APOLLO-Great NEWS - Read the posts!

[MustangAppy]

Photo at link: boise.craigslist.org/grd/764622569.html
Does anyone have any more information on this tumor and a prognosis? Can we help him?

Beautiful Gelding in Need (Caldwell)
Reply to: [e-mail]
Date: 2008-07-21, 8:10PM MDT




Apollo is a beautiful 9yr old Black and White Paint Gelding, he is in need of a Veterinarian Home...he has been diagnosed by the Idaho Equine Hospital, with Squamous, that has formed a tumor in his left eye.

At this time, we can not afford the recommended treatment, and thought we would put a word out to the equine community, before we make a final decision.

Apollo is owned by a 15yr old girl, who would like to see him be saved by the recommend surgery. He is an awesome trail horse; he has been started on payday events, and is very loving and willing.
Unfortunately, the tumor in his eye must be treated for him to live a normal life.

Please reply to this email, or give us a call, if you are interested in helping Apollo.

All offers considered Thank You for your interest. 208-453-1288 Debbie

[toeps]

Oh, he's handsome!

[cutiepiepmu]

Hmmm - wonder if we could do a little money pool sent to the hospital to cover the surgery so they could keep their horse??? Thoughts???

Sara

[cutiepiepmu]

I have emailed the owner and asked if they would want to keep the gelding if funds were available for the surgery. If they DO want to keep the gelding - can we fund raise to help cover surgery???

Sara

[Admin]

Great idea Sara! Perhaps a few folks over on the AB board could help out too.

Please let us know what you find out ;D

[cutiepiepmu]

I am waiting for an email back and will post here once I know. With so many horses needing homes, if we can help those horses that already HAVE great homes stay there - I think it benefits all.

Sara

[cutiepiepmu]

Here is the email I just got back from the owners. They are so excited about the prospects of being able to save their friend. The truely love this horse - so lets try to help! I have asked her to contact the veterinarians office and let them know that funds will be coming in specifically for Apollo and to set up something along the line of Apollo's Eye Fund As soon as it is set up I will get the ball rolling with a donation! Anyone care to join me? I know that there are TONS of horses in need - but when we can help someone who loves and cares for thier horse and wants to do the right thing - I think that is money well spent

Here is the email:

Hello Sara and Equine Rescue network!

Thank you for your Email, your thoughtfulness and support. I ran directly to my daughters room to share this outstanding news.
Our hearts were broken by the thought of not seeing Apollo in our corral!
Yes! we want to keep our boy! support him as he adjusts to his disability (one eye) and allow him to do all the things he loves to do, with the girl he loves to do them with. My daughter Taylor, and Apollo are inseparable, he will whinny to her in the early mornings, as his corral is close to the back of the house, saying "get up and get out here!" they have a relationship just like best friends.

We purchased Apollo less than a yr ago, from a near by valley, and the gal said he spent the first 6 yrs of his life on top of a hill, turned out on 100's of acres. The Vet suspects, as a Bald-Face blue-eye guy, he suffered excessive sun exposure that lead to his cancer today. I believe we purchased him with this condition, as we could not clear up the discharge from his eyes, and after our local vet recommended a visit to the Equine Hospital, we were given the worst new of all, he has cancer.
I tried to call the number you provided below, however it is out of range. That is okay, as you only would have heard TEARS of JOY!

We had a gentlemen call about 10 minutes after we posted our add, and he mentioned possible donations from supporters, this had never crossed my mind. He even made me write down his name and number so I could contact him if this happened as he would like to donate too. Believe me this is an answer to our prayers. We have prayed for help with our decision, and now we see the Equine family really come to the rescue.

We are located in Caldwell Idaho, Apollo has been see by Dr. Peter Knox at the Idaho Equine Hospital at 16080 Equine Dr. Nampa Idaho 83687 their phone number is 208-466-4613

I left Dr. Knox a message with this unbelievable news. And am ready to take the next step towards scheduling Apollo for surgery.
The quoted amount is $1500, I am not sure is that is the final cost. Please let me know what I can do to help get the ball rolling.
I am so excited I can barely type.

Thank You and Thank You, to everyone who has offered to help
Debbie, Taylor & Apollo

[pnp4kidz]

That is what I was quoted as the cost from our local equine opthalmologist too... but I found out that this is a very simple surgery, and is done soooo much more often for cattle... and found an old timer vet who does large animal who came here and did the ennucleation for a couple of hundred dollars...
it is not complicated... you take out the eye ball, remove the eyelid margins and sew it all back together, and it heals as a sunken socket...
not sure if they do more due to the cancer, but Tireddog knows all about this stuff.. .

definately worth getting donations...
anyone over on the ABR yet?

[cutiepiepmu]

If anyone over in that area knows a vet who might be able to do the surgery a tad cheaper but still have wonderful results you might want to give the owners a jingle. Obviously the cheaper we can do this - the sooner we can raise money to help them move forward.

I have posted to Safe as well. These people are SOOOOOO greatful for our help.

Sara

[Admin]

;D Thank you so much Sara for getting the ball rollin'

As soon as something definate is set up I will do a mass e-mail!

[cutiepiepmu]

Thanks! I will post as soon as I get a response from the owners - I have also invited them to join the board.

Sara

[dah]

ello Rescuers...
My name is Debbie Herren and my daughter Taylor is the owner of Apollo.

We purchased Apollo last Christmas, and I believe this was a pre-existing condition, not brought to our attention at the point of sale. We could not improve or control the discharge from his eyes, and consulted our local Vegetarian who then recommended us to the Idaho Equine Hospital. We received the news of Apollo's Squamous, and their recommendation of treatment. In order to get all the infected cells, due to the location of the cancer...complete removal of the eye was recommended. We were devastated.

The gal we purchased Apollo from (formally named Stormy) said he had spent the first 6 yrs of his life, hill-top on over 100 acres. Dr. Knox is the specialist at the ID. Equine Hospital, he says Apollo being a Blue-eyed boy, had suffered excessive sun exposure through these years that has resulted in the Cancer he has today. So we had many tears as we tried to prepare to make a decision for Apollo's future. That is when we decided to share his story.

We have been contacted by Sara, representing the Equine community, an Awesome Community who would like to fund-raise funds for Apollo's surgery. This is unbelievable, our tears have turned from sadness to Joy! Thank you to all of you!

The Idaho Equine hospital has quoted the total cost of the surgery at $1500.00. Dixie is the bookkeeper and she has set up an account for Apollo, where donations can be made, through Check or Credit Card.

I am still in such surprise by this offer from the Equine Rescue community - this is unbelievable. Through the generosity of our extended equine family and friends, Apollo will get his surgery, he will live a normal life with us, and possibly compete again. Taylor is over flowing with tears of JOY, and says Thank You for answering her prayers.

If you are interested in donating, here is the information:
The Idaho Equine Hospital, is located in Nampa Idaho- 208-466-4613, all checks need to include "Apollo" or my client ID #25883 in the 'For' field at the bottom. Donations through a CC, when calling the Id. Equine Hospital, please ask for Dixie and reference 'Apollo' or my client ID #25883.

Taylor and I can be reached at 208-453-1288 and would love to say 'TY to all!!

I will keep this forum updated with Apollo's progress.
Take care and we can't Thank You enough!

Sincerely,
Debbie

[cutiepiepmu]

Ok all - here is the info for Apollo at the vet hospital. Lets get the ball rolling for this guy and his family. I will be donating shortly!

Hi Sara,
I checked with Dr. Knox and he says the total cost would be $1500.00. I was then contacted by Dixie the bookkeeper at the Id. Equine Hospital, she thinks the community giving is Awesome!!
Here is the Apollo account information:

The Idaho Equine Hospital, is located in Nampa Idaho- 208-466-4613, all checks need to include "Apollo" or my client ID #25883 in the 'For' field at the bottom. Donations through a CC, when calling the Id. Equine Hospital, please ask for Dixie and reference 'Apollo' or my client ID #25883.


Thank you so much for this gift, we are so blessed to keep Apollo as part of our family!

Warmest Regards
Debbie

[cutiepiepmu]

Glad to see you on the list Debbie!

Sara

[dah]

Thank you Sara, for sharing this link, this is one of the neatest webpages.
You really do a lot for a lot of horses!
Taylor and I are going to get some close up pictures of Apollo ... and keep the site updated through his procedure. Is this the best place to do that? so all can see.

Thanks so much for everything.
Debbie

[Admin]

WELCOME! Please post away ;D

[cybercat]

Welcome Debbie! Is it possible for you to keep a tally going on the board from time to time so we know how much money will still be needed for Apollo's surgery?

Thank you,
Leanne

[Admin]

Has anyone posted over on the AB Board??

[eirualaerdna]

I think a running tally in the top post of this thread would be helpful (similar to how it is done for feedlot rescue horses) so we don't have to scroll to the last post to see how much more they need (also maybe edit the thread header with the most current tally?) just a thought.

[dah]

Hello Equine Family,
I checked with the Idaho Equine Hospital today, and Apollos fund is a reality! we have our first gift!

Thank You so much, from all of us ... and Apollo too!

[cutiepiepmu]

Hey all - this thread needsa bump. They REALLY need our help to save their kid and time is starting to get tight. The sooner he has the treatment the better - If you can give anything at all - please help. Even $5 helps get this poor guy the surgery he desperately needs!

Sara

[cutiepiepmu]

This kid still desperately needs our help. I called the clinic today and VERY little has been donated. This puts his owners in the position of making the decision to euthenize or come up with remainder of the funds. Please Please Please..... even $1 helps for them to keep a dearly loved horse.

Sara

[cutiepiepmu]

There has only been $25 put towards this guys surgery. i just spoke with his owners and they are extremely torn. Apollo is struggling - the tumor is now protruding out of the eye lid and he is very uncomfortable. They are going to be in a situation where they have to make the decision VERY soon so that he does not suffer. PLEASE - if you can help this guy - he has a long, happy life ahead - he deserves our help!!!!!!!

Sara

[halfwayhome]

Ok, I just saw this, I can can call and donate a bit tomorrow, Unfortunately not alot but maybe it can help some.

[cutiepiepmu]

Thank you SOOOOOO much. I sent a check over and expect that it should be there shortly. Any amount helps for this kid. Especially with the market the way it is - I just feel like if we have a good loving home for a horse, who wants to do right - we should try to help

Sara

[cutiepiepmu]

Also - feel free to cross post this. We are down to the wire with this guy - he is suffering and needs treatment PRONTO.

Sara

[halfwayhome]

OK, wish it was more, but I donated $20 today. Just had to pay for 20 tons of hay, so not much extra here!

[paintedlady]

Sara !! If you PM me with your address, I will send you a check and could you forward it on or could I mail a check to the vets. I can send $ 50.00. wish it was more Never mind. I called the vets office and used a credit card. I should of read more before I asked for address. Dixie did say that they are close ( funds) ;D

[gsdmom]

I just called the vet's office and donated $25.00. I hope we are able to help this young horse and rider.

Kathy

[cutiepiepmu]

FABULOUS! I will call and check on a funds update and post very soon. I appricate ALL of you. This is a very nice family and this horse is special to them. They want the best for him and for his life to have quality! I am also going to be ordering a guardian mask for them with the special UV block lenses. Had to wait till after we pay for hay - but figure it will help for post op as well as day to day.

Sara