[Bonus Prompt 1] Checkup

Katrina led the local veterinarian to her rescue’s stall, giving her the rundown on her current condition, “...I think she’s also gained weight from her lack of movement, which definitely isn’t helping with her hoof discomfort.”

The older woman, a rather small mouse with big, round glasses and brown fur, nods, “The lack of proper movement is likely putting a little strain on the joints, as well. What are your most immediate concerns?”

The black-furred feline opens the gate, latching it behind them once they enter the barn, “She wasn’t putting weight on her front left hoof. I suspect she has another abscess developing.”

The mouse hums, sliding on a pair of gloves while Katrina opens the stall door, “For how long?”

Katrina grabs the rope halter from the peg on the wall and guides the mouse into the stall with her, “I’m not sure. She arrived yesterday and was already being gentle with the hoof. So, at least a day.”

The vet hums and stands back while Katrina moves deeper into the stall. The black-furred feline makes a few cooing sounds and reaches a paw into her training pouch to retrieve a slice of tasty apple, “Hey there, sweetheart. I’ve got a snack for ya.”

The mare is standing toward the back of the stall, enjoying the light breeze coming in from the open design on the metal fencing. Her eyes darted warily to the mouse standing by the door before focusing on Katrina once more. So far, the horse was proving to be cautious but not hostile. The handler was grateful for that. She worried that she might have to deal with a hot horse on top of everything else.

When she extends her paw, the mare takes the apple slice happily. Her favorite little treat. While she’s crunching, Katrina gently slides the rope halter over her head and ties it in place. Bunching the excess rope of the lead in one paw, she gently guides the loshenka closer to the vet, “Come here, girl. I’d like you to meet my friend. She wants to take a look at that hoof.”

The mare doesn’t move at first, ignoring the gentle clicks of the tongue. However, after a moment, she determines that the pain in her hoof is worse than the potential pain of her handler and her friend, and she takes the necessary steps forward to close the distance.

The mouse squeaks up when the mare comes closer, “Atta girl. I know, I’m new and strange but I’m here to help.” She keeps her tone light. With Katrina holding the lead, she begins her assessment, checking the horse over with light pressure from her fingertips, “We’ll need to get her on a scale to read her actual weight, but you’re right. She’s put on some extra pounds from the lack of movement. It’s not unmanageable yet, but if not addressed, it could become a more serious issue in the future. Hmm, a little swelling in the joints, though I suspect it’s from the same cause.”

Carefully, the mouse checks her teeth and gums, “Her gums look healthy, that’s good. Her teeth have a small amount of buildup, I’d recommend a cleaning before it gets much worse. Overall, she’s not in bad shape.”

Katrina smiles with relief, cooing softly to the mare while she allows the mouse to poke and prod gently, “That’s good to hear.”

With her overall check done, she kneels down to examine the problem hoof. The entire time, the mare has stood with her hoof raised, not putting it down or adding any pressure unless she has to. The vet turns to the hoof so the bottom faces upward and applies a little pressure to it, causing the horse to neigh and shift her weight, “Woah girl. Woah. I get it, it hurts.” Letting the hoof go, she heads to her bag to retrieve some things, “I think I can feel where the pressure is built up. I’m going to cut through the hoof a little to let it drain. I’ll put a boot on her in the meantime.”

Katrina nods, shifting her grip on the lead rope to rub a now free paw along the mare’s nose, murmuring softly to her, “Good girl. You’re doing great.” She turns her attention to the mouse, watching her get to work on the hoof while she keeps the mare calm, “Do you see any reason or cause for why she might be developing these abscess?”

The vet hums, rubbing the mare’s leg once she successfully cuts through the hoof and seeing the liquid draining almost immediately, “Her hooves are a little overgrown and could use a trim, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Honestly, it could come down to neglect. They may have let her hooves go a little too long, causing discomfort and pressure. They may also have had her in some rough terrain, but she doesn’t look like a ranch horse.” She fits the boot to her, providing access for the abscess to drain while allowing the mare to still move about, “A good friend of mine is a farrier, a good one, too. I’ll leave you his card and you can give him a call. I’m curious to see what he might think.”

Katrina nods, “Thank you. I’ll give him a call right away.”

The mouse stands once she’s done, at which point Katrina offers her another two apple slices for doing so well, “If she’ll allow you to, some light walking will be good. Tell him to come out in two or three days, give that hoof time to drain and he can give an assessment.”

Katrina nods, removing the rope halter and offering another piece of apple. “I’ll turn her out for a bit tomorrow and see if I can get her moving around some. She’s reluctant to walk with the hoof problems she has.”

With a final rub to her nose, she leaves the mare in the stall, closing the gate once the pair exit, “Chronic abscess in the hoof. Hm, it could be any number of things, sadly. But I’d like to hear what Giovanni has to say.” She digs a business card from her bag, “Just tell him I gave you his number and I have an interesting case I want him to look at. He’ll be here.”

Katrina smiles, taking the card, “Thank you. I’ll give him a call right now.”