Three cheers for the vets who go above and beyond… *update post 14*

[Tasker]

Our last mare for this year, Lily, had a horrible dystocia last night and I would be remiss to hold back on praising our vet, Dr. Sarah Sprague. While we lost the beautiful black colt, the mare is holding her own and enjoying her breakfast as I am typing this. Sarah was undeterred by the soaking downpour and working by a bizarre combination of headlights & the farm light mounted on the stallion barn on the lawn.

In the 5 hour ‘battle’ to deliver the foal Sarah rallied her fiancé (a scientist, not a horse person), the 2 ‘fresh’ bodies that arrived at midnight from next door, my mom and me. There are no words to describe the horrific sights of the evening but I will carry memories of her poise & determination for as long as I am in horses.

Once we had Lily stabilized and back in her stall, Sarah clicked back into breeding mode and we successfully thawed some of our precious Again & Again semen to breed my mare on her post ovulation insemination. While we wrapped up at 3 AM, I know she is out on calls already this morning.

So that is basically all that needs to be said. Give full honors to those vets who slog through their days (and nights) going above and beyond with full knowledge of what each successful foaling really means.

[camohn]

SO sorry about a horrible foaling. Sarah bred our mare off the back of our trailer in your driveway when I couldn't get a vet here when Rita needed to be inseminated!

[Showsheen]

Hugs to you on your loss, please give the mare a kiss and your vet a hug. I am sure she needs one, too!

[Signature]

So very sorry for your loss. :(

We have a vet that constantly amazes us. She is absolutely incredible also and goes out of her way all the time, long nights and early mornings - we say all the time that we are not sure how she does it. It is a real passion and these people are fantastic.

Sending prayers for your mare and a speedy recovery!

[Ainsley]

So sorry about the loss of your foal :(

I do agree that a great vet is something to treasure. I am fortunate enough to have 2 of the best at my disposal. They are used in 2 completely different capacities at our farm, but I am equally grateful for each of them in their own right.

Hugs to you and your mare and hopefully your vet will not have any emergency calls today and can go home in reasonable time to enjoy a quiet and uneventful evening.

Jennifer

[Home Again Farm]

Tasker, your post is very timely. I am so very sorry about your colt and hope the mama is doing well today.

I understand so very well about your feelings for your wonderful vet. Just last week I learned that my own "super vet" would no longer be praticing in my area. Frankly, it feels like I have had a death in the family. I am so sad. :cry: I think I embarrassed (and flattered) him a bit because, when he told me, I got all teary eyed.

I have known him since he was teenager when he rode with the only good horse vet in the area. He's been my vet since the third year I was breeding. He was the one who helped me figure out Rubi's barreness. He was never threatened when I learned new things that I wanted to try - P&E, micro dose of prostin, etc. He tried so hard to save my beloved Donatella when her colon twisted the day after she had foaled and rode behind me to the vet school to see that we made it safely. I credit him for saving my 2004 orphan. While some thought I should put her down, he was ever hopeful - and his hope was well founded. I always knew that I could call him any time day or night, holiday or not and he would come if I needed him. He baby talked timid mares and gave shots so the babies never knew they'd gotten them. He has taken such pride in every foal born to a mare that he bred for me. He really, really cared and workde so hard, never was impatient, acted tired or seemed in a rush - even when I knew he had to be dead on his feet. I will miss him so much. Here's to Randy Emmons - one in a million!:yes:

[Showsheen]

How is Lily today???????????

[fanfayre]

Tasker;
I'm so sorry for your loss:(
If it weren't for the super-human heroics of my long-time vet, my filly wouldn't be two weeks old, as she was (had?) a dystocia too. It didn't take 5 hours, only about 20 minutes to get her out, but it sure felt like 5hours holding my mare. I guess she felt she had a vested interest in this foal, as she saw my mare when she was only hours old and has watched her grow up and followed her event career.
I also discovered this weekend that my vet took the equine specialist exams in Chicago last fall (well, I knew she took the exams, but wasn't totally sure what for), and of the 8 vets worldwide that challenged it, she received the HIGHEST marks!!!

[Tasker]

How is Lily today???????????

Lily is ok at the moment. Dr. Sarah was here for over 3 hours working on extracting the placenta and while there are still portions being retained, she did get some out. Lily had not 'released' any of it during the foaling process, so it is the tip of both horns that is still anchored. She is eating and drinking she is still very much at risk - lots of antibiotics, flushes and 'work' still to do in order to save her. :sigh: If she pulls through her breeding career is almost certainly over...which is fine as she owes us nothing! We have 2 lovely daughters to carry on in her stead and she can return to her much missed life as a riding horse (fingers crossed).

There are bad mares, there are good mares and then there are the mares that literally lay down before you and beg you to save them - Lily most definitely in the last category. She is sweetness in equine form. :)

[Tasker]

Tasker;
I'm so sorry for your loss:(
If it weren't for the super-human heroics of my long-time vet, my filly wouldn't be two weeks old, as she was (had?) a dystocia too. It didn't take 5 hours, only about 20 minutes to get her out, but it sure felt like 5hours holding my mare. I guess she felt she had a vested interest in this foal, as she saw my mare when she was only hours old and has watched her grow up and followed her event career.
I also discovered this weekend that my vet took the equine specialist exams in Chicago last fall (well, I knew she took the exams, but wasn't totally sure what for), and of the 8 vets worldwide that challenged it, she received the HIGHEST marks!!!

Wow!!!! That is awesome! Congratulations are most definitely in order for your vet, your filly, your mare & you! :)

[Tasker]

HAF - The good ones are worth more than their weight in gold!! :yes: :yes: :D My advance condolences on his retirement, although it sounds like he has earned it!

[Equine Reproduction]

I agree. When you're in the middle of that kind of mess, having a good vet there to help you is beyond priceless! I've always been fortunate to have vets that know when I call, to come IMMEDIATELY. And, they have been phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal... I truly am lucky to have the kind of vets that have been totally dedicated and to know I can rely on them when things are really, really bad.

Dystocias are NEVER pretty. Sorry you had to witness one. It's something I hope no horse breeder/owner ever has to witness. But, I also think that once you witness one, you never miss another foaling if at all possible.

Hope your mare continues to do well! Retained placentas are common in mares that have had a dystocia.

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

[Tasker]

ER - I have gotten many funny looks for camping in the barn round the clock and stories of how much easier foaling cameras are over the past few years, but there is absolutely no way to 'be there' without being there... :sigh: All those nights of listening to rattling buckets and horses that are sure you are there to feed them NOW have paid off in that Lily is still here. Mom & Dad were talking and this is the second really bad dystocia that we've had over the years. A few years ago we had a single leg back and it was resolved without much trouble (thanks again Dr. Sarah) and the filly & mare have gone on to healthy, normal lives. There is a huge difference between a small dystocia and one like last night! :yes: :sigh: :(

We are very fortunate in that Dr. Sarah lives just over a mile away and is dedicated exclusively to reproduction...so much knowledge and enthusiasm right around the corner is something that can not have a dollar amount tallied!!! :) There are a number of vets in the area that are more general practitioners, so we are eternally grateful to have a specialist!

I'm off to go to bed next to Lily's stall - keeping a close eye on her is the least I can do for a few more days.

[Tasker]

Just an update from today - Dr. Sarah was able to extract the rest of the placenta!!!! YAY! So while Lily is not out of the woods, she is headed in the right direction! :)

Please keep the jingles coming for the next few days...all the good wishes have certainly helped thus far! :yes:

Thank you everyone for the moral support! :)

[not again]

Thanks to Tasker, Dr. Sarah, Drew, Dave, and Cheryl, Lily has come along on the road to recovery. She has a large hematoma on her uterus and a torn urethra, but no founder. Her appetite is returning. For the moment the plan is return her to life as a riding horse (she was a very solid and delightful fourth level), as she is 18 and has provided two fabulous fillies, one by Waldaire and one by Dressage Royal.
Lily is a lovely daughter of Again and Again, so she is truly family.
The colt we lost by Dressage Royal was a lovely black with a blaze and elegant socks, but the good news is the mare is surviving.
Thank you all for the jingles. Keep them coming.

[Lesley Feakins]

So sorry to hear of the loss of the foal but pleased that Lily is on the road to recovery.
Sounds like she has great care all around with the Vet and yourselves watching over her.