Mare and newborn foal in critical condition come into USERL protection
March 26, 2008:
A mare and newborn foal were found in critical condition when USERL investigators and Animal Control arrived on the property. The mare was down and weak, unable to get up at first but eventually did stand. Obvious signs of her recently giving birth sent investigators searching for a foal. The foal was later found in a ditch down an embankment on the property, very weak, unable to stand. It is believed the foal was born sometime during the previous evening.
The owner signed over the mare and foal and a veterinarian was called to examine and treat them.
A mare and newborn foal were found in critical condition when USERL investigators and Animal Control arrived on the property. The mare was down and weak, unable to get up at first but eventually did stand. Obvious signs of her recently giving birth sent investigators searching for a foal. The foal was later found in a ditch down an embankment on the property, very weak, unable to stand. It is believed the foal was born sometime during the previous evening.
The owner signed over the mare and foal and a veterinarian was called to examine and treat them.
The foal is pictured here, where she was found down an embankment in a ditch.
The emaciated mare was found down, with obvious signs of having recently giving birth.
The veterinarian's exam found the mare and foal both in need of critical care, particularly the foal. They were transported to Neuse River Veterinary Hospital in Wendell, NC where the foal was given intravenous fluids with dextrose, as well as a plasma transfusion for her low antibody results (she did not receive any colostrum from the mare since she was unable to get up). A nasogastric tube was also placed in the foal for feeding as she is too weak to nurse and the mare is producing only a small amount of milk at this time. It is hopeful that the foal can be supported with tube feeding for 24 to 48 hrs. to strengthen her and then place her back with the mare.
The foal rests supported in a sternal position while things are readied for her fluids and transfusion.
Mare and foal were then transported to a USERL rehabilitation farm and settled in. At left, the foal takes a well deserved rest with her first full tummy of milk. She is to be tube fed 150cc's of milk every hour through this first night. Then feed amts. and intervals will be re-evaluated tomorrow depending on how she is doing.
March 27, 2008:
The filly did very well, gaining strength after every feeding. She struggled to stand at every opportunity. The mare was watched carefully as she's been very quiet, and although interested in eating - does not clean up her small meals. She shows some interest in the foal, but is not overly concerned with her at this time - probably due to being separated shortly after birth. However, she is quiet and tolerant so it is hopeful she will accept the foal back and be "mom" again. They are currently stalled with a low partition between them so she can see and smell the foal (Left)
The foal begin standing (assisted up) later in the evening last night, and has stood for longer periods throughout the night. She now has a strong suckling reflex and is much brighter and alert (Right)
The filly did very well, gaining strength after every feeding. She struggled to stand at every opportunity. The mare was watched carefully as she's been very quiet, and although interested in eating - does not clean up her small meals. She shows some interest in the foal, but is not overly concerned with her at this time - probably due to being separated shortly after birth. However, she is quiet and tolerant so it is hopeful she will accept the foal back and be "mom" again. They are currently stalled with a low partition between them so she can see and smell the foal (Left)
The foal begin standing (assisted up) later in the evening last night, and has stood for longer periods throughout the night. She now has a strong suckling reflex and is much brighter and alert (Right)
After standing with help and beginning to walk some wobbly steps, the foal takes a well-deserved nap.
It's amazing that a mare as emaciated as this (BCS 1) could carry a foal full term and successfully give birth. However, the malnutrition has affected an important part of caring for a foal - supplying milk. She, again amazingly, has some milk. But not enough to support the foal. Today, an attempt will be made for the foal to nurse from the mare. If the mare tolerates this well, drug therapy will begin to help her produce more milk. Also, the foal will be tried on a baby bottle to supplement the mare's milk.
Cases like these are expensive to provide for and assistance from the community is always appreciated as it keeps costs low so that other well-deserving horses needing care/shelter can come in. If you would like to donate funds to help with this case's care expenses, or donate generally for any of the horses in USERL's Horse Program, go to www.userlstore.org
Copyright 2007/2008 © United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. All rights reserved.
A special Thank You to the USERL investigators, Animal Control Officers, Veterinarians and their staff for all they did to help this mare and her foal. They now have a second chance and have you to thank for it!
March 28, 2008:
It was a beautiful day to get a bath and feel new again. The mare, now name Queenie, did good for her bath and her tail was cleaned out completely of the birthing fluids. She is also infested with lice, so many of them were removed during the bath. Additional treatments will be applied to get rid of them.
The foal, now named Princess, is doing fairly well, with ups and downs in her condition. She has gained strength and walks alittle steadier. She has severely lax tendons which are impeding her movements but improvements are already being seen. She refuses to take a bottle or pan feed more than a few sips, so that has been a struggle. The nasogastric tube is still her main source of food at this time. Her suckling reflex has improved very much and she is now assisted over to the mare to suckle for a few minutes. The mare, however, still does not have much milk. Her treatments will continue to get her milk production up. The feeding tube will need to be removed tomorrow, so all are anxious for mom to make milk, or for the baby to accept the bottle or pan.
USERL volunteers have been assisting the foster rehab farm with her care and it has been greatly appreciated as it's a 24hr job. Princess's outcome of recovery is still unknown, but thus far she has improved better than expected.
It was a beautiful day to get a bath and feel new again. The mare, now name Queenie, did good for her bath and her tail was cleaned out completely of the birthing fluids. She is also infested with lice, so many of them were removed during the bath. Additional treatments will be applied to get rid of them.
The foal, now named Princess, is doing fairly well, with ups and downs in her condition. She has gained strength and walks alittle steadier. She has severely lax tendons which are impeding her movements but improvements are already being seen. She refuses to take a bottle or pan feed more than a few sips, so that has been a struggle. The nasogastric tube is still her main source of food at this time. Her suckling reflex has improved very much and she is now assisted over to the mare to suckle for a few minutes. The mare, however, still does not have much milk. Her treatments will continue to get her milk production up. The feeding tube will need to be removed tomorrow, so all are anxious for mom to make milk, or for the baby to accept the bottle or pan.
USERL volunteers have been assisting the foster rehab farm with her care and it has been greatly appreciated as it's a 24hr job. Princess's outcome of recovery is still unknown, but thus far she has improved better than expected.
"Queenie" gets a good bath and dries in the sun while grazing.
Above: "Princess" gets around slowly due to lax tendons in her pasterns. They are improving and should correct themselves, but Princess is alittle frustrated that they won't work correctly!
Right: Princess with her nasogastric tube, the only way we can get nutrition in her at this time.
Right: Princess with her nasogastric tube, the only way we can get nutrition in her at this time.
April 1, 2008:
The weekend was up and down. The nasogastric tube was removed Saturday morning. Since Princess did not take to the bottle or the pan feeding well, it was a tense afternoon watching her to see if she'd either get hungry enough to take milk from a bottle or pan, or mom would produce more milk. She'd been nursing mom very well since Thursday morning, mom just didn't have enough there to sustain her. Volunteers were finally able to "fool" her by placing the bottle under the mare while Princess nursed. But she didn't particularly like it compared to mom's, so it took an hour to get 50ml into her (she needed 150ml an hour minimum). It was repeated the following hour as well. By late afternoon, it was noticed that Princess was suckling mom longer without getting frustrated. So plan C went into effect and the foal was assisted to stand every hour Saturday evening and through the night, where she nursed happily and got stronger (mom's milk had began to flow!).
Also on Saturday, a fetlock joint was noticed as being swollen. No heat, no fever - but a worry none the less as septic joints offer a poor prognosis for foals (and horses alike). Volunteers watched her closely for signs of joint infection - but it is hopeful the fetlock joints are strained due to her severely lax tendons.
Sunday morning showed Princess stronger, almost able to get up on her own. By mid-day, she did just that! Following this huge hurdle, Princess has been "on her own" since, doing normal foal behavior. There were some complications with constipation where enemas helped, and she was put onto two strong antibiotics for preventative measures on her joints. She also has infection tracts up her face from the stitches (nasogastric tube), and a small abscess on her hind leg from a small scrape. Her body is hyper-reactive to any injury, so we'll hope the antibiotics help her through this issue.
Princess is being watched closely by the foster farm and helpful volunteers (thank you Kathy Horky, Jackie Dean, Lisa Godwin, Cathy Gould, and many others!!). Below is a set of photos taken this afternoon, her first outing since she "turned the corner". She played, ran, nursed, took a nap - all a foal should be doing at this time. Some issues remain for her to overcome, but she's headed in the right direction!
The weekend was up and down. The nasogastric tube was removed Saturday morning. Since Princess did not take to the bottle or the pan feeding well, it was a tense afternoon watching her to see if she'd either get hungry enough to take milk from a bottle or pan, or mom would produce more milk. She'd been nursing mom very well since Thursday morning, mom just didn't have enough there to sustain her. Volunteers were finally able to "fool" her by placing the bottle under the mare while Princess nursed. But she didn't particularly like it compared to mom's, so it took an hour to get 50ml into her (she needed 150ml an hour minimum). It was repeated the following hour as well. By late afternoon, it was noticed that Princess was suckling mom longer without getting frustrated. So plan C went into effect and the foal was assisted to stand every hour Saturday evening and through the night, where she nursed happily and got stronger (mom's milk had began to flow!).
Also on Saturday, a fetlock joint was noticed as being swollen. No heat, no fever - but a worry none the less as septic joints offer a poor prognosis for foals (and horses alike). Volunteers watched her closely for signs of joint infection - but it is hopeful the fetlock joints are strained due to her severely lax tendons.
Sunday morning showed Princess stronger, almost able to get up on her own. By mid-day, she did just that! Following this huge hurdle, Princess has been "on her own" since, doing normal foal behavior. There were some complications with constipation where enemas helped, and she was put onto two strong antibiotics for preventative measures on her joints. She also has infection tracts up her face from the stitches (nasogastric tube), and a small abscess on her hind leg from a small scrape. Her body is hyper-reactive to any injury, so we'll hope the antibiotics help her through this issue.
Princess is being watched closely by the foster farm and helpful volunteers (thank you Kathy Horky, Jackie Dean, Lisa Godwin, Cathy Gould, and many others!!). Below is a set of photos taken this afternoon, her first outing since she "turned the corner". She played, ran, nursed, took a nap - all a foal should be doing at this time. Some issues remain for her to overcome, but she's headed in the right direction!
"Mom" has also been doing well. It has been difficult to get the calories into her that she needs for milk production due to her state of malnourishment, as well as her lack of a "horse" appetite. A B-12 shot and banamine IV twice a day for any discomfort helped significantly with her appetite. Which, in turn, will help her milk production along with the meds. She is now a very nurturing mother, quite different from the subdued mare that didn't seem to even see her foal that first day.
April 4, 2008:
Queen and Princess are doing very good. Queen continues to produce more milk, and has an appetite now to get the calories needed to provide it. Princess is steadily improving, showing remarkable willpower. Her only obstacles now are the abscesses on her face and the one on her hind leg. She continues on strong antibiotics and, thus far, her swollen fetlocks have remained pain free and absent of signs of joint ill. The abscess on her hind leg, however, is now open and draining. So it is now necessary to bandage it to keep if clean of dirt, etc.
Queen and Princess are doing very good. Queen continues to produce more milk, and has an appetite now to get the calories needed to provide it. Princess is steadily improving, showing remarkable willpower. Her only obstacles now are the abscesses on her face and the one on her hind leg. She continues on strong antibiotics and, thus far, her swollen fetlocks have remained pain free and absent of signs of joint ill. The abscess on her hind leg, however, is now open and draining. So it is now necessary to bandage it to keep if clean of dirt, etc.
Left: Volunteers took on the task of washing Princess's rear. She's had diarrhea (normal foal heat diarrhea), and needs to be cleaned daily with Desitin applied to protect her skin. Princess is quite strong now, both in mind and body, and let them know how she felt about it!
Right: Queen and Princess wander the farm looking for the greenest grass.
Right: Queen and Princess wander the farm looking for the greenest grass.
Left, Above and Right:
Princess's fetlocks are coming up slowly, but definitely showing improvements. She is obviously very happy to be able to get around better - and can now run quite fast!
Princess's fetlocks are coming up slowly, but definitely showing improvements. She is obviously very happy to be able to get around better - and can now run quite fast!
April 10, 2008:
Miracles do happen, and "Queen of Hearts" and "Miracle Princess" have many people to thank for their second chance! So whether you are an Investigator for USERL, a foster farm, a transporter, do farm checks, staff events and booths, fundraise, type reports, pick up donated items, bathe horses, pick stalls, feed hungry mouths, pick up feed and hay, or support USERL financially - you are apart of these wonderful moments below. Enjoy!
Miracles do happen, and "Queen of Hearts" and "Miracle Princess" have many people to thank for their second chance! So whether you are an Investigator for USERL, a foster farm, a transporter, do farm checks, staff events and booths, fundraise, type reports, pick up donated items, bathe horses, pick stalls, feed hungry mouths, pick up feed and hay, or support USERL financially - you are apart of these wonderful moments below. Enjoy!
Spunky!
Fast!
Regal!
Loving...
And sleepy... but recovering and on the road to a brighter future, thanks to you!
April 13, 2008:
Queen and Princess continue to do very well. Princess is still on antibiotics, as her bloodwork showed slight elevation in WBC's. But her abscess on her hind leg is healing very well. And the swollen front fetlock continues to remain the same - no heat, no signs of infections. So it's still believed to be a mechanical issue due to her lax tendons when she was first born. The tendons now have tightened up and she is walking, trotting, cantering upright as she should be (hind legs still have alittle to go). She will be closely monitored for any changes.
Queen is doing very well, but is also still lethargic at times. She is starting to gain weight slowly and eats very good now. Her milk production has been good so far, too. Below are photos of them in the big pasture. Typical "mom and foal", so good to see...
Queen and Princess continue to do very well. Princess is still on antibiotics, as her bloodwork showed slight elevation in WBC's. But her abscess on her hind leg is healing very well. And the swollen front fetlock continues to remain the same - no heat, no signs of infections. So it's still believed to be a mechanical issue due to her lax tendons when she was first born. The tendons now have tightened up and she is walking, trotting, cantering upright as she should be (hind legs still have alittle to go). She will be closely monitored for any changes.
Queen is doing very well, but is also still lethargic at times. She is starting to gain weight slowly and eats very good now. Her milk production has been good so far, too. Below are photos of them in the big pasture. Typical "mom and foal", so good to see...
Princess says, "Thank You!"
April 18, 2008:
Due to Princess's bounding energy and "playtime" attitude....
Due to Princess's bounding energy and "playtime" attitude....
...it was necessary to protect her lower front legs. Her front left fetlock is still "puffy" and appears to be a mechanical issue due to her severely lax tendons at birth. Her tendons are obviously strengthening, but her abundant activity seems to aggravate this problem. So, volunteers had to face wrapping 3 legs with quilts and polo wraps when Princess went out to play (she still has the hind limb wound that must be bandaged) or find an easier alternative.
Triangle Horse Sports discounted a pair of small Professional Horse wraps for Princess to wear when she goes outside (thank you, THS!!!), and voila! Problem solved (and alot of time saved for the volunteers!).
Queen is doing very good this week and continues to be a wonderful "mom".
Princess's wound on the hind leg is healing very well. She's getting stronger and faster as the days pass....
Triangle Horse Sports discounted a pair of small Professional Horse wraps for Princess to wear when she goes outside (thank you, THS!!!), and voila! Problem solved (and alot of time saved for the volunteers!).
Queen is doing very good this week and continues to be a wonderful "mom".
Princess's wound on the hind leg is healing very well. She's getting stronger and faster as the days pass....
Coming Mom....
This is harder than it looks...
Hmmm... These taste interesting...
Are you sure I'm doing this right?
Now what can I get into in here....
April 23, 2008:
More improvements continue for both Queen and Princess.
Queen is gaining weight, slowly but surely. Not an easy thing to do given her current job - milk machine. And Princess continues to blossom. Her lax tendons have improved as expected, the wound on her hind leg is healing very well, and she continues to not show lameness or pain in the swollen fetlock except for when she runs and plays hard. She continues to wear at least the supportive leg wrap on the swollen front fetlock, as well as a bandage on her hind leg to keep proud flesh at bay as that wound heals. She is a very independent filly, wandering off away from mom to explore. Her personality is actually quite feisty, with a turn of the rear end and a kick at the air if she thinks you're up to no good. Then she'll turn right around and come up to you for kisses. Quite the charmer!
More improvements continue for both Queen and Princess.
Queen is gaining weight, slowly but surely. Not an easy thing to do given her current job - milk machine. And Princess continues to blossom. Her lax tendons have improved as expected, the wound on her hind leg is healing very well, and she continues to not show lameness or pain in the swollen fetlock except for when she runs and plays hard. She continues to wear at least the supportive leg wrap on the swollen front fetlock, as well as a bandage on her hind leg to keep proud flesh at bay as that wound heals. She is a very independent filly, wandering off away from mom to explore. Her personality is actually quite feisty, with a turn of the rear end and a kick at the air if she thinks you're up to no good. Then she'll turn right around and come up to you for kisses. Quite the charmer!
Princess runs every chance she gets. I guess she's making up for lost time... The bandage on her hind limb had been removed so the wound could breath for alittle while before re-bandaging it. Princess, being her resourceful self, managed to pull off her support wrap on the front leg during turnout today.
Princess approaches everyone, whether two legs or four. Cats, dogs, kids and other horses have no escape from her inquisitive mind!
One of the current rehab residents on the farm, Cisco, has been watching Princess since she arrived, and finally got to meet her today.
Queen has given up on keeping up with Princess and has resigned herself to watching her while she grazes on the green grass.
May 1, 2008:
The gals are doing very well, with mom gaining weight slowly (150 lbs. thus far) and baby growing quickly (tall and gangly, but still only weighing 149 lbs). The challenge has been to get Queen's weight up while she's lactating, and to supplement the foals diet (as much as possible for her age) due to mom's poorer milk quality. Thus far, it's working as well as it could be expected and their diet's will be monitored closely.
Princess's wound on her right hind leg is completely healed, but her right front fetlock is still puffy. She has not been lame on it, even with removal of treatment - so we are hoping it's still a mechanical issue that will resolve as she grows. More diagnostics may be needed to determine if it's an issue or not.
The gals are doing very well, with mom gaining weight slowly (150 lbs. thus far) and baby growing quickly (tall and gangly, but still only weighing 149 lbs). The challenge has been to get Queen's weight up while she's lactating, and to supplement the foals diet (as much as possible for her age) due to mom's poorer milk quality. Thus far, it's working as well as it could be expected and their diet's will be monitored closely.
Princess's wound on her right hind leg is completely healed, but her right front fetlock is still puffy. She has not been lame on it, even with removal of treatment - so we are hoping it's still a mechanical issue that will resolve as she grows. More diagnostics may be needed to determine if it's an issue or not.
On May 3rd, Barn Day volunteers pampered Queen and Princess. Queen was bathed, brushed and fussed over (she was delighted to indulge them!). Meanwhile, Princess gleefully explored the farm and everything on it under their watchful eyes. Both horses and volunteers thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful Saturday.
May 8, 2008:
Queen and Princess continue to do great! Princess is growing fast and her legs are doing very well. The swollen fetlock is looking much better with just a small amount of swelling left. She continues to live life to the fullest and enjoys the freedom she has around the foster farm. Queen is such a good mother and tirelessly looks for Princess when she disappears out of sight. Such independence can be exasperating for a mother!
Queen and Princess continue to do great! Princess is growing fast and her legs are doing very well. The swollen fetlock is looking much better with just a small amount of swelling left. She continues to live life to the fullest and enjoys the freedom she has around the foster farm. Queen is such a good mother and tirelessly looks for Princess when she disappears out of sight. Such independence can be exasperating for a mother!
