Sitka's Leg

We brought Sitka into the Desert Pines vet clinic Saturday morning to meet with Dr. Schur. Ronnie Graves, the Florida man who creates Prosthetics for animals as well as for people, came into town and together he and Dr. Schur x-rayed, discussed, and casted Sitka's deformed leg and foot. Although skeptical at first, after talking to Ronnie, Dr. Schur thinks that this just might be what Sitka needs and that it will work for her. As the day progressed, we all got very excited about the possibilities. By the time we left, Dr. Schur was already thinking about using Ronnie's services for other horses that may come into the clinic in the future. Already, Sitka is inspiring people and her story will help other injured horses in the future. Take a look at some of the horses that Ronnie has helped in the past. In particular, the horse AARON, is the most similar to Sitka and her leg will look alot like his does.

We did end up leaving Sitka, and Sunday, in the clinic until Tuesday morning. We wanted the clinic's resident Farrier and the vets to lay Sitka down and have her hooves trimmed. We just can't get her done anymore at the ranch as she can't hold the weight on her crippled leg. Her prosthetic should be done in about 5-6 weeks, at which time she will go back into the clinic to have her leg fitted by the vets and by Ronnie, who will travel out to NV again.

We still need help with her Leg Fund, please consider donating for her new prosthetic. THANK YOU!

Here are some photos from the day:


Sally, Deonna, and Sharil get Sitka and Sunday ready to go...

Jill and Ronnie discuss her leg as Sunday tries to get one last nursing in before we go...

How can we not do what we can to help Sitka, and by doing so, help little Sunday? Look how they snuggle together...

Let's go Sunday, up into the trailer!

In the clinic, ready to start. Look at that foot, poor thing!

Taking x-rays. This set of X-rays showed us all just how much her bone has deteriorated since her last x-rays in August. If we don't do something, she will only have about 2 months left before she will need to be put to sleep.

Sharil comforts Sitka...

While Sally comforts Sunday...

Ronnie and Dr. Schur cast the leg...

After it set, they cut the cast off which will serve as a mold for her prosthetic.

Her leg... Her cast.

Ronnie inspects it...

Sunday roamed a bit while Sitka was worked on. We told him to stay away from the expensive equipment, but, of course, he ignored us and had to be put back on the lead...

PLEASE CHECK OUT SHILOH'S UPDATED ONLINE SHOP!

We have added two new Tony Curtis prints (pictured below), the Shiloh Documentary, and our new 2009 calendars. Why not do some Holiday Shopping to help feed the rescue horses?