As we write this week’s e-news, there is finally a glimmer of hope that peace may be in sight for Gaza.
Dr Saif messaged us this morning to say in the last 10 days alone, his team has helped 379 animals. Their dedication never wavers, and it’s thanks to your generosity that they can keep going. Whether you supported our Gaza appeal or give a regular monthly gift – you are a vital part of our team, helping to deliver first aid to Gaza’s donkeys.
This week, I want to share an update from the West Bank. Dr Rakan and Nour were called out to help a donkey whose hooves were in an awful state – the owner had tried to trim them with an axe!
Thankfully, our mobile team was there to help: to repair the damage, relieve the donkey’s pain, and make sure the owner had the right medication to aid recovery.
Thank you, as always, for helping the donkeys, mules and horses who need us most.
Update from Dr Rakan in the West Bank
We were travelling through local villages to reach our destination in Tulkarm, a city in the West Bank, when I got a phone call from a local farmer we’d visited a few months ago. He told me he’d bought a new donkey whose hooves were very long and badly cracked. So, we changed direction and drove further to reach him.
Close-up of the donkey’s cracked hooves before treatment
It was clear when we arrived that the donkey had been neglected for a long time. His hooves were in terrible condition. He had a broken back hoof-pastern axis – a misalignment of the hoof – which had caused swelling and painful pressure points.
Dr Rakan sterilises and bandages the donkey’s hooves to prevent infection
Sadly, his previous owner had tried to trim the hooves himself – using an axe! This only made things worse, creating a severe hoof angle and further injury. Combined with poor living conditions, the hooves had become inflamed and infected.
Nour gently works on the donkey’s hooves, trimming and rasping to restore a healthy shape
Nour, our farrier, carefully trimmed the hooves back to a normal angle and inspected the soles, toes and frog (the spongy tissue in a donkey’s hoof). He also rasped the hoof walls – an essential part of proper hoof care.
I also shaved the hair around the hooves to check for any hidden lesions. I found a wound and cleaned it thoroughly, washing it several times with antiseptic to remove dead tissue. Then I bandaged the hooves with a sterile wrap to keep them clean and protected while they heal.
We gave the donkey antibiotics and pain relief, and provided the new owner with enough medication to continue treatment for the next few weeks. We will of course keep in contact with the owner to make sure the donkey’s condition continues to improve.
Thank you ♥️♥️
Because of you, our mobile vet teams in the West Bank can reach donkeys like this one – bringing treatment, relief and care where it’s needed most. Your generosity also helps our mobile teams in Gaza and Egypt, and ensures the rescued donkeys at our sanctuaries in Israel and the West Bank receive the daily care they deserve.
All our work is only possible because of you. Thank you for giving so many animals the chance of a better, healthier life.
Dr Rakan was only able to care for this donkey thanks to you – thank you so much