Seven Hills Pet Clinic came together for one of their own

When Hospital Manager Kerri Adkins' newborn foal took a turn for the worse, there was no time to waste, and nowhere else to turn.

Flame had been born to a first-time mother after a difficult delivery. A urinary catheter had been placed shortly after birth as a precaution, but by day four, everything changed. The foal went down, breathing heavily with a distended abdomen.

It was 9 p.m. Kerri quickly loaded Flame into the back of her SUV, then called Dr. Orin Ashley and texted their work group chat. Within minutes, Dr. Ashley and five techs and assistants were on their way to the clinic, ready to help.

“Seeing my team there with open arms, willing to give anything that was needed, brought me to tears,” said Kerri.

Veterinary Assistant Olivia Hatter, who grew up on her family's horse farm, said Flame was calm and unbothered as strangers walked him through the unfamiliar hospital. "He was so brave and truly could not have been any better behaved," she said.

An ultrasound at Seven Hills Pet Clinic in Ohio confirmed a complete tear in his bladder, an injury that most commonly happens in colts (male foals) and is usually caused by trauma as the foal passes through the birth canal

With specialty equine hospitals stretched thin and only one facility within 100 miles willing to attempt surgery, Dr. Ashley agreed to take on the case, understanding the risks involved.

The team worked on Flame as they would a large-breed dog, adjusting for his long legs and sharp hooves, and moved quickly against the dangerously high potassium levels caused by his ruptured bladder. Within an hour and a half, labs were back, fluids and medications were on board, and Flame was sedated and prepped for surgery.

"I witnessed my team come together after hours with open arms, willing to put all their skills to use to save this innocent life," said Dr. Orin Ashley. The surgery was a success, and Flame has since made a full recovery. Today, he's nine weeks old, strong and healthy.

"Flame is an energetic name that reflects spirit and the drive to succeed or break free from limitations," Kerri said. "I feel that way about my team and the way everyone came together, giving their hearts to this little foal that just needed some caring hands to give him a chance at life."