Cajun Heads West After Tufts Stay

A Paint Horse injured in the tornadoes that tore through Central and Western Massachusetts last month will be released today after more than a month of intensive care at the

Cajun, the 9-year-old gelding owned by Joann and Joel Kass and Steven Bush of Brimfield, was one of four horses affected by the tornado, which leveled the family’s home in Brimfield.

Another horse died, and two others were treated for cuts and abrasions. Cajun was impaled by a finger-sized piece of wood that penetrated his right rear coffin joint and tendon sheath.

Since then, he has undergone three surgeries to remove fragments from the foreign body. Because of the location and nature of the injury—in a joint located inside the hoof—the wound is difficult to visualize through even the most sophisticated means and is susceptible to infection.

What’s more, Tufts’ Hospital for Large Animals has applied donations of nearly $6,000 to Cajun’s care and has committed to covering the balance of the almost $20,000 bill.

As a result, the Kass family, whose house and barn were destroyed in the tornadoes, will not receive a bill for his care at Tufts, led by Clinical Assistant Professor Thomas Jenei, DVM, DACVS, as well as faculty surgeons, residents, interns, veterinary technicians, and fourth-year veterinary students at the Cummings School. 

 “Cajun has made spectacular progress through multiple surgeries and a severe risk of infection, and it has truly been a team effort to manage this difficult injury,” said Dr. Jenei in a prepared statement.

“The dedication of Cajun’s surgeons to get every last piece of shrapnel out of his joint was matched only by the excellent care he received from our students and staff,'' he said.

Dr. Jenei gave particular credit to Clinical Assistant Professor Katherine Chope, VMD, whose ultrasound expertise allowed surgeons at the hospital to visualize remaining fragments within the coffin joint.

Although Cajun’s wounds have healed well enough for him to be discharged, his owners will need to be vigilant about infection, Dr. Jenei added.

 “We are enormously thankful to the Cummings School and the Hospital for Large Animals—as well as the generosity of the community—for their generosity in supporting and healing Cajun,” said owner Joann Kass in a prepared statement. 

Upon discharge, Cajun will be transported to Ross Haven Farm, an equine rehabilitation facility in Sturbridge. Although independent of Tufts, the farm is run by one of Cajun’s surgeons, Associate Professor Dr. Carl Kirker-Head, and his wife, Romona, another Cummings School employee.