Warda the infant mule was born with a severe condition that left her struggling to stand. Find out how intensive treatment from SPANA vets in Morocco got her on the move.
Warda was just 24 days old when she was brought along to SPANA’s centre in Chemaia, Morocco, by her concerned owner, Salem. Salem had been delighted when his horse, Zahra, had given birth to Warda – whose name means ‘rose’ in Arabic. When Warda was old enough, she would be able to help Zahra with some agricultural tasks on Salem’s farm.
However, from the moment she was born, little Warda was unable to stand or walk properly. Her legs could not support her and she stumbled around on her fetlocks, causing painful sores to develop. Warda’s situation seemed to worsen every day and soon she needed to be held by Salem to suckle from Zahra. Salem knew that if Warda didn’t receive veterinary treatment soon, she would not survive. So, he carefully loaded her onto a cart to make the 13km journey to Chemaia.
At the centre, SPANA vets were able to see Warda straight away. They diagnosed her as suffering from congenital contracted tendons in her front legs. This condition can develop due to restriction in the womb and causes a horse or donkey’s legs to become excessively straight. Equids with the condition will walk on their toes, or like Warda, ‘knuckle over’ and attempt to walk on their fetlocks.
Warda was admitted to the centre with her mother for two weeks of intensive treatment. The vets first cleaned the wounds that had been caused by Warda attempting to walk on her fetlocks. They then fitted her with padded splints to stretch her tendons and keep her legs straight. These ‘stockings’ were replaced regularly over the two-week period to prevent sores from developing and for regular physiotherapy. Warda was also administered medication to relax her affected tendons, as well as anti-inflammatories and anti-tetanus treatment.
After two weeks at the centre, Warda had fully recovered and could finally stand up, walk and even run on her own!
Salem couldn’t thank SPANA vets enough for all their time and patience. He said: ‘I am grateful to the SPANA team for treating Warda. Without their praiseworthy work, my mule would have been affected for life.’
Warda’s life-changing treatment at SPANA’s Chemaia centre was only possible thanks to your support. Because of your kindness, Warda was fitted with the ‘stockings’ she needed to walk again. Find out how you can help more animals, just like Warda, with SPANA’s Gifts of Health & Happiness. Thank you so much for your support.
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