Central Alberta animal rescue helps horse with 'intersex condition'
A central Alberta horse rescue agency is seeking public support to care for an 11-year-old mare that possessed a rare condition.
Bear Valley Rescue, based in Sundre, wrote on its Facebook page that the horse, named Dixie, was surrendered a few months ago.
The group says the owner couldn't handle the horse's behavioural issues and wouldn't be able to pay for spay surgery.
Upon examination, staff with the group discovered something different about Dixie.
"Turns out that Dixie has an intersex condition, and it was found that one of the ovaries was actually a testicle," Bear Valley Rescue wrote. "Both of which (were) successfully removed and with a good prognosis."
Kathy Bartley, who works with Bear Valley Rescue, told CTV News in an email that Dixie's condition is "fairly rare."
"Our veterinarian said she had never seen a horse with no outward signs (she has external female genitalia) but having the internal differences that Dixie has," Bartley said, adding that the veterinarian initially believed the horse had a medical issue with one of her ovaries.
"She was extremely surprised that the ovary, upon removal, had the appearance of a testicle."
While the horse is on the road to recovery, the group says it is still seeking donations to help with Dixie's care.
You can find details on how to help Bear Valley Rescue on its website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump picks Brooke Rollins to be agriculture secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute, to be agriculture secretary.
Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is this unusual?
CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried.
Lotto Max jackpot climbs to $80M, tying record for largest prize
The Lotto Max jackpot has climbed to $80 million for just the second time in Canadian lottery history.
Retiring? Here's how to switch from saving for your golden years to spending
The last paycheque from a decades-long career arrives next Friday and the nest egg you built during those working years will now turn into a main source of income. It can be a jarring switch from saving for retirement to spending in retirement.
Joly, Blair condemn anti-NATO protest in Montreal that saw fires, smashed windows
Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying 'hatred and antisemitism' were on display, but protesters deny the claim, saying they demonstrated against the 'complicity' of NATO member countries in a war that has killed thousands of Palestinians.
Police thought this gnome looked out of place. Then they tested it for drugs
During a recent narcotics investigation, Dutch police said they found a garden gnome made of approximately two kilograms of MDMA.
'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs
A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off.
Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units
Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles -- a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defence secretary -- at a security forum underway in Halifax on Saturday.
Ottawa driver fined for hauling thousands of empty cans in trunk of car
Ontario Provincial Police stopped an Ottawa man for dangerously hauling thousands of empty cans from the back of his car.