Joey

We are an Animal Hospital.  We treat animals.  But the harsh reality is that the people out here often need as much help as the animals they care for. 

Two patients of late have been a pair of working donkeys with large open sores on their backs.  Their job is to pull a cart that collects rubbish from the streets of Luxor.  The cart is driven by three young children - both donkeys and children work 18 hour days 7 days a week.  On a home visit we were horrified to find the families live in rubbish.  We rapidly realised the only way we would be able to help the donkeys would be to also help their owners. 

The sad truth of these wounds however, is that the donkeys wounds were caused by repeatedly beating - We have now taught the children that the beating is unkind and unnecessary, and they no longer carry a stick. 

We have also taught the children how to wash and dress the wounds and they are keen to help, not only their own donkeys but any other outpatients that are in at the same time as them!  The wounds are improving.

This reinforces the impact that the work of ACE has on the local communities and the families struggling to make a living.

However, a few months after this, one of the donkeys, despite coming in to have his wound flushed and dressed at the hospital, this donkey was just not improving.  His wound was healing very slowly, he was getting weaker and more emaciated due to lack of food and too much work and inadequate rest.  He is pictured below in our outpatients clinic having a much needed rest whilst his friend is getting his wound attended to.  (His wound is improving).

Each time this donkey came in, he just looked sadder and sadder so we made the tough decision to rescue him from his owners care.  One of our volunteers bought him, on the proviso that with the money they buy a new donkey, which they will bring into us from the start so that we can monitor his condition, and hopefully intervene with any problems that occur before they are too late.  Joey, as he was named, was admitted to the hospital.  He was covered with lice (which is why he has such a poor coat), and was extremely weak.  His wound was very painful and discharging a lot of pus, as a result of an abscess that had formed.

Here are pictures of Joey when he first was admitted to the ACE Hospital.  Covered in lice and not appreciating the shower which Julie Clarke is giving to wash off his delousing shampoo!

Within a few weeks of food and rest Joey was looking very bright and happy and ready for a new life.  Sadly he is a very small donkey, as his growth was stunted by poor nutrition, so we had to find him a home where he would not be worked.  Luckily we knew of somebody that has a farm and who were willing to look after him and only work him on the rare occasion, which we were happy with.  (Donkeys are intelligent, and enjoy to do things to stimulate their brain). 

He is now settled at his new home and is having a great time, with two girlfriends and is much loved and cared for.  We have been to visit him a few times and are very happy with his progress.