Healing "K. C"
K. C came to us after 2 surgery's for a broken mandible. He was found by his owners in his stall with a broken mandible or jaw bone. He was taken to Surgicare in Brandon Fl. where it was deemed he required surgery to mend the broken jaw bone. After his surgery he was brought back to the stable where he was boarded at the time of injury, Unfortunately after he was brought home he re-injured himself and had to go back to surgicare for a "second" surgery.
After His second surgery and with their veterinarians recommendation his owners decided to bring him to Rancho Del Zorro for "specialized after surgery Care". K. C came with a long list of aftercare instructions from Surgicare, He was to be Stalled with no turn out and no opened windows.. He was to be walked on a lead without a halter due to the fixator pins protruding from his jaw. His diet consisted of a "Slurry" of senior feed mineral oil and wheat bran. He couldn't have any hay or solid grain. His fixator pins had to be cleaned several times daily and nightly and he was to be medicated regularly. K .C also had to be watched closely so he wouldn't re-injure himself again. A third injury could prove fatal for poor K. C. their was only so much more K. C's owners could put him through.
"KC's" Fixator Pins held the broken mandible together during the healing process.
The blue PVC was filled with a solid bonding material to hold the fixator' s stable.
His lower Jaw was stitched from the surgery to put in the fixator pins and was draining regularly.
This area had to be cleaned several times daily and through the night to keep infection away and keep KC comfortable.
This picture was taken when KC arrived at the ranch for care.
K. C. "s desire to keep going was put to the test. Linda his main caretaker and ranch owner found K. C laying in his stall unwilling to get up, eat, or drink she worried he was "Giving Up" as he had been stalled with no turn out or hay for several weeks. even though he was receiving the best care possible K.C' s desire to keep going was fading fast he wanted to be a horse again. He was starting to have colic problems due to the lack of roughage in his diet combined with the stresses of no turn out or mental stimulation.
Linda put in a call to the owners and veterinarian taking care of K. C . It was decided after conferring with the owners and all vets involved that if K. C was going to make it he had to be put back into a "More Normal" horse routine, including turn out ,more roughage such as beet pulp and chopped up alfalfa hay. These were all things that the Veterinarians were worried would re-injure K. C.
Thoroughbreds tend to be more sensitive in these situations and have been known to "Throw in the towel." so the risk of re-injury had to be taken somewhat for KC to continue healing. He was still to be monitored very closely. But his mind had to be taken in consideration in the healing process not just his bones.
His veterinarian was called out to help his colic and stress symptoms with acupuncture. we were all hoping it would help K. C as this horse had grown on everyone's hearts. K.C is a very special horse, for all he has been through he has never once been grumpy or mean spirited to any of his caretakers. he is truly a wonderful horse with a big heart of gold.
K.C trotting in his paddock, His fixator pins are still intact on the left side of his jaw.
Update As of 4-30-06
KC has had his fixator pins removed and has gone home! We will miss him!!!!!
Carlie riding K.C
Notice his pins are gone! she is riding him on a halter. They looked wonderful together! We were so happy to see these two reunited under saddle! I think K.C was happy to feel like a horse again!
We wish K.C and his owners all the best
Rancho Del Zorro does provide specialized after surgery care in special situations. Veterinarian referral is usually required. All horses are monitored around the clock and are under constant video surveillance .
call or email the Ranch for more details or information.
www.ranchodelzorro@netzero.com
1-941-833-0016