July 13, 2007: "Chelsee"
On a day that most consider unlucky (Friday the 13th), this little mare found her lady luck and was surrendered to Johnston County Animal Control officials. USERL picked her up Saturday morning from the shelter and began to unravel the mystery of her lack of weight gain.
The mare, now named Chelsee, is a body condition score of 1. Her BLM freezebrand (and teeth) show her to be 7 years old. But Chelsee was struggling with her weight in the care of her previous owner (their other horses are in very good condition). Upon a brief examination, Chelsee was reluctant to open her mouth wide enough to see anything.
Dr. Jim Meyer of Neuse River Veterinary Hospital came out Saturday to examine Chelsee and found her teeth in horrible condition. A very close examination was impossible in the field, so Chelsee will have to be taken to their clinic for a full exam to determine what is wrong with her teeth, and how to fix it. Updates will be posted as they come.
On a day that most consider unlucky (Friday the 13th), this little mare found her lady luck and was surrendered to Johnston County Animal Control officials. USERL picked her up Saturday morning from the shelter and began to unravel the mystery of her lack of weight gain.
The mare, now named Chelsee, is a body condition score of 1. Her BLM freezebrand (and teeth) show her to be 7 years old. But Chelsee was struggling with her weight in the care of her previous owner (their other horses are in very good condition). Upon a brief examination, Chelsee was reluctant to open her mouth wide enough to see anything.
Dr. Jim Meyer of Neuse River Veterinary Hospital came out Saturday to examine Chelsee and found her teeth in horrible condition. A very close examination was impossible in the field, so Chelsee will have to be taken to their clinic for a full exam to determine what is wrong with her teeth, and how to fix it. Updates will be posted as they come.
"Chelsee"
On Left:
Chelsee gets some TLC from a young USERL volunteer.
On Right:
Chelsee checks out her quarantine paddock.
Chelsee gets some TLC from a young USERL volunteer.
On Right:
Chelsee checks out her quarantine paddock.
Update: July 17, 2007
Chelsee is holding her own. She is too weak,obviously, for major dental work at this time. But her bloodwork shows her strong enough for light sedation so they can make her more comfortable. Neuse River vets will be working on Chelsee Wednesday (July 18th).
Update: July 26, 2007
Chelsee did great for the dental work-up and the veterinarians from Neuse River Vet. Hospital were able to more than they expected they could. Two inches of molar length in the front molars was removed, giving Chelsee a much more comfortable chewing ability. She is now eating better and will require more dental work when she is stronger. The cause of her dental issues is still unkown. Updated photos will be coming soon!
Chelsee is holding her own. She is too weak,obviously, for major dental work at this time. But her bloodwork shows her strong enough for light sedation so they can make her more comfortable. Neuse River vets will be working on Chelsee Wednesday (July 18th).
Update: July 26, 2007
Chelsee did great for the dental work-up and the veterinarians from Neuse River Vet. Hospital were able to more than they expected they could. Two inches of molar length in the front molars was removed, giving Chelsee a much more comfortable chewing ability. She is now eating better and will require more dental work when she is stronger. The cause of her dental issues is still unkown. Updated photos will be coming soon!
Update: August 11, 2007
Chelsee is gaining weight easily now that she can chew her food. The dramatic improvement is obvious with the photos. Chelsee is still on soaked feed and will likely need additional teeth work done, but it's obvious she can now eat!
Thank you Dr. Kate Christenson and Dr. Katie Carothers!!
Chelsee is gaining weight easily now that she can chew her food. The dramatic improvement is obvious with the photos. Chelsee is still on soaked feed and will likely need additional teeth work done, but it's obvious she can now eat!
Thank you Dr. Kate Christenson and Dr. Katie Carothers!!
August 11, 2007
Right and Left:
Chelsee enjoys her new favorite pastime - eating hay!
Right and Left:
Chelsee enjoys her new favorite pastime - eating hay!
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