Prospect Farms

Maverick

The Story of Maverick

Here is Maverick in his makeshift sling after he had begun to recover.

May 15, 2008 Temp 102 Acts like he's "tying up" His back along his spine is swollen and hard to the touch Vet doesn't have good news - neuromuscular disese of unknown origin put him on antibiotics and Banamine every 24 hours Bloodwork: Not West Nile; elevated WBC He got progressively worse. Within about 2 weeks from the initial onset he would fall over and not be able to get up because of the increasing paralysis in his legs. The paralysis started in his back and progressed to his hindquarters, then to his front legs, and shoulders and neck. When he would fall over we would pull him up with rope and a sling around his middle and two or three people lifting his hindquarters. He ate and drank but it was much less than normal. When he could no longer move at all we kept him supported in the sling with his feet touching the ground. We massaged his hard muscles and groomed him daily. After 3 weeks he began to move a little and the mucles became less rigid. It's been 2 1/2 months since it began and he now can walk and trot with someone by his side leading him- (He'd like to do more but not until he gets his feet trimmed.) Muscles appear normal. July 29,2008 Today he was able to lie down and get up on his own!!! Big milestone

Here is Maverick today, able to walk and trot on a leadline.