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6.03.10
Bella is a Thoroughbred filly who was the subject of an RSPCA case, and was surrendered into care 5.03.10. She was foaled early Dec. '07, making her currently around 27mths old.
Bella has some very obvious issues, which include an extreme parrot mouth. Prior to leaving her past owner's property on Friday, she had a Dental visit, when the Dentist removed some hooks from her molars. We will continue to look into Bella's dental issues, and provide her with whatever treatment is deemed by our Dentist and Vet to be required.
Bella has scars on the insides of both hocks, both from fence injuries. One healed, and one in the process of healing. The open wound is apparently the result of the last fence injury around 5 months ago.
Bella is bright, alert, and doing really well with her eating. She is very well adapted to feeding with her physical handicap, but at present all she can manage is small hard feeds.
Bella is showing herself to be an extremely soft natured girl who is exceptionally 'human friendly' and just craves company. She is a pleasure.
8.03.10
11.03.10
Bella is doing very well at this stage, and despite her appearance, really seems to be in quite good spirits, which is great! She has very quickly learned the routines around here, and is gaining confidence in her surroundings every day.
A couple of things that stand out to me at this early stage are that Bella is a very intelligent horse, and that she has a naturally 'touchy feeley' friendly nature. In time to come, she will make an outstanding companion and riding partner.
For the time being, no expectations of Bella other than to recuperate.
Bella has an anti-bacterial/fungal bath today and feels MUCH less greasy. She had a sun bake and a pick, and I took some stats. She's 14.2 hh, and 270 kgs.
17.03.10
The shot below shows clearly the extent of Bella's parrot mouth.
23.03.10
Bella had a visit from Jude today, and was an absolute angel for her. She really is a horse who goes above and beyond to 'try' for you. Although apprehensive, she makes the choice to trust. She was a little concerned about having the hind leg with the injury handled, but relaxed very quickly.
Bella's always looking for ways to express affection, probably more so than any horse I've known. You can see in the picture above right that she found a way to give a 'Bella Cuddle' to Jude while Jude was doing a front foot :)
Jude is very happy with Bella's progress, and saw improvement in her body condition when I hadn't, so that was good to hear.
26.03.10
Well Bella had a lovely day today in the garden.
As you may have gathered from the pics, my paddocks are close to bare at the moment, but I am way behind on the mowing and the lawn around the house is out of control! Bella had plenty to do exploring the garden, introduced herself to the dogs, and generally followed me around while I did my jobs.
It was actually very hard to get a photo of her while I was on the same side of the fence as her as she insisted upon sticking to me like glue. When I went inside she actually waited at the back door. I went down to the horses at one point and Bella stood at the garden fence calling out to me.
The degree to which Bella wants to be around humans continues to astound me. I have never known anything like it to this degree. She really makes your heart glow with her affection and gentle touches.
30.03.10
Sincere thanks to Nicole Frank & Tashwood Horse Rugs for Bella's beautiful new rug. It's the perfect size ..just a bit on the large size for her, which will allow for her to do some filling out and growing over winter.
Bella's name on her bot bot is a lovely touch :)
1.04.10
Big day for Bella today. Earlier this week Equine Dentist Esther Davis paid a visit to Bella to assess her dental situation, which is obviously always going to be an issue for Bella. Due to the work that needed doing, and our wish to minimise the stress to Bella, it was decided that Esther would return at a time when my Vet Jude could also be in attendance to sedate Bella. Jude and Esther rearranged their schedules for this morning, and both attended Bella.
Esther is writing up her report and will get that to me when she's done, and probably best that I refer to that to provide details. Jude and Esther were wonderful with Bella, and took all the time in the world with her.
The biggest issue for Bella is some displaced teeth she has. This time around, Esther was able to get a good look, and as it turns out, it's 2 molars (the same 2 molars) on each side. They are jutting out sideways from the jaw, and allowing a huge amount of feed to pack around them. 
Bella required extensive rasping along the tongue side of the rear displaced molars. Filing was also done along the whole of the bottom two arcades, (rows of teeth), as the previous dentist didn't appear to do any filing there. The dental treatment Bella received a few weeks ago was a complete waste of time, as the only teeth that were rasped were the intermediate molars, which are baby teeth, and which she's very close to losing.
It's vital that the packing is removed from around the displaced teeth constantly, which is pretty hard without a gag..well not really possible at all. I will however do my best everyday. If gunk is allowed to accumulate in these pockets, the area will continue to be a nest of bacteria, and a cause of gingivitis of the gums.
Esther also removed a cap from a front tooth. She will be returning regularly to do more work, and to ensure those areas that are trapping feed are clean. She says that due to the fact that Bella's teeth will never work as they should, i.e. that each tooth has an opposing tooth to grind against, that Bella will need very regular, constant maintenance of her teeth, which is something that we have already factored in to Bella's care and thinking re her future. She said that the fact that Bella is only 2 is really going in our favour, as we can get on top of the situation, and work with it as she grows. As long as Bella has this frequent expert dental care, there is no reason why she can't live a great life.
Our sincere gratitude to both Jude and Esther for their kind, sensitive, and skilled care. Two exceptional ladies, who are not only brilliant at their respective professions, but who possess real compassion. Top marks to Esther, who gave birth to a new son only six weeks ago!
Bella having a sun bake, blissfully unaware of the big day ahead, took advantage this morning of the breakfast in bed service I provide :)
Bella's Dental Report:
DIAGNOSIS:
- Extreme parrot mouth.
- Loose cap (baby tooth) 101, this is her first baby incisor to be shed and will make way for adult incisors. This is normal.
- Moderate sharpness rear 1 and 2 arcades, (these are her top rows of molars).
- Extensive sharpness on both 3 and 4 arcades, (her bottom rows of molars), does not appear to have been treated recently - Lingually displaced, (towards the tongue), 410 409 310 309, (her last two molars on both sides at the bottom), probably caused by overcrowding due to the displaced upper jaw from the parrot mouth.
- Diastema, (gap between two teeth), between 410 and 409 with tight foul smelling feed packing in this gap.
- Foul smelling feed packed around the areas of the displaced molars on the cheek side caused by the pocket created by the displaced molars, inflamed gums and possible infection around these molars from bacteria in the feed packing.
- Barley grass seeds in gums.
TREATMENT:
- Incisor cap extracted.
- Sharpness filed both lower arcades.
- Sharpness filed rear of upper arcades.
- Packed feed from around the displaced molars removed with the probe and the area flushed outwith disinfectant.
- Displaced molars filed on lingual, (tongue side), to reduce their protrusion.
- Barley grass seeds removed from small ulcers in gums around incisors.
FUTURE TREATMENT:
- Check feed packing in 2-3 weeks around the displaced molars now that filing has been done. Filing should lessen the ability for feed to collect in these areas. This may need to be done with vet sedation as it is at the very rear of her mouth and may be too challenging for an unbroken horse.
- Check horse every 3 months until 5 years of age. Routine removal of both incisor and molar caps until 4 1/2 years old.
- Monitor feed packing and gum health around displaced molars. File displaced molars on lingual side and possibly the remaining lower molars on the buccal (tongue) side to encourage food movement. X Ray for possible damage to tooth structures caused by infection an gum disease if no improvement.
- Monitor positioning of displaced molars once the 308 and 408 caps shed and adult molars emerge at around 3 1/2 to 4 years of age.
- Regular (lifelong) filing of hooks (molar extensions) caused by parrot mouth on the upper 106 206 (first molars on top arcades) once adult molars are in wear at around 2 1/2 - 3 yrs of age, and filing of rear extensions on 311 411 (last molars in mouth) once these teeth emerge and are in wear at around 41/2 years of age. Only lifelong regular filing of these extensions will enable the horse to grind its feed in the regular manner.
- Possible future reduction in length of the incisors once the adult incisors (after 5 years of age) are in place if they become too long and are causing pain to the opposing jaw due to parrot mouth.
PROGNOSIS:
- Horse should be able to manage its feed well long term if provided with grazing in the form of grass which is not short in length so that it can be picked up easily due to parrot mouth. Strip grazing to encourage grass length is ideal.
- Horse will be able to grind feed well if regular dental treatment eliminates molar extensions caused by parrot mouth. These extensions would otherwise impede grinding and normal molar wear.
- Regular filing in the area of the displaced molars should encourage feed movement and eliminate gum disease, infection and loss of molars which would occur in the long-term if this was not treated.
Sincere thanks to our wonderful Dentist:
11.04.10
I found Bella markedly lame this morning, with inflammation around the scar on her off side hock. Thankfully my Vet Jude was scheduled to come out anyway to do a couple of jobs, so was able to examine Bella right away. Jude has diagnosed Bella with Cellulitis.
Definition:
Cellulitis is inflammation of subcutaneous tissues. Many times, a cause for the swelling cannot be found, but some common reasons for cellulitis include scratches, blunt trauma, lacerations, or small puncture wounds. Inflammation, with or without bacterial infection, that is trapped under the skin, is clinically expressed as heat and swelling of the affected tissues thus resulting in a swollen, painful leg. Many times the horse will be severely lame and might even have a fever. Treatment of cellulitis often includes hydrotherapy, sweat/pressure bandaging, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. Diagnostic tests or treatments might be required to check the integrity of underlying bone and soft tissues.
Reviewing Limb Cellulitis: Management Key to Good Outcome
by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
According to a new Canadian study, cellulitis--a diffuse bacterial infection of the skin and associated tissues--is common in horses, particularly Thoroughbreds, but is rarely life threatening if managed appropriately. "Despite being a common affliction in horses, little evidence is available regarding the cause, predisposing factors, or ideal diagnostic or treatment strategies," said ... Read more
Bella was immediately worried about us treating the area and was fairly uncooperative. She is on bute, and twice daily shots of penicillin for a few days. Very disappointing and worrying that she has yet another battle to fight.
18.04.10
20.04.10
I have taken Bella's bandage off and her wound is looking great. The Cellulitis seems to have resolved, so that's a great relief :) 
It is still raised immediately around the actual wound, but I think that small area of hardness might be there to stay. I was thrilled to see her leg looking better.
That Manuka Honey is incredible stuff!
Kudos too to Jude for being the only person I know who can put a bandage on the hock that doesn't shift an inch for a week, no easy task! I'll be watching the leg like a hawk.
Have you ever seen such soft eyes on a horse?
27.04.10
7.05.10
8.05.10
15.05.10
Ten weeks into care and Bella is doing well. She is an absolute pleasure to have around, and always has a big 'hello' for me when she sees me. She has very little interest in the other horses, and still spends most of her time trying to con her way into the house yard :)
25.05.10
Big day for Bella today. Her second dental visit from Esther, and Vet Jude was also good enough to attend again, to manage sedation for Bella and to assist Esther.
Another VERY special visitor for Bella today was RSPCA Inspector Maree Crabtree, who attended in order to take follow-up photos, and to see Bella's progress. Maree had been looking forward very much to seeing Bella again, in better circumstances than she was in the last time that she saw her, and I was really happy to see the two of them together. Very special moment :) Maree is very fond of Bella, as is everyone who meets this special girl.
We would also like to thank Maree very much for making a significant personal financial donation towards Bella's care. What a lady.
Bella had molar caps extracted, wolf teeth extracted, her lower incisor caps extracted, the tightly packed and foul smelling feed cleaned from the space mentioned after her previous dental visit, and some more filing. Esther will be back in three months to check on Bella's teeth, and to also re-clean the area where the feed is packing.
As always, our sincerest thanks to these wonderful professionals who take the time out of their busy lives to attend to Bella. Thank you also to Inspector Crabtree for initially securing Bella's future well-being by facilitating Bella's removal from her previous circumstances, for making the long journey to see us today, and for the very kind contribution towards Bella's care. You are a woman who has her heart in her job :)
19.06.10
16.07.10
More dental work for the poor girl.
You'll note hat the gag has to be held at an angle that is quite uncomfortable for Bella, but due to the misalignment of Bella's top/bottom jaws, it is the only way in which we can keep the gag from slipping out of place. Bella is always sedated for these sessions. Thanks, as always, to Equine Dentist Esther Davis, and Vet Judith Mulholland.
18.07.10
Bella has not been doing well since her last dental treatment. She is very low, which could be attributed to the pain. Hoping she perks up within the next couple of days.
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