A Happy Hippo

The vet was out this afternoon, we never did find any real smoking gun telling us why Gabe suddenly developed chewing problems, but he does have several nasty ulcers on his cheeks from sharp points on his teeth.  This was kind of surprising as he had his teeth done just last year and he is not quite 6 yet.  I think he must have jabbed one of these ulcers with a bit of hay or straw making it very painful to chew.  Regardless, the vet filed off all the sharp points and aligned his bite so Gabe is a back to being a Happy Hippo now.  He had no trouble plowing into the hay when all was done.  He thinks he should still get some soaked hay pellets and was disappointed when I said, "Fat chance Mr. Hippo!"

This was a new vet I decided to try.  It can be hard to get vet help out here in an emergency and they won't come at all if you are not a client so I like to try to maintain relations with more than one vet.  I really liked Dr. R.  She was very knowledgeable, personable and easy to work with.  She is a horsewoman herself so she understands them and got along well with everybody.  She is rather fond of donkeys as well, but then who could resist.

She is also willing to treat my dog on the farm which most vets won't anymore.  Tanner is so profoundly terrified of vet clinics that taking him in is a horribly traumatic for all involved.  He got his shots as well this afternoon with no stress and we discussed some options for relieving his arthritis pain.  I am very grateful for that.  

We went ahead and gave everyone on the farm all of their shots for the year, I even managed to get a hold of Moss long enough to jab her a couple of times.  Tessa's teeth are in great condition and didn't need work which was a small break.  Hopefully, fingers crossed and prayers to heaven, we wont need to see any more vets for the rest of the year!

The donkeys were, of course, deeply interested in all the goings on with the horses.

"WHAT are you doing to that horse??!"

"You'll find out soon enough Em...."

I had to leave them locked up until it was their turn.  You wouldn't believe the kind of havoc a couple of young donkeys could wreck upon a bunch of veterinary paraphernalia.   I shudder at the thought.