Sonora eventually formed a large abscess under her neck that ruptured and drained. During this period of her quarantine we were extremely concerned for her. There were days and nights that we weren't sure if she would make it given her age. We did our best to make her comfortable while she was fighting the disease. She was fed a high calorie mash and had access to unlimited hay to help at least maintain her weight. She still lost a significant amount of weight while battling strangles. It was devastating to witness.

 

 After Nora started recovering from strangles we noticed that she still spent a lot of time laying down. I began to suspect something else was going on. Her front hooves were flaring out - a sign that she was dragging her back end. As she started to regain her energy we also noticed that at a trot her right hind was off. At this point, we had started considered keeping Nora at Serendipity. We had grown so fond of her while trying to nurse her back to health that we were having a hard time imagining saying good-bye to her. We contacted the rescue group from Missouri that initially pulled her from the kill pen to work together in finding the best outcome for Nora. We decided to have an exam done on her to see what we were up against if we took her on. 

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Dr. Quay from Iron Horse Equine came out to complete her exam. First we had to test her to ensure she was no longer positive for strep equi (strangles), EHV, and rhinitis. Dr. Quay also determined that she likely has osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). OCD is relatively common but it is a defect of cartilage formation that becomes a bone chip and sometimes a bone cyst. Dr. Quay recommended getting her weight back up and then going on an "OCD hunt" starting with her hind stifles. We believe that this will be the likely cause to the unsoundness in her hind legs, swelling, and accompanying discomfort she is experiencing.

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After this exam we determined that it would be in Sonora's best interests to stay at Serendipity rather than making a long haul to Missouri. Currently, we are working to build her weight back and she is on pain management medication to keep her comfortable. Then we plan to complete her x-rays and confirm OCDs. After that, she may need surgery to have the bone chips removed and alleviate the joint swelling. Time will only tell. But Sonora is incredibly sweet and so loved. 

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As for her name, she was named after Sonora Webster in the 1991 Disney movie Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken. We are currently raising funds for Sonora through our "Long Live Wild Hearts" Collection and the Family Day Event coming up on Sunday September 18th, 2022 from 11 am to 3 pm. 

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If you can't make the event but want to donate to Sonora's on going care we accept donations on PayPal and Venmo. Please indicate "Sonora" and use  the "Friends and Family" option to help us avoid additional fees. 

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Venmo- @serendipitysanctuary

PayPal - serendipitysanctuaryllc@gmail.com

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1/15/2023 SONORA UPDATE:

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Nora saw Dr. Quay for her fall wellness exam and vaccinations and to finally have her x-rays done in December of 2022. We are SO pleased to announce that she passed her x-ray exam and confirmed she does not have OCD/s. Dr. Quay was pleased with her growth and weight gain and also noticed her movements were more sound. We will be working with our farrier to help correct her cow hocked hind legs but Dr. Quay felt confident that with some time,. more growth, and continued farrier work she would be straightened out a more. We plan to put Nora into a training program sometime during 2023 as she will be 2 years old. In the meantime we are just so thankful she was cleared for training and does not need surgery. We are also more confident in working on her ground work now knowing she's not in pain. Thank you all for your continued interest in sweet Nora!