Skull injury leaves Arabian horse struggling to survive brain damage:UPDATE

A one year-old Arabian horse was transported to the University of Florida animal hospital in Gainesville, Florida, tonight after being brain damaged in an accident and suffering a seizure.

However, this was not the first time Kisses From A King demonstrated her will to survive. She has been fighting for her life since June, when a tragedy left her brain damaged and blind.

On June 8, 2012, ‘Kisses’ slipped on muddy ground and hit her head in the barn as she fell. But instead of getting up, ‘Kisses’ laid on the ground with blood pouring from her head and nose.

Over the next two days, ‘Kisses’ managed to find the will to stand. But she was running a high fever and was not able to hold her head up straight or control her rolling eyes. She also began suffering seizures.

'Kisses' was transported to Ocala Equine Facility, in Florida on June 18, 2012, and tests revealed that she had lesions in her middle brain, and the nerves that controlled her eyes and head position were badly damaged. Her owner, Ms. Kathy, unable to rehabilitate ‘Kisses’ was prepared to put her down.

In a last effort to avoid euthanasia for Kisses From A King, her owner contacted Carrie Young, of Ohana Horse Rescue in Brooksville, Florida.

Young said, “I got a call from a woman in tears, telling me that no other rescue will take her. That the barn owner stated she doesn’t want to put her down, but if no rescue will take her that is what will happen.”

Young agreed to give ‘Kisses’ a second chance, but did not realize just how bad-off the yearling really was until she arrived at her Ohana Rescue.

“We were no way prepared for what we saw when the trailer opened,” Young said. “It took almost an hour to get her out of trailer. When she finally did, she was stumbling on her weak legs..her head to the left, her right eye looking up trying to find where sounds were coming from,” according to Ohana’s Facebook page.

Not unlike her human counterparts who survive a tragedy, Kisses From A King had a brilliant future until an accident that took place in a split second changed her life forever. But even though she falls, she keeps getting up.

“She’s is a fighter,” Young added. “If she can fight this hard to stay alive, why shouldn’t others help her with that fight?”

No one knows for sure right now if 'Kisses' will survive with her injuries. However, Young believes she deserves the chance and is willing to give her the best care she can and hope for the best.

So far, medications and veterinary care have cost Ohana Rescue more than $3,000, and are expected to rise with her on-going care and today’s trip to the University of Florida animal hospital.

If you would like to help Ohana Rescue with ‘Kisses’ medical expenses and care, click here to make a donation.

Ohana Rescue is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, so your donation may be tax deductible.

Click here to see Photos of ‘Kisses’ with Dr. Steve Miller, DVM, and at the University of Florida animal hospital.

Click here to watch the Video of ‘Kisses’ intake at the University of Florida today.

UPDATE:

Kisses From A King died today at the University of Florida veterinary clinic. Tests revealed that part of her brain was crushed and she had no hope for recovery.

'Kisses' was put down this morning.