Help for Faye

Faye is an 8 year old Warmblood cross mare that came into our care in April of 2016. She arrived with a large neck wound that was self inflicted by scratching repetitively with her hind hoof. The cause of her self mutilation behavior has not been found, despite various tests and vet consultations and many different theories being explored. At this point, without an MRI and X-Ray being done, we will never conclusively know what her underlying issue is.

The reality of the situation is that although we want nothing more than to send her for the MRI and X-Ray, it is simply not in our budget. So here I am, ask you, her fans and followers, for help.

Faye is currently on a treatment of Dexamethosone in an attempt to curb her self mutilation behavior in order to allow her neck wound to heal enough to at least remove the itching trigger of the healing wound. Although the Dex is helping somewhat, it is not a complete solution and definitely not a cure. She cannot stay on it indefinitely, especially not at the dose she is receiving. Her Dex treatment finishes at the end of June, at which point, we will be forced to make a decision regarding her future. Considering the poor quality of life with her current "tic" of self harming, we really don't have much of a choice. Our only humane option would be euthanasia.

Unless we can raise the funds needed to send her to the PEI Veterinary College for the MRI and X-Ray.

That being said, even with the MRI and X-Ray, odds are that she may never recover. She may have a tumor which would explain the escalation of her behavior over the past 3 years. She may also have an old skull fracture putting pressure on her brain that was possibly caused by a fall 3 years ago. That same fall could also have caused a spinal injury that is causing her increasing discomfort and pain in her neck. She may have an embedded object in her neck, causing increased discomfort, or she may possibly have a middle ear issue, resulting in her trying to "self help" with the scratching. She may also have something wrong with her central nervous system, possibly causing headaches which could explain her behavior. The MRI and X-Ray would hopefully help us eliminate or confirm these theories.

Sending Faye to PEI for these additional tests is no guarantee that she can be treated. She may never return home. But it would allow us to learn fully what is troubling this beautiful young mare before any life decisions are made, and most of all, although the odds are slim, it may help us identify a treatable cause.

Faye is a young, intelligent, kind and beautiful mare. On her good days she is bright, alert, energetic and full of life. She deserves a chance. We've done all we can for her and now our resources are tapped. With your help, we could do a little bit more.

NOTE: Please know that I am personally asking for your help. The MARE Network, which I represent, is a non-profit society that helps horse owners and horses in need when we can. We are NOT a registered Charity. All funds donated towards Faye would be considered a personal gift towards her cause.

IMPORTANT:

* IF WE ARE UNABLE TO RAISE THE FULL AMOUNT NEEDED TO SEND HER TO PEI by the end of this Campaign, we will NOT be able to send her and all donated funds will be re-funded back to the donors.

* In the unlikely event that more funds are raised than needed, the excess funds will be applied towards helping other horses in need, either horses in our own care or horses needing assistance within the Canadian Maritime Community (the decision on how excess funds will be distributed will be made by MARE board members, based on individual case urgency).

Thank you all for considering helping Faye. With so many different funding campaigns active for so many worthy causes, I realize that Faye may not have the highest priority, especially where there is no guarantee for her future. But Faye is a beautiful life. One that deserves a fighting chance.

~ Maud, founder of The M.A.R.E. Network Society (Maritime Adoption & Rehoming of Equines)