Ted - August 20, 2013Lynn’s highlight today was spending time with Ted. He introduced the bear course group to Ted after they had seen more wild bears than any group this year. Ted was his usual friendly self to Lynn, making the high-pitched grunts that say it all and then licking Lynn’s face in the ultimate gesture of bear friendship.
Lynn was checking Ted’s right foot and watching how he used it. Judy Thon and the staff have been giving Ted medicine under the veterinarian’s direction to treat Ted’s cracked footpads and his obviously hurting right front foot. Lynn also wanted to check his reactions to Lucky, but Lucky never came close. Ted was watchful, though, as always.
Here is a summary of Ted’s medical history from Judy Thon in consultation with our veterinarian.
Ted went into hibernation last fall at 670 pounds and came out at 544. He did well and we were glad to see him at a more comfortable weight that would let him walk more easily. He is now at 605 and is on track.
Flushed duckTed is 16 years old, and the veterinarians suspect some arthritis, but he showed no signs of a foot problem coming out of hibernation. That didn’t show up until June 11. The veterinary team prescribed Glyco-flex and the anti-inflammatory drug Deramax. On July 12, the painkiller Tramadol was added. We consulted with other veterinarians. One suggested Adequan injections and possibly laser treatments. Other suggestions included tranquilizing Ted to x-ray his foot and take blood samples. The staff is medicating Ted’s pads twice daily. Everyone loves Ted and wants the best for him.
On the hot day yesterday Ted got in the pond for a while. He usually comes out of his comfortable chalet pen for an hour and a half in the morning and another hour in the afternoon if he wants. Mostly, he wants to stay off his right paw.
A tight fitTed continues to moan and/or go into his chalet den when Lucky lingers outside Ted’s enclosure. Ted is at a big disadvantage against Lucky. Lucky (6) is strong and agile and has sharp teeth. Ted (16) is lame and has short, round canine teeth. Ted is always on the lookout for Lucky, but is getting more confident. When Ted is out and resting on his “preaching log” he sometimes faces the people like he used to rather than facing the woods to look out for Lucky like he has done since Lucky bowled him over and got on top of him last September. Another thing that shows Ted is more confident is that he asks to go out twice on most days now, whereas it was only once or none earlier.
We might try them being out together later this fall after Lucky has slowed down some before hibernation. That could help us judge how to manage them next year.
We are glad the staff is so watchful and caring about Ted, Lucky, and Honey, and especially about Ted with his foot problems.
The big storm last night brought down some big aspen trees that the staff worked at cleaning up today. Somehow, Lucky’s Ducky got washed down the drain and out to the ditch. We all got a chuckle out of it!
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.