Festus

Festus is as, you can see, is a donkey and a very nice boy. This lady acquired him from a man that just had too many. At one point in his life, I'm thinking when he was very young (He's 8 to 9ish now), he had a sever foot injury that has left him, well, crippled for the most part. The owner called me to see if I could do something for him. After seeing him, I told her I would try and help but I don't think there is much I will be able to do. He has learned to get around like he is and gets around quite well to be honest. She has him on a simple diet of just hay. His other three feet are in great shape. What I believe happened to him is he had a break at the joint where P2 and P3 meet when he was younger and was not treated and left to heal on it's own. P3 appears to have twisted and what would be the proximal side pointing to the medial side and the palmar processes running proximal and distal although without radiographs it's very difficult to tell. I have found an area that I believe to be the frog and what should be the heel bulbs but it has grown very far down the foot. He does put weight on it but very minimal as you can see the atrophy of muscle in his rear leg. I'm really hoping she can get radiographs done of this foot because that will really help. I like to stay optimistic about everything but I just believe there is little I can do for this guy. There is no reason for him to be put down as he eats well and has learned to get around like this. He seems happy and full of life although he is in some pain.
  The client has had radiographs taken of Fetus's' feet and he has relatively no coffin bone left but has given me an idea of what we can do which in all reality isn't much. I have included the radiographs in the images to the left.
  We have had some progress in the fact that I have taken the "toe" area wayyy back. At first before the radiographs I was reluctant to do so but since seeing them it allows me to take it back. He has developed an area of "frog" and his foot is changing. It will never be able to bear weight very much but it's a start. I have also been experimenting with a boot and even thinking of trying a cast with a pad on it to see if that can't make him more comfortable. The foot is not "rockering" to the lateral side as he bears weight on it much anymore which helps but we shall see. I'll keep you up to date.