Lifesaving treatment for a newborn foal
Two-day-old Sara the mule was rushed to Together for Animals member SPANA’s centre in Chemaia, Morocco, when she became too weak to stand.
Despite a straight-forward birth, without any complications, Sara’s health quickly deteriorated and she was suffering from intense pain. Her owner, Hassan, was extremely worried about the foal, and borrowed a van to drive to the SPANA centre in Chemaia, so that Sara could be seen by veterinary professionals.
When they arrived at the centre, the SPANA vet team immediately gave Sara a thorough examination. She was diagnosed with colic caused by meconium retention – an obstruction that happens when a newborn doesn’t pass their first dung.
Sara was given laxatives and anti-inflammatories, and was bottle-fed a concoction of semi-skilled milk and honey until her mother was able to join her at the centre. Sara stayed at the centre for a week while she received essential care and was able to return home once fully recovered.
Hassan was incredibly grateful for the veterinary team and their help. He said: ‘Without SPANA, Sara would have died. Thank you.’
Colic can be a life-threatening condition for working animals. SPANA vets treat thousands of working animals suffering from colic every year. Although some cases, like Sara’s, are due to natural causes, many others occur because a working animal has eaten inappropriate food – or even waste, such as plastic.