Chaimae the abandoned mule

When Chaimae was spotted eating from rubbish dumps half a mile from SPANA’s centre in Marrakech, Morocco, our veterinary staff were concerned that she had been abandoned. The mule was visibly struggling with lameness and the materials she was eating from the dumps meant she was at real risk of life-threatening colic. SPANA made the decision to pick her up and bring her back to the centre for treatment.

Chaimae was given a full assessment, and a nail was found in the bottom of her front left hoof, along with some small wounds on her back and internal parasites. She was given painkillers, dewormed, and her wounds were cleaned and treated with antiseptic ointment. An X-ray was taken of Chaimae’s hoof and, luckily, no major damage was found, so the nail was gently removed. Her foot was cleaned and bandaged with a special dressing to prevent the spread of any infection. Chaimae was also given an anti-tetanus injection.