New Troubles for Clover Bear - Appalachian Bear Rescue

You may recall that Bear #315 Clover, who was admitted in July, had to go to the UT College of Veterinary Medicine in October, after it was noticed that she was limping. X-rays revealed old injuries to both of her front legs, and two toes missing from her right front foot. She was returned to ABR and the Hartley House, to rest and recover while taking her meds. Then, after a couple of weeks she was released back into Wild Enclosure #1, where she seemed to be doing well, playing, wrestling, foraging, and climbing with no apparent problem, but the limp was still noticeable. It didn’t get worse, but it didn’t seem to improve, either.

With release time approaching, the curators decided to take her back to UT, to see if there were any other steps that could be taken to help Clover be ready for release. After all, once she returns to her home in Kentucky there won’t be any vets or curators to keep an eye on her and intervene in case she needs help.

On December 8, 2020, Clover was immobilized and transported to the UTCVM. Her weight was 61 pounds, a gain of 50 pounds since her arrival. A CT scan showed some infection in her right front wrist. She was discharged to return to ABR with prescriptions for meloxicam and antibiotics. A ZOOM conference was held on December 10 and included UT vets, ABR curators, the KY state vet, and a representative of the KY DNR. A lesion on her elbow flexor tendon on her left front leg may have caused her to overcompensate, thus causing the limp. The infection in her right wrist is an injury that is difficult to treat. The vets want to see her again to extract fluid and determine what additional medication is needed to treat it.

The bottom line is that Clover will not be released as soon as planned. She will spend the winter at ABR, and another of the KY cubs may stay also, to keep her company.

As of now, Clover seems to be doing well in Hartley House. Her appetite is good and she plays with the stuffed bears that are there to keep her company for the time being. These photos show the recent events.

Clover Bear was immobilized while the curators worked to get her ready for her trip to UT.

Clover is lifted into the transport carrier.

One of the Cowe sisters rode along, to provide company on the way back.

Clover Bear is back in Hartley House after returning from UT. She sleeps on her bed.

Her old friend, Not Clover, is there to comfort her once again.

We hope that Clover will make a full recovery. It is always distressing to see one of our cubs having health problems of any kind, but we are grateful to the vets at the UTCVM for their care and concern, and for their expertise. We will keep you posted on her progress.