Horse Saved by Emergency Surgery at Evacuated Animal Hospital

 

Rancho Santa Fe, CA – A horse that was dangerously close to death from Colic was saved Tuesday night after veterinarians and Helen Woodward Animal Center ’s surgical team performed emergency surgery at the evacuated Equine Hospital . Working with members of the National Guard, local fire officials, and HWAC management, the veterinarians received an escort through barricades and were given 3 hours to perform the surgery and leave the area with their patient.

 

The horse named “Ray” is scheduled to return to Helen Woodward Animal Center ’s Equine Hospital on Friday morning and will be introduced to the media at a news conference beginning at noon .

 

HWAC spokesman John Van Zante says, “It was touch and go. This horse was literally within an hour of death if the surgery had not been performed.”

 

Van Zante says that, when Ray, his owners, and one of the Vets arrived at the National Guard barricade on San Dieguito Road in Rancho Santa Fe on Tuesday evening they were stopped by Guardsmen and told they could not enter the area because of the Mandatory Evacuation. “At that point they could see the Center across a pasture and the horse had fallen and was thrashing on the floor of the trailer. Time was of the essence. The doctors knew that the horse would either need surgery or they would have to euthanize it.”

 

Eventually the Vets along with HWAC President Mike Arms were able to contact fire officials who gave permission for the doctors, surgical team, horse, and owners to enter the area for a maximum of 3 hours to perform the surgery.

 

Just as the highly-invasive surgery was completed and the horse was back on its feet, National Guardsmen arrived at the door to tell the surgical team that time was up and they must leave. Fortunately, they were able to leave with their patient.

 

Meet “Ray”, the doctors and the surgical team at Noon on Friday at Helen Woodward Animal Center, 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe. For more information or to find out how you can help the Center following the 4-day evacuation call 858-756-4117.