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Message |
    
Andrea M
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 11:46 am: | 
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Help I do not know what to do! My 13 day old foal has watery diarrhea. She had bright yellow soft poop at day 5 and then since then has turned to watery light yellow,/brown. She does not have a temperature, and is drinking well and full of energy. Though she is gassy. I am driving the vets crazy with all my concern and questions. But still no help. I have been giving her probiotics and Platinum kaolin paste. Nothing works. Does any body have any experience with lactose intolerant foals? The vets think that since my maiden mare is such a good milker is the reason. I do not. Advice please. I do not want to loose this baby. Thanks so much! |
Joanna
Breeding Stock
Username: Joanna
Post Number: 153
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 12:57 pm: |
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My guess is that she has foal heat scours. The timing is right for her mom to be coming into foal heat, and the scours are common around that time.
What I do is mix 1 tablespoon of peppermint kaopectate with 2 ounces of plain yogurt and give that to the baby two to three times a day till the scours start to clear up, and then I start to wean her off of the mix over a couple of days.
While she has diarrhea, it will need to be cleaned off of her, as the acid in it can burn her skin and will make her hair fall off. Just get warm water and some baby shampoo with a lot of cloth rags. You will need to have a helper hold the baby while you clean her off, as foals usually don't appreciate this part.
Once she is clean, wash of the shampoo with clean water, dry her off, and LIBERALLY spread desitin diaper rash cream all over her rear end, making sure to cover any place that the scours touch.
Make sure that you check her temp at least twice a day, and watch for any change in her attitude If she gets listless, lethargic, etc, or if she starts to run a fever, then you need to call the vet ASAP.
Hope this helps.
Joanna |
Kris Moos
Breeding Stock
Username: Kris
Post Number: 783
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 02:25 pm: |
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mine had diahrea from momsheat as well as from being turned out on grass, i gave him 1/2 cup am and pm of strawberry yogurt (be sure it is the kind with LIVE lactobacillus acidopholus (SP?) ) , fed through an old bute or wormer tube, and every 3-4 days "probios" paste, it took care of it.
also be sure to use destitin origional, the thick paste, not the new easy to wipe cream!!! the purpose is to coat their delicate skin, not to clean it off easy, and keep it clean.
good luck! |
Jos
Board Administrator
Username: Jos
Post Number: 10717
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 03:15 pm: |
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Just to clarify - "foal heat scours" is not related to the mare being in heat, despite the coincidence in timing. It has been clearly deminstrated that orphan foals being fed milk replace typically scour at about the same time. It is thought that the scours are as a result of the foal getting a slightly upset stomach because of having come into contact with a variety of digestive-upsetting agents in the environment. Remember that treating the mare with Ivermectin dewormer just after foaling (within 12 hours) has a positive impact in reducing the "foal heat scours" for some reason.
As to the individual animal under discussion here, I do agree that the timing is about right for the appearance of scours, and that in all probability it will resolve. It is however important to keep momitoring the the foal's temperature and general condition, and also its degree of hydration. If it is scouring too much, you may end up with dehdration, especially in warm climates. Something else to be aware of is if the foal has access to water and is drinking a lot of it. This may result in increased scours, and reduced milk intake. If this is the case, you might want to limit access to water (but again, pay attention to the hydration rate). |
Andrea M
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 2
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 03:21 pm: |
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Thanks so much. I will try yogurt and hope it works. Luckily she does not mind me cleaning her rear...it iches and she appears to like me rubbing her. Desitin sounds good. I'll let you know how it goes. |
Andrea M
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 3
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 03:29 pm: |
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I only saw her drink water once. (I watch her a lot) She prefers the mare. I did use ivermectin about 8 hours after birth. I hope this goes away soon. Lucikly the heat of the weekend subsided. |
Gynna Meiller
Breeding Stock
Username: Jw_kings_excalibur
Post Number: 133
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 02, 2006 - 07:13 am: |
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I de worm with Ivermct. product they day my mares foal and have never had a case of scours yet. I also give Pro Biotics at one and three days old to get their gut flora going good. You may try that as well( very inexpensive)as that is what you are trying to do with the activatated yogourt. Ivermectine products are tested safe for both mares and foals so you use on you foal as well. Watch for dehydration on your foal too. |
Jos
Board Administrator
Username: Jos
Post Number: 10727
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Friday, June 02, 2006 - 01:50 pm: |
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While Ivermectin has been found safe for use in mares, A recent report highlights the dangers of overdosing when using anthelmintics containing ivermectin in young foals. Note that the problem reported upon was related to overdosing, so care must be taken if using Ivermectin in young foals not to overdose. |
Andrea M
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 4
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 05:00 pm: |
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Well, my foal still has diarrha. It stopped for about three days. Now it is back. I started the strawberry yogurt again.
She was running a temp (I think) yesterday. She was out in 84 F for four hours and came in was 102.7. After 1 1/2 hours down to 102.1. Two more hours 101.7. This morning 101.1. Is this normal? |
Jos
Board Administrator
Username: Jos
Post Number: 10753
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 05:10 pm: |
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Elevated temperatures in foals are not good. The temperature is a good indicator of health condition - while this is not a highly elevated temperature (101 is pretty much normal, but over 102 is up - but it may well have been due to the ambient conditions), I would still monitor her closely, and it may be good to touch bases with your vet again. There is a product called "BioSponge" that is excellent for clearing up scours in foals in certain conditions that your vet shold be able to get for you. |
Andrea
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 5
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 05:22 pm: |
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Thanks....I will try BioSponge. I am hoping that she does not have a problem with Anhydrosis. Is this a problem in many foals?
One foal last year (a dark black color as mine is) had this problem. 105.0 degree temp one day. |
Andrea
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 6
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 09:40 am: |
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Well, we still have diarrhea. This is going on 3 weeks. She is only 3 1/ weeks old. She is in good spirits but really getting tired of me washing off her hindend. I am trying lactase. Started it yesterday - 2 pills 3x per day. Added probiotics again as she was caught eating mom's poop. Her temp is 101.5. Ok ...am i doing all I can? Am I doing the right things? The yougurt blew right out of her. She actually seemed to get worse. HELP. |
Beverly Outlaw
Breeding Stock
Username: Outlawpaints
Post Number: 146
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 09:57 am: |
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Andrea,
foals eat moms poop to get the good bacteria flora.. it is perfectly normal... If her temp goes up anymore i would call your vet and see what they suggest...Good Luck. hope your foal gets better soon.. |
Jos
Board Administrator
Username: Jos
Post Number: 10777
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 10:33 am: |
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Get the BioSponge - or something to reduce the outflow - before you run into problems with dehydration. Talk to your vet. |
Andrea
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 7
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 10:43 am: |
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Thanks Beverly and Jos. I am using biosponge too. Unfortunately, my vet does not really have anything to offer other than an ugh when I call. I have called numerous times to discuss her temperature elevation etc. All I get is well if it goes up any more than 102 give her 1 1/2 cc of banamine. I think it is time for a new vet. |
Jos
Board Administrator
Username: Jos
Post Number: 10778
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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Certainly it does sound as though a second opinion is in order...
There has to be a cause, and hopefully it is not pathogenic - use of Banamine will control the temperature (to a degree), but not the pathogen, and my concern is that you end up with a dead foal from neonatal septicaemia, although as it is a long-winded experience, I do agree that it is less likely to be that. There are certainly other pathogens that could be causing issues though, and some in-depth diagnostics are - in my opinion - called for. If you don't have access to another vet, get a referral to your local veterinary teaching university. |
Andrea
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 8
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 11:15 am: |
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Thank you Jos. I will let you know how things go. |
Andrea
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 9
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 11:24 am: |
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Jos, One more thing I need to mention and have not until now. My mare has insulin resistance and foundered last September (minor rotation). I have her on 65 cc of Evitex and 2 pills per day of cyproheptadine. I do not know why I did not mention this earlier, but do you think that these products could be a problem? |
Jos
Board Administrator
Username: Jos
Post Number: 10786
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
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I can't really tell you - check with your veterinarian for known side-effects, as he should have access to the package insert and research if he prescribed the products. |
Heather Cromwell
Neonate
Username: Paxo28
Post Number: 2
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 04:02 pm: |
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We have a mare that all her foals eat sand, I wonder if her milk is to rich , they as a result get screaming runs and spray the walls gates ect, I have to put them on Reinidine(sp?) for 30 days and break the cycle of eating sand and keep them in for a couple days till meds kick in. I can take a sample and put water in the glove with the stool and the sand is thick. Its only this mares babies that do this. |
Andrea
Neonate
Username: Andrea
Post Number: 10
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 12:22 pm: |
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More news on my 3/ 1/2 weeks old fillies diarrhea. I consulted a second opinion and the new vet pulled blood and what came back was abnormal. Her liver enzymes were high, fibrinogen low and hematocrit was low. White count was ok. She is doing an ultrasound on her belly tommorrow and will check her umblical. She thinks it may be a source of infection. I have started taking the mare off Evitex for insulin resistance. I really think that could be a factor. I called the company and they said it clears through the urine. I think it also clears through the mammary glands. I will find out soon enough. The vet thinks antibiotics may be warranted. Have any of you had foals come back with adnormal blood work up? Was infection the reason? How did your foals do on antibiotics? Thanks much! |
Board Admin
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 10062
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 09:14 pm: |
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Infection is/was a very distinct possibility, and is also the #1 killer of neonates. Many respond very favourable to antibiotic therapy. |
