Owner Kathy Munslow is happy with Midget’srecuperation.By Mara Pattison-Sowden
The Hoddles Creek pony had a life-threatening condition and was operated on by a vet from the WoofPurNay Veterinary Clinic.
The plight of one-year-old Midget was broadcast across Australia on national radio and in print at the end of May.
Midget was born with a cleft palate, which meant she had trouble digesting her food – it either entered the lungs or came out through her nose.
Owner Kathy Munslow rescued Midget two months ago, knowing about the condition, but not knowing how bad it was.
“I didn’t think the surgery was at the critical stage, but the vet said it was a time-bomb waiting to go off,” Ms Munslow said.
“It was thousands and thousands of dollars but the vet knocked so much off the price.”
Ms Munslow, who survives on a pension, still could not afford the operation, which is why she turned to the public for help.
She said people from as far away as the Gold Coast and Tasmania called to donate money for the life-saving procedure.
The operation on 27 May was a success, and all that is visible of the surgery is a 20cm row of stitches on the pony’s throat.
Ms Munslow will have to keep an eye on the pony for the rest of its life and is so grateful for the help she received.
She is in the process of setting up a non-profit charity and Midget’s plight has brought together more people who want to help animals with special needs.
“There are not many animals here but we want to bring more in,” Ms Munslow said.
“Not many” refers to the two alpacas that have to be bottle-fed five-times a day, two horses, four other miniature ponies, and four dogs that came from traumatised backgrounds.
Ms Munslow thinks the rescue centre will head towards long-term care for animals, and saving racehorses.
“There’s thousands of horses a year put down because they don’t make it as racehorses,” she said.
Those interested in helping with the rescue centre can contact Kathy Munslow on 5967 4279.
