An Update on angel, newest rescued donkeys

Angel, who CAPE rescued several months ago, has been making giant steps forward (literally!). When we met Angel, she had suffered with chronic hoof pain for years. Our vet asked if we could help Angel - and we are so glad we did!

We started with a full blood panel which indicated that Angel had untreated Cushing’s Disease. Her coat was matted and overgrown. She could barely put weight on one of her front hooves. We started her on medications to treat the Cushing’s, inflammation, and pain. We soaked her hooves twice a day to help release fluid from a reoccurring abscess. Our vet worked to get her hooves in good condition and then we ran x-rays.

Angel’s two front hooves were problematic, but we were mostly concerned for the hoof she wasn’t putting weight on. The x-rays didn’t give us any clear answers. With surgery, our vet was able to remove a benign tumor, which seemed to provide instant relief. Angel’s hoof has been wrapped up for 6 weeks, and with each weekly wrap change, we are impressed with the healing.

We believe that introducing Angel to the rescued herd at the CAPE Animal Sanctuary has helped her improve in so many ways. She has bonded with Papa Antonio, a wild burro rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management and held in a Nevada Prison. Papa and Angel are often seen grazing the pastures side by side.

It has been an honor to help with Angel’s recovery. She is sweet and gentle, and her eyes tell quite the story. Angel has been patient and trusting of our help, often resting her soft head in our arms as we give her meds or check her hooves. She still has a road of recovery ahead of her, but today she barely limps when she walks and now puts full weight on her injured foot. She’s gotten to a good weight and her coat looks fantastic. She is a very different donkey than the one we met months ago.

Thank you to everyone who has helped support Angel’s medical costs. Our vet still comes weekly to care for her hoof and Angel’s medications are expensive. We are very grateful for the support from our CAPE community and we look forward to witnessing Angel's steady improvement. If you would like to sponsor Angel, please go to www.capeanimals.org/donkeys