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NC Triangle Region
USERL Assists Stray Pony
April 14, 2011:
A stray pony was accepted into the USERL - NC Triangle Region Horse Program from Johnston County Animal Services. She was found loose Sunday, and is very thin. The little mare is shy, but sweet and appears to have a chronic skin condition. The 15 year old mare had been body clipped. She is currently in quarantine and doing very well thus far. No owner has come forward to claim her.
Please check back soon for updates!
A stray pony was accepted into the USERL - NC Triangle Region Horse Program from Johnston County Animal Services. She was found loose Sunday, and is very thin. The little mare is shy, but sweet and appears to have a chronic skin condition. The 15 year old mare had been body clipped. She is currently in quarantine and doing very well thus far. No owner has come forward to claim her.
Please check back soon for updates!
May 7, 2011:
The pony, now named Lil' Gypsy, is gaining weight and showing some sass! She was body clipped Friday to even up the haircut she came with. Gypsy needs her teeth floated, and a lameness evaluation on her front left (possible old founder). Her lack of energy made it difficult to assess her lameness issues. She was also very stiff in her rear legs when she arrived, but that has improved with muscle returning. Any remaining lameness in the rear will also be re-evaluated.
Although shy, Lil' Gypsy now loves her "food" person and whinnies whenever she spots her. Her trust must be gained before she acknowledges that she does, in fact, like you! And then she is very giving of herself. But despite the shyness, she is very well mannered on the lead and does whatever is asked of her.
If anyone would like to sponsor her for the veterinary needs, please see tan box above for donation information!
The pony, now named Lil' Gypsy, is gaining weight and showing some sass! She was body clipped Friday to even up the haircut she came with. Gypsy needs her teeth floated, and a lameness evaluation on her front left (possible old founder). Her lack of energy made it difficult to assess her lameness issues. She was also very stiff in her rear legs when she arrived, but that has improved with muscle returning. Any remaining lameness in the rear will also be re-evaluated.
Although shy, Lil' Gypsy now loves her "food" person and whinnies whenever she spots her. Her trust must be gained before she acknowledges that she does, in fact, like you! And then she is very giving of herself. But despite the shyness, she is very well mannered on the lead and does whatever is asked of her.
If anyone would like to sponsor her for the veterinary needs, please see tan box above for donation information!
Lil' Gypsy enjoys some grazing time (above left). She has some energy now and trots around the farm (above right).
Lil' Gypsy says "Thank You" to everyone!
June 6, 2011:
Lil'Gypsy continues to gain weight, strength and a zest for life! Her quarantine was lifted after the initial 3 weeks, but she then had an episode that appeared to be a petit mal seizure, and was returned to quarantine, along with the horses she had contact with (the foster's aged mare and Wee Biscuit). Bloodwork showed increase in white blood cells. Her appetite remained very good, no fever, etc. Gypsy was put on antibiotics, and bloodwork after ten days showed everything normal. Her quarantine has been lifted with no further incidents of seizures/ataxia related problems. She cannot sweat, which is typical for a malnourished horse, so she is watched closely and cooled as needed with baths and fans.
Gypsy's teeth were floated as well as a lameness exam. She drags her front right and appears to have loss of use in that shoulder. Evaluation found limited flexion of the shoulder. Uncertain now if nerve damage is present as she hasn't gained enough muscle mass to determine if muscle atrophy has occurred. Hind leg lameness was still difficult as she is very timid about someone handling her rear legs. Her hind left appears to the the issue, but due to her uncooperative nature, it could not be determined where/what the issue is. Since it has been improving, we will continue to monitor it and provide good turnout time for her to improve mobility (this along with gaining muscle mass seems to be helping her hind end lamenss issues). More diagnostics may be needed later to determine long term issues. Gypsy is currently on Equioxx for long term pain management.
Lil'Gypsy continues to gain weight, strength and a zest for life! Her quarantine was lifted after the initial 3 weeks, but she then had an episode that appeared to be a petit mal seizure, and was returned to quarantine, along with the horses she had contact with (the foster's aged mare and Wee Biscuit). Bloodwork showed increase in white blood cells. Her appetite remained very good, no fever, etc. Gypsy was put on antibiotics, and bloodwork after ten days showed everything normal. Her quarantine has been lifted with no further incidents of seizures/ataxia related problems. She cannot sweat, which is typical for a malnourished horse, so she is watched closely and cooled as needed with baths and fans.
Gypsy's teeth were floated as well as a lameness exam. She drags her front right and appears to have loss of use in that shoulder. Evaluation found limited flexion of the shoulder. Uncertain now if nerve damage is present as she hasn't gained enough muscle mass to determine if muscle atrophy has occurred. Hind leg lameness was still difficult as she is very timid about someone handling her rear legs. Her hind left appears to the the issue, but due to her uncooperative nature, it could not be determined where/what the issue is. Since it has been improving, we will continue to monitor it and provide good turnout time for her to improve mobility (this along with gaining muscle mass seems to be helping her hind end lamenss issues). More diagnostics may be needed later to determine long term issues. Gypsy is currently on Equioxx for long term pain management.
June 26, 2011:
Look at Lil Gypsy now! She is gaining fat and muscle at a steady clip and is much more active. She definitely has muscle atrophy over her right shoulder and continues to drag that leg forward. However, the Equioxx did not seem to make a difference in her comfort level. It will be discussed with the vet about whether or not pain is involved, or rather that it's only involved when her shoulder is really flexed which she doesn't do (and if the joint is fusing and will be even more comfortable when it is totally fused). She will likely need radiographs to determine this. Her hind legs are doing much better and also didn't seem to be affected by Bute or Equioxx.
Lil Gypsy is doing better about being handled. She actually really likes her caregivers and volunteers, just takes awhile for her to get used to new people. Several volunteers are coming out regularly and spending time with her to grow her trust in more people. She's responding very well (thank you, volunteers!!). Now that she is more comfortable about being handled, transporting her to a clinic for radiographs is more possible without stressing her.
Look at Lil Gypsy now! She is gaining fat and muscle at a steady clip and is much more active. She definitely has muscle atrophy over her right shoulder and continues to drag that leg forward. However, the Equioxx did not seem to make a difference in her comfort level. It will be discussed with the vet about whether or not pain is involved, or rather that it's only involved when her shoulder is really flexed which she doesn't do (and if the joint is fusing and will be even more comfortable when it is totally fused). She will likely need radiographs to determine this. Her hind legs are doing much better and also didn't seem to be affected by Bute or Equioxx.
Lil Gypsy is doing better about being handled. She actually really likes her caregivers and volunteers, just takes awhile for her to get used to new people. Several volunteers are coming out regularly and spending time with her to grow her trust in more people. She's responding very well (thank you, volunteers!!). Now that she is more comfortable about being handled, transporting her to a clinic for radiographs is more possible without stressing her.
Lil Gypsy has shed her old haircoat and grown a new one! The foster's aged mare is very attached to Gypsy (and visa versa).