Earlier today, we received Billy’s post-mortem exam from AVC.

For those who may not know Billy’s story, he came into our care in early January after an urgent call for help. Over the years, he had lived in several homes, and while he was loved, his medical needs eventually outgrew what could be provided.

After a veterinarian identified what was believed to be a fractured leg, Billy was formally surrendered into our care and transported to the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) in PEI for assessment.

Once at AVC, further imaging revealed that his challenges ran deeper than an injury. While his leg fracture was no longer visible, Billy was in significant pain, had limited use of his hind end, and showed signs of serious spinal damage.

His spine was misaligned at the base, which caused compression of his spinal cord—explaining his weakness, paralysis, and pain.

There was no surgical option available to help him, and despite efforts to manage his pain and inflammation, it became clear that he would not be able to recover comfortably. With his quality of life foremost in mind, and after careful consultation with his veterinary team, the decision was made to help him pass peacefully.

The post-mortem confirmed what imaging had shown: Billy had chronic compression of his spinal cord caused by an abnormal alignment of the bones at the base of his spine. It’s likely this condition developed gradually over time, was the result of an old injury or had been present since birth.

Although Billy never set hoof at Lily’s Place, he became part of our family. Many of our volunteers had met him in earlier years through past rescue efforts, and he was deeply cared about by those who knew him.

Billy’s life mattered deeply. We’re grateful he knew family, familiarity, and love during his time in this world—and that we could be there for him at the end, making sure he was surrounded by compassion.