I have a semi-Dummy filly that we have been tube feeding for two days now. She is just sort of hanging in limbo, not really improving, not really getting worse. She was contracted in her front legs at birth, and has a very domed forehead so she might be hydrocephalic. Her legs have improved. She has a suckle reflex but no attention span. she will only nurse an ounce at a time. She stands and walks but she has some respiratory issues that are getting progressively worse. She is not running a temp and she is well hydrated. She seems a tiny bit brighter this morning but, the vets and I can’t think of anything else to do for her. I was reading about Feeding DMSO on a post, but I had only ever heard of using DMSO IV, and am not even sure if that would be indicated as old as she is. I’ll be talking to the vet this afternoon and I was Just wondering if I should even ask him about the DMSO? Or anything else?
Some HIE ("dummy") foals take a few days to come around, and after that time you won't be able to tell any difference - so be aware that with some, time is a great healer.
DMSO is generally used IV as the aim is to reduce swelling around the brain, and the use of the product orally is probably not going to get the systemic action that is required but which is obtained with IV use. Typically incidentally, DMSO is usually not used until it's pretty serious - for example the foal is undergoing seizures.
Have your vet evaluate the situation - that will probably be of help.
The vets and I have been working on her all weekend, she is doing very well other than that she has no interest in eating, so she is being tube fed. They had a really hard time passing the NG tube on her and I think she is probably irritated in the esophagus. She won't really suck but she chews all the time. Three out of the four vets in the practice have been out to see her, and they just keep telling us to feed her and hope for the best. We are just are trying to figure out if there is any thing else we can do.
Im sorry to her this megan. But glad that she is hanging in there for you - ALL THE BEST (((hugs))) Kim
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