NEW ARRIVALS IN NEED – ANASTASIA & KOKOULLA

In July we took in two very elderly characters called Anastasia, a dark grey mare and Kokoulla, who is a chocolate brown mare. Kokoulla's health was deteriorating and although their owner done everything she could and loved them dearly, but was no longer able to provide the care that knew was needed.

When we were contacted we went to have a look with our vet and as well as rasping the donkeys’ teeth, we took a blood sample from Kokoulla. Both donkeys were getting plenty of good food so we needed to find out what the problem was. While Anastasia was perfectly well behaved and very obliging, Kokoulla decided she really did not want to be touched or have a needle near her! We eventually persuaded her that we were there for her best interests and later, the blood tests showed she had quite a few age related health issues and needed some intensive treatment.

Arrangements were made to collect both donkeys and rather surprisingly Kokoulla went straight on the trailer while Anastasia decided the trailer was a big scary monster. Sometime later, and after lots of tears from their owner, both were safely on-board and travelled back to our New Arrivals Unit. We gave them time to settle in before starting the medications needed and both the girls were soon chomping on their soft food.

They are very closely bonded and never far apart. The medications have done the trick although Kokoulla will need long term treatments. Her legs have healed nicely and she has put on a lot of weight. They really are complete opposites in their characters – Anastasia is quiet and easy going whereas Kokoulla is a bossy-boots who likes her own way and doesn’t like to be asked to do anything she doesn’t want to do. Their owner regularly keeps in contact with us and is really happy to see that the girls are now looking so well as you can see.