Axel – Spring in his Step and his Tail

Axel has been posturing over all of his pack members as the cooler weather is giving us a glimpse of fall conditions.  We are watching this closely, as Denali seems to get the most focus, followed by Grayson.  Boltz will usually try to block Axel from interacting with Denali, but until the summer season ends, the insect phobia is keeping Boltz on the fringe of pack dynamics.  This is likely why Axel has gained so much confidence, but this is Ely, Minnesota, winter is definitely going to be here sooner than later, that’s a factor we can guarantee. 

Luna – Healing, but watching for decline

With a prognosis of a Spindle Cell Sarcoma, we know that our time with Luna is limited.  The fact is, most canines don’t live long enough in comparisons to their humans.  But, we are realistic that changes can happen quickly, so we need to make each day important for her interactions. Our goal for Luna is to heal the incision, get her on a comfortable routine of feeding, social visits and taking medications to make her comfortable and reunite her with her retired pack mates.  We use the canine stress dictionary to help staff define her behavior.  We have definitely witnessed an increase in displacement behaviors, like branch-chewing and know that stress can impact healing. The photo for the log was taken by Katelyn Schwab, who was assisting in the lab monitoring Luna’s behavior to some ongoing work in the wolf yard. 

Boltz- Changes in Temperature Yield Changes in Attitude

Many across the country are probably ready for fall weather.  Boltz would second that emotion. It has been a hot, buggy summer, but there his hope in the cool night air that extends into the morning wolf checks.  This morning, we had a great visit with Boltz, giving a full body scratch.  There should be a video clip of this in Friday’s  Youtube posting (I am trying to get back to a weekly post). Today, at the Noon Enrichment program, Boltz managed to claim the deer leg Popsicle provided by wolf care staff.  This was a definite change in attitude.  We look forward to the fall season and how Boltz’s lack of concern for flying insects brings his focus back to a place in the male rank order. Thanks to Katelyn Schwab, that was able to find a space at the window during the popular Noon Enrichment program and capture this photo. 

Aidan – Immune Overload

For years, we have known that Aidan has a sensitive immune system.  After Maya died, he lost all the pigmentation in his nose and a tissue biopsy revealed he had discoid lupus.  As he overcame the loss of Maya and welcomed Luna and Boltz to the social group, his symptoms subsided and he attempted to pair-bond with Luna.  Due to Luna’s circumstances, that was challenging at times, but still provided a socially functioning pack.  After the introduction of the 2016 pups and Luna’s behavioral aggression, Aidan had another pack change.  Luna was retired and Aidan bonded with the pups and led the pack on his own. He did a great job, but without the support of the dominant female, stress was noticeable.  By 2017, mast cell tumors formed on Aidan that required 3 surgeries for removal including one in February 2019.  Based on our vet’s experience with dogs, reformation of these growths can be random.  For some they keep coming back until they become a systemic issue, for other cases, 3 surgeries for removal and they don’t reappear.  We didn’t know how Aidan’s growths would progress, but we had a great spring, until Luna’s issue occurred.  On July 6th, Luna and Aidan’s worlds changed.  Luna’s was identified with a possible abscess, so we moved her into her own enclosure while we treated with antibiotics. After limited success with the antibiotics, we scheduled her for surgery on the 17th of July and discovered the more serious diagnosis of cancer.  The decision to separate coincided with a return of Aidan’s mast cell growth.  Just because there was a correlation doesn’t mean causation, but based on his history with auto immune issues after pack changing events, we are working on treating him medically as well as psychologically. After Luna’s incision heals, we plan to reunite the retired pack and give them the social interactions that can keep them distracted as they try to heal their respective issues. 

Grizzer – Changes Making an Impact

Staff have commented on how Grizzer has changed since Luna’s separation.  Certainly having less food competition is always a bonus, especially for a 15-year old wolf with cataracts.  Grizzer is far more social with staff (also a  competition issue when Luna wanted attention), but more notable is Grizzer’s sleeping proximity to Aidan.  The bond between these two individuals remains strong and Grizzer seems to be aware of Aidan’s health issues.  Where younger wolves may see health issues as a weakness, older animals seem to more tolerant.  Maybe there’s some empathy involved (certainly something we are looking forward to studying next summer with Dr. Matheus Silveira and the 2020 pups.)  Grizzer is doing great, he is healthy and having no issues.  He had some issues a few years ago with an ACL injury, but the use of Turmeric seems to be helpful.  He hadn’t had a pain pill or anti-inflammatory in over a year.  We also continue to give him a milk thistle capsule every morning to help with liver functions.  

Luna- Situational Awareness

When working with a wolf that has such a challenging diagnosis, staff must be extremely diligent and be aware of every movement, behavioral actions, change in attitude, feeding preferences and assessment of discomfort and pain.  Staff need to employ a significant amount of creativity to make sure she gets the necessary medications.  She continues to receive two different types of antibiotics, some pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication.  The incision has been challenging as the mass continues to cause her irritation and she’s scratched open a portion of the outer sutures.  The inner sutures are holding and staff are using topical treatments to keep the incision dry and encourage healing.  We have moved her back into the Pack Holding Area and given her access to the Wolf Care Center, but the negative conditioning associated with the surgery recovery has left her reluctant to  come into the building.  Staff left one of her favorite fleece blankets in the building to entice her, but, she chose to move the blanket outside and sleep in the vestibule or her favorite spot is in the den.   A Youtube showing her behavioral activity will be posted later this week and we will connect with Luna as part of our August 14th, Positive Conditioning Webinar. We will definitely need some positive conditioning to overcome Luna’s avoidance from all the medications and procedures surrounding this diagnosis.

Luna – Initial biopsy report

The initial results indicate a spindle cell sarcoma that has a deep root behind her left shoulder blade.  We are waiting for the full biopsy  to understand the full nature of this sarcoma.  Please trust that we are working diligently to get her the medication to help her heal from the surgery and be comfortable as we continue to assess and monitor progression.   Our August 14th Wolf Care Webinar will have more details. 

Posturing over rank continues with Grayson and Axel

There is tension between Grayson and Denali, which started the day the pups were introduced and usually involves food.  While Denali defends much of the food with Grayson, the tables are turning with Boltz being more isolated by the summer heat.  Grayson seems to have found a new opportunity to take possession of items and to show a tail posture well above his back.  Axel and Grayson continue to posture about rank, but it is Grayson that leads the howls in this pack.  When it come to things that cause anxiety, Grayson is facing it and giving a bark howl to let the intruders know that they need to back off.  

Axel continues to be the pack’s most active wolf

Axel and Grayson posture about rank, which Wolf Care staff have seen since the two arrived as pups. We don’t think that will ever stop. Axel is typically the most active wolf in the pack and is often the first to check something out, even in the summer heat that has made its way to Ely.
Tadpoles are now present in the pond and Axel seems to enjoy time in the pond with Grayson.   It is easy to identify Axel, he has completely shed his undercoat, and he is usually the arctic wolf doing a ride-up or mount on any pack mate willing to stand for it.  In this photo, notice Grayson’s hackle response from his neck to his tail.  In the Ethogram, we code this as H1234.  

Food continues to motivate Denali

Denali is still in the Exhibit Pack.  He is noticeably slower but can still give a good chase when food is involved.  He seems to benefit from the body work treatment that Wolf Care staff gives him daily. There is tension between Grayson and Denali, which can often be traced back to food.  Denali defends much of the food with Grayson not always being confident enough to get any, but staff always make sure there is extra food on a daily basis to meet the needs of Grayson and Boltz.  Denali’s next challenge is Axel’s continual testing behavior.  In this week’s photo, you will see a Jaw Spar, with Axel nearly encompassing not only Denali’s jaw, but his entire muzzle.