as possible, so we can give Casper a chance at a quality life.
We have contacted The Herald Sun, hoping they may run a story for us.
Any other suggestions welcomed, as this is urgent.
If you would like to donate to help WH Casper, please deposit funds, with reference "WH Casper"
March 16th 2014: An update on our new boy, WH Casper. Our lovely vet assessed him on Friday.
Some might find the following details too graphic, so please avoid reading, if needed.
We want to keep everyone informed, however, so please use discretion.
His most urgent issue is the huge melanoma, which extends from his rear. It encompasses his anus, & was riddled with maggots upon arrival, is by far the largest our vet has seen.
We are exploring surgical options, though the anal involvement, does add greatly to tge risk. If this part of his body is compromised, and he is rendered incontinent, quality of life would be minimal.
WH Casper has substantial melanomas along most of his sheath, some as large as gol balls. He can urinate, but cannot extend his sheath the whole way out.
He also has some very solid tumors around the side of his head, which appear to impair movement to the right, though he seems to cope with this.
To say our vet was horrified, is an understatement. She anticipates that such a massive tumor, as in the one at Casper's rear, would have been growing for a number of years.
We will keep you posted. To keep his tumor fly free, is proving to be extremely difficult, yet he is extremely tolerant of offensive smelling, maggot killing liquids being repeatedly applied, as well as multiple applications of fly repellants, to both his body and his rugs.
Some might find the following details too graphic, so please avoid reading, if needed.
We want to keep everyone informed, however, so please use discretion.
His most urgent issue is the huge melanoma, which extends from his rear. It encompasses his anus, & was riddled with maggots upon arrival, is by far the largest our vet has seen.
We are exploring surgical options, though the anal involvement, does add greatly to tge risk. If this part of his body is compromised, and he is rendered incontinent, quality of life would be minimal.
WH Casper has substantial melanomas along most of his sheath, some as large as gol balls. He can urinate, but cannot extend his sheath the whole way out.
He also has some very solid tumors around the side of his head, which appear to impair movement to the right, though he seems to cope with this.
To say our vet was horrified, is an understatement. She anticipates that such a massive tumor, as in the one at Casper's rear, would have been growing for a number of years.
We will keep you posted. To keep his tumor fly free, is proving to be extremely difficult, yet he is extremely tolerant of offensive smelling, maggot killing liquids being repeatedly applied, as well as multiple applications of fly repellants, to both his body and his rugs.
March 9th 2014: Newcomer WH Casper has huge tumours protruding from his bottom he will be vet assessed as soon as possible, and treatment, if possible, will begin ASAP.
The Winged Horse Equine Welfare Inc. - Sowing the seeds of Kindness, one Choice at a Time. Volunteering enquiries to Courtney: +61401 539 686 General enquiries to Carolyn on: +61407533380 or email wingedhorse.management@outlook.com |
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