This is the story of one vets dedication and compassion to the equine industry. Dr. Molly McOwen
of McOwen Veterinary Services, Ltd. has played an iatrical part of our community’s equine health. We would like
to tell you the story of Scout, a grade 9-year old gelding, with the heart and will to live.
Back on September 23, 2003, Scout was found down in his pasture unable to get up. Dr. McOwen
was called and responded immediately. Dr. McOwen highly suspected Scout had been stricken with the West Nile Virus upon
her preliminary examination. Blood was drawn and supportive care was administered in the field. Dr. McOwen gave
a grim prognosis; living through the night was only a 15% chance. Scout’s owner, Roger Atkins, spent the chilly
damp evening in the field beside Scout. Scout was covered with wool blankets and pillows bedded his head for the battle
he was to fight through the night.
As the sun rose, Scout’s will to live was evident. Still lying in the pasture, with a
nicker here and a nicker there, Dr. McOwen saw the spark in his eye and with the help of the owner and a neighbor pulled Scout
to his feet several times but he was unable to remain there in his weakened state. Dr. McOwen administered more supportive
care that morning. She knew if Scout were to survive the virus he needed to be supported to remain on his feet; lying
down in the pasture was no longer an option for Scout according to Dr. McOwen.
In a barren pasture with no shelter or trees, this seemed like an impossible task. Dr. McOwen
spoke with the neighbor about some ways to lift Scout to his feet. Dr. McOwen made several phone calls with the hopes
of finding a horse sling. Her ingenuity inspired all of us, as a horse sling was not obtainable, but she was determined
to make something that would work. This led the neighbor to his work to load up some choker straps and a hoist frame
that we would erect around Scout. The hoist frame was made of steel beams with a chain fall attached. Things began
to look promising. Dr. McOwen returned to help with this process. Upon her return, she explained to the owners
that if this worked we would have to get Scout transported to Ohio State University for more intense care and treatment of
this nasty virus. Heartbreaking enough for the owners, this was not a financial feasibility.
Dr. McOwen realizing this rallied everyone there lifting spirits to make all this come together.
Dr. McOwen made a sling out of lead ropes and choker straps, while the owners, neighbors and friends erected the hoist frame.
Three hours later Scout was supported by the homemade contraption. Dr. McOwen stayed with Scout for hours until he had
enough balance to slowly release supportive tension from the self made sling. Dr. McOwen then gave mash and water to
a hungry slightly dehydrated Scout. Seeing Scout standing unsupported yet woozy was beyond anyone’s expectations
at this point. With night falling and the possibility of rain, seeking Scout shelter was now the priority. Dr.
McOwen assessed the situation and the horse and decided to let Scout tell her what he needed. This led to the decision
to make the long walk to the barn with Scout before the rain began to fall. With the owner leading Scouts head and Dr.
McOwen holding his tail so he could balance his hindquarters, they walked the seven acres to the refuge of Scouts stall.
Scout was a trooper, once he realized where he was going he became alert and paced himself for the walk ahead of him.
This amazing feat by a horse with the will to live and the expertise and compassion of Dr. McOwen
made us all believe this virus could be defeated. Scout remained upright in his stall that evening with the supportive
loving care of his owners. Dr. McOwen returned to the farm early the next morning and was elated to see Scout still
standing. Dr. McOwen did an assessment and was pleased with her findings; more supportive care was administered.
The statistics of a horse surviving this virus once they are down is very slim.
Because of Dr. McOwen's expertise in equine medicine and her passion for horses and their owners
enabled all of this to take place. Due to Dr. McOwen’s diligence and positive attitude, Scout never lost his will
to fight this virus. Through all of the events that transpired that evening you could always here Dr. McOwen giving
Scout an encouraging word and a kind rub on the neck. Not once was she too caught up in the moment that she forgot about
him.
On Friday September 26, 2003, Scout was checked on by a neighbor, only to find him lying down in
his stall. Dr. McOwen was already on her way for his daily treatment. All efforts were made to bring him to his
feet again, without success. Time was of the essence as the “spark” in his eye was starting to dwindle,
Scout was exhausted. As Scout lie there, again Dr. McOwen’s ingenuity lifted our spirits. We had to make
some sort of support system for Scout to be cradled so he could rest & conserve energy as needed.
So, a homemade horse sling was our next challenge. Dr. McOwen contacted a local tack shop
and spoke to the owner about sewing and providing some materials for a horse sling. With some choker straps, heavy canvas,
western tie straps, two fleece girths and some measurements of Scout the horse sling was made. Through the evening Scout’s
condition started to improve, as he was able to rest at will relying on the homemade sling. Dr. McOwen arrived again
on Saturday morning to check his vitals and administer more supportive treatment and was amazed at his improvement overnight.
The blood test results concurred with her initial assessment of the West Nile Virus.
Scout will receive more supportive treatments from Dr. McOwen. Now that Scout is able to rest
at will, his odds are no longer so grim. Although Dr. McOwen explained the recovery process would be slow, there is
hope Scout will make a good recovery with only slight neurological problems.
It is now December 29, 2003, and Scout joined the rest of his herd. He was let out in the pasture
for a couple of weeks by himself to make sure his recovery was as hopeful as we expected. The first thing he did was
lay down and roll and roll and roll. His next venture was to trot then canter to the back part of the field to let his
herd know he was back and feeling great. According to Dr. McOwen’s last check-up on Scout, he has made a speedy
and full recovery with absolutely no signs of neurological problems.
To many equine practitioners this may seem like the normal call of duty but to all of the horse lovers
and owners Dr. McOwen’s professional, compassionate care made a life-threatening event into a life sustaining one.
Anyone that loves their horses knows that this is the greatest gift that any equine vet could give to their clients.
From all of us, Dr. McOwen we would like to say thank you for the hope and inspiration you have given our equine community
by giving us the privilege of being your clients. We are ALL eternally grateful!
We would all like Dr. McOwen of McOwen Veterinarian Services, Ltd. and Lou of Lucky Horse Junction
recognized for their extraordinary efforts in helping Scout recover. Calling Dr. McOwen for her vetinarian services
or dropping by to purchase equine supplies or tack at Lucky Horse Junction to show your patronage we would be forever grateful.
Without Lou, the horse sling would of never been possible. Lou saw the urgency in the matter and stayed way past closing
time to ensure the sling was completed and would be sturdy enough to support the weight of an 1100 lb horse.
McOwen Veterinarian Services, Ltd. Lucky
Horse Junction
Dr. Molly McOwen
1967 North US Route 42
3088 Hatfield Road
Lebanon, Ohio 45036
Lebanon, Ohio 45036
(513) 932-8151
(513) 932-0989
