October Health Updates

Life at the sanctuary is never still. With so many balls in the air right now in regards to health, we thought it would be easier to include one big update on everyone. We've had moments that made our hearts sink, and others that reminded us just how resilient our animal family truly is.

Indy: Our determined little hen gave us quite a scare recently after losing some weight. She was referred to Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services for a possible CT scan to rule out anything serious.  But after careful evaluation, the vet determined that an x-ray was sufficient, and thankfully, they saw no signs of cancer. We’re continuing to monitor her closely, but for now, it seems her weight change was likely hormone-related. She’s back to daydreaming and pecking around the yard, oblivious to everything unless a young turkey needs a stern talking to. 

Louisa: Our beloved turkey Louisa laid her very first egg, a beautiful milestone that should have been pure joy. But unfortunately this happened on the way home from the vet (literally in the car) where we discovered she has a heart arrhythmia. It’s an alarming diagnosis, with a potentially large impact on her future lifespan, so we’re deeply worried. Still, there’s hope that the initial egg-laying process itself may have triggered or worsened the irregular rhythm. She’ll be getting an echocardiogram soon to help us understand exactly what’s happening inside that extraordinary heart of hers. Until then, we’re keeping her calm, loved, and as stress-free as possible.

Quincy: Our dignified turkey patriarch Quincy continues to battle the aftermath of his septic arthritis. After losing one toe earlier this year, we’ve been working hard to save the other. He’s currently undergoing infusions directly into the affected toe, a delicate and ongoing process to fight infection and preserve mobility. Lately, he’s seemed sore again, so we’ve restarted his pain medication and scheduled a follow-up for next Friday. The medication has definitely helped and he is back to perching on the top perch again. 

Bonnie: Our sweet matriarch sheep, Bonnie, is facing advancing arthritis. It’s heartbreaking to watch her slow down so much and not be able to keep up with the others.  But she’s still as gentle and loving as ever (while still maintaining order amongst her flock). We have our vet coming next week to take new x-rays and give her a steroid injection, and we’re exploring additional treatments to ease her pain. We’re determined to help her stay comfortable and mobile.

Fiona: Our wonderful dog Fiona is also struggling with progressing arthritis. Walks have become harder, but her heart hasn’t changed a bit - she still wants to run and play as usual. It's heartbreaking to watch her body be unable to keep up with her mind.  We’ve begun trying new medications to improve her mobility and quality of life, and we’re hopeful we’ll find a good combination to bring her relief.

Sherman: On the brighter side of things, our young turkey Sherman had his stitches removed and has healed perfectly after his recent procedure! He’s feeling great… maybe too great. Sherman has been picking fights with the pigs again and now requires supervision during outdoor time (or some quality solo time in the run). We love his confidence, but let’s just say we’re gently redirecting his enthusiasm toward more peaceful hobbies.

Betty: Our little turkey Betty has been dealing with a stubborn eye issue. Her culture came back positive for bacteria, so we’ve started a new round of antibiotic drops three times a day. We wish we could say she’s being incredibly patient about it, but we understand why she's not too enthusiastic about the eye drops.  However,  we’re hopeful this will finally clear it up for good.

Odin: And finally, some very good news - our sweet dog Odin’s kidney disease remains stable! His carefully balanced homemade vegan diet continues to support his health beautifully, and he’s full of love, energy, and cuddles. You can read more about the diet that’s keeping him thriving here.
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Every one of these updates carries a piece of our hearts... the fear, the relief, and the never ending hope that defines life here. Thank you for caring about each of them as deeply as we do. Your kindness, donations, and encouragement help us keep fighting for every chance at health, comfort, and happiness. ❤️