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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.