Source:  News Release/Emma Gill

Urgent blood transfusion improves chances for orphaned foal

A four-day-old, orphaned donkey foal in urgent need of a blood transfusion has this week been taken in by The Donkey Sanctuary in order to ensure her survival.

Coco was born on Sunday 9^th September, and was orphaned at just two-days old when her mother, who had been unwell during the pregnancy, sadly passed away.  As well as the loss of her mother, Coco was also suffering from the lack of antibodies she would have been getting from her mother’s milk, leaving her in urgent need of a blood transfusion to strengthen her immune system.

Knowing that Coco would now need specialist care, her Shropshire owners called The Donkey Sanctuary for help, and she was moved to the Three Counties Equine Hospital in Gloucestershire, where staff working in conjunction with The Donkey Sanctuary’s veterinary team carried out an urgent plasma transfusion to increase the antibodies in Coco’s blood, and help her immune system to strengthen.  Tests will be carried out over the next few days to determine whether Coco will need further transfusions.

Emma Gill, PR Officer for The Donkey Sanctuary, visited Coco at the hospital the day after she came into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary:

“It must have been a very difficult decision for the owners, having just lost Coco’s mother, to also part with this adorable young foal to secure her future, but we are glad that we’re able to give her all the specialist care she needs.  Our vets advise me that Coco is doing very well considering the amount she has already had to deal with in her short life, and they are hopeful that tests will show that her blood transfusion has been a success.  In the meantime, Coco is having three-hourly feeds to help her build her strength up, drinking from a bucket as she was struggling to drink from a bottle.  She has even surprised vets by having the energy to trot around exploring the hospital’s paddock less than 24 hours after her transfusion.”

For free, expert advice for anyone experiencing difficulties in caring for their donkeys, please visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk.

All of the donkeys taken in, including Coco, now have a sanctuary for life with The Donkey Sanctuary. The charity is funded entirely by donations and takes in an average of eight donkeys each week throughout the UK and Ireland. Call 01392 578222 or visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk for more information.

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