07/29/2026
The NVA Heroes at 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.
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.
Veterinary Assistant Olivia Hatter, who grew up on her family's horse farm, said Flame was calm and unbothered as he walked 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.
