Grizzer – Another 10 Day Break

You may have noticed that Grizzer hasn’t been on the webcam recently.  We are keeping him separated from Luna to reduce some of the variabilities that may be contributing to his back right leg soreness.  We had separated them a few weeks ago, but this time we decided to move Grizzer to the Pack Holding Area which is a smaller enclosure.  He seems more comfortable being near the wolf lab and with a smaller enclosure, we are able to cover the entire area with cover hay so we reduce another variable, the icy conditions.  Our veterinarian is monitoring his status closely and his treating his condition.  At this point, time will tell if we are on the right path.  We originally planned to immobilize him and take him to the clinic for more extensive diagnostics, but we are always concerned with immobilization risks, especially on a wolf nearing 13 years of age.  So, we decided 10 more days of treatment and rest was a safer course of action and Grizzer seems to be climbing the den and weight bearing on his leg.  This week’s Youtube video showed him caching a beaver in the den with no issues supporting himself with his back legs.  We are also fortunate that Grizzer is a very easy patient for meds delivery and willing comes into the Wolf Care Center for regular weighing sessions.  We decided to give him a bit more time for rest and medication, monitor his weight closely and if get a blood sample without having to immobilize him.  Grizzer has been a willing blood donor in the past, but the last few tries have been unsuccessful; He definitely knows when staff are carrying equipment for a blood-draw. 

Date	Weight	Age
6/10/2016	106.7 lbs	12 years – 1 month (after a winter of construction stress)
6/27/2016	115.9 lbs	2 1/2 weeks later – Wolves are quick to put on weight
8/6/2016	122.8 lbs	12 years – 3 months
11/18/2016	129.4  lbs	12 years – 6 months – this is the largest weight Grizzer has ever been
12/13/2016	129.2 lbs	Maintaining his weight even though he is sharing resources with Luna
4/1/2017	115 lbs	12 years – 11 months- watching this weight closely, this may be an indication of another health issue