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Peyton and I were working on getting some of our rescues transported out when we heard what sounded like something moaning, trying to give birth.
At first I thought maybe it was one of the cows.
Then Peyton looked over and realized it was actually one of the donkeys. We immediately ran over.
It became very clear that something was wrong.
She kept trying to push, moaning, laying down in agony… a sound I have never heard a horse or donkey make during birth.
It wasn’t until the bag started coming out that we realized we had a major problem.
It was a red bag.
For those who don’t know, a red bag means the placenta detached too early, cutting off the baby’s oxygen supply. Every second matters in that moment.
We immediately FaceTimed one of our vets.
They told us we needed to get the bag open and start assisting her with every contraction.
Red bags are very often fatal.
We were on FaceTime with two vets at the same time, doing everything we possibly could to help her.
Nothing was working.
We were both almost shoulder deep trying to reposition the baby to get it out correctly.
It wasn’t just a red bag. The baby was positioned wrong. Completely stuck.
At that point, both vets told us the same thing.
We had to get her into the trailer and to the hospital immediately or she would start going septic. There was no chance the baby was going to make it.
We got her loaded and rushed her to the hospital.
The team at Outlaw Vet Hospital immediately jumped into save mode.
It took three grown men to get the baby out. That’s how severe this was.
She is now in ICU.
Her appetite is low.
Her demeanor is low.
Everything is low.
But she is still fighting.
She will need at least another week of IV fluids and intensive care to get through this. We are determined to get her through this but we need your support to do that.#feedinghorses #lemon #Lemon8 #lemon8challenge #donate
Witnessing a red bag emergency during a donkey’s birth was one of the most intense experiences I have ever had in animal rescue. The red bag scenario, where the placenta detaches prematurely from the uterus, cuts off oxygen supply to the foal and creates a dire situation requiring immediate action. From my experience, every second truly counts. The frantic moaning and agonizing attempts to give birth immediately signal something is wrong—this is not a typical labor. Rescuers must be prepared to act swiftly and coordinate with qualified veterinarians. In our case, FaceTiming vets helped guide crucial steps despite the life-threatening circumstances. Handling a stuck baby is physically demanding and emotionally taxing. It often requires multiple rescuers working together, repositioning the foal manually, and preparing for transport to an emergency hospital as soon as possible. The chances of survival drastically decrease if the foal remains trapped longer. Even after the foal is delivered, the mother’s condition can deteriorate quickly—sepsis and exhaustion are common risks, and intensive care including IV fluids is vital to stabilize her. It is a draining process both physically and financially for rescuers and rescue organizations. This story underscores the importance of community support through donations. Each contribution helps cover emergency veterinary care, medications, and extended ICU stays that save these precious animals’ lives. Sharing awareness and contributing helps ensure that more animals like this brave donkey and her foal receive timely, life-saving treatments. For those passionate about equine rescue, understanding red bag emergencies and rapid intervention methods is critical. Training, preparedness, and strong veterinary partnerships are the backbone of successful rescue outcomes. This experience taught me that with dedication and collective effort, even the most severe birth complications can be faced with hope and action.
