East Kilbride family to create change after horse's treatment bills

Glasgow Times

3 days ago

Joanna Cran bought Clydesdale beauty Arthur about five years ago for her daughter Kaitlin who suffers from anxiety and depression.
(Image: Left to right: Riley Cran, Jack Cran, Louise McFarlane and Kaitlin Cran. Pictures by Gordon Terris) "Arthur has been a huge therapy for Caitlin," Joanna told the Glasgow Times.
The 46-year-old added: "Caitlin has done so much work with him, especially in producing and showing him.
"Arthur isn't just a horse, he's part of the family."
Left to right: Riley, Jack, Louise and Nicole Cran pictured by Gordon TeeBut when Arthur became severely unwell, the family were left worrying about his welfare and the bills that came with it.
It all started when Arthur had to get a few of his upper left teeth removed after some had cracked and went through to his root, causing a sinus infection.
He had to have surgery on his sinuses to clear pus from the infected tooth. In order to carry out the surgery and drain his sinuses, the 'gentle giant' had to have a hole drilled through a bone in his forehead.
A few days later, pus started to pour from the hole. Arthur was given antibiotics and a device was fitted which had to be flushed daily and was designed to drain the pus.
But when the family flushed the mechanism, the pus was just coming out of his nose.
From there, things began to get worse for Arthur.
Joanna explained: "He became really sick and the bacteria in him was resistant to loads of antibiotics.
"The vets put him on different medications but nothing worked and it was a struggle to get on top of the infection.
"He had to go back into hospital for four weeks, where he then developed an oro-nasal fistulae and a fungal infection.
"Some of Arthur's bone had become damaged and diseased, so the vets had to rebuild the bone with specific cement which is extremely expensive."
(Image: Kaitlin Cran and Arthur, pictured by Gordon Terris, Newsquest) The family quickly set up a GoFundMe to desperately raise the money needed for essential medicines, scans and surgeries.
Arthur's initial surgery and tooth extraction were over £2000 along with over another £1000 for veterinary aftercare. Meanwhile, the CT scan was around £1300 and the current bill for his ongoing treatment and inpatient care is around £2000 and climbing daily.
Joanna added that insurance isn't an option, and even if it had been, the limit would already have been long surpassed by now.
Over £3,000 has so far been donated via the crowdfunder.
Speaking on the donations, an emotional Joanna said: "I can't believe how kind people have been.
"There are strangers out there who do not know us but have been so unbelievably kind."
(Image: Pictures taken by Gordon Terris, Newsquest) Due to how high the bills were, the family were asked if they wanted to consider putting Arthur down but the family knew he had more life in him and could not, in good conscience, euthanise him.
However, this got the family thinking of how many horses could be put down due to people not having the money to treat their beloved animals.
Off the back of this, the family plan to use any leftover money donated to set up a fund with the vets which someone in their position can use.
They also plan to do some fundraising events to raise even more for the fund.
Joanna said: "The thought of people putting their horses to sleep because they can't afford bills is heartbreaking.
"Hopefully we have some money left and can raise some through events which can help whoever finds themselves in a similar position to us."
(Image: Pictures taken by Gordon Terris, Newsquest) Arthur is now finally home.
Joanna said: "He isn't in the clear yet, but hopefully this is a turning point."
You can donate to the GoFundMe by visiting www.gofundme.com/f/puk8c-help-save-arthur