This week, I’d like to take you to a small farm in Egypt, where a five-month-old foal had stopped doing what he loved most – running around and getting into mischief.
His family affectionately call him “Little Naughty”. But when a rapidly growing swelling appeared beside his eye, this playful youngster became quiet and withdrawn.
Thanks to your support, our community veterinary team could respond when his worried owner called for help – providing the skilled treatment, medicines and follow-up care Little Naughty urgently needed.
Thankfully, his story has a very happy ending which we’re sharing today.
Update from our Egypt community vet team
Little Naughty lives on a small farm with his mother and is a firm favourite with the farmer’s children. Full of energy and curiosity, he was usually happiest running around and getting into mischief.
But a small swelling beside his right eye began to grow quickly. His worried owner took him to several local vets, but was told that removing it would be extremely difficult and could permanently damage the eye.
As the swelling grew, Little Naughty became increasingly uncomfortable. He repeatedly rubbed his eye against hard objects, causing it to bleed. Before long, the playful young foal had become quiet and had stopped running around.
Little Naughty’s tumour was growing on his third eyelid – causing discomfort to the poor little foal.
When our community team examined Little Naughty, they found a large growth attached to the tissues around his eye. It also involved his third eyelid, which helps to protect the eye and keep it moist.
After carefully assessing him, the team believed surgery offered the best chance of saving his eye and helping him enjoy life again.
Little Naughty was heavily sedated and given a local anaesthetic so he remained calm and comfortable throughout the operation. The team successfully removed the growth and sent a sample to a laboratory to find out exactly what it was and whether he might need any further treatment.
Afterwards, he was given antibiotics to protect against infection, along with medication to reduce pain and swelling. The team continued to monitor him closely while his eye healed.
Dr Shaaban was called in to help with this intricate surgery – here he is removing the tumour.
Thankfully, Little Naughty made a wonderful recovery.
Within days, he was no longer in pain and his wound was healing well. It wasn’t long before he was running around the farm again, playing with the farmer’s children.
His owner was thrilled to see the young foal back to his old self and deeply grateful to the team for helping him.
Because of your support, our community teams can provide skilled veterinary treatment like this, including field surgeries, medicines and follow-up care.
Thank you for helping this foal get back to doing what he does best – causing mischief!
The farmer’s son was keen to help his friend – here he is helping to keep the little foal calm during the field operation.
Thank you ♥️♥️
Your support helps us fund our vet teams in Gaza, the West Bank, and Egypt, bringing vital veterinary treatment directly to working donkeys, mules and horses in desperate need. You are also caring for rescue donkeys at our sanctuaries in Israel and the West Bank, where they receive nutritious food, specialist care, and the safety of a forever home.
Thank you for caring for these gentle animals.
Post-surgery the difference is miraculous – Little Naughty’s operation was a complete success! Here you can see the difference it has made to his eye and ability to see properly.