Dysmature foal - temperature regulation and ulcers....

[rideagoldenpony]

The Reader's Digest version is that Saturday morning I had a mare foal while I was away. I rushed home and was there within a few hours of the foal being discovered (and she'd been found a few hours after birth, I think). She was unable to walk due to extremely contracted tendons, particularly in the back, where she would "knuckle over".

Called the vet while I was speeding home, and we administered tetracycline, which ended up helping. The next day she had a low IGG, so she was given plasma.

The NEXT day, (Monday) she got very chilled overnight. I didn't realize she was having temperature regulation issues, and had been getting up with her all night to get her on the mare, but at 7 am she was very cold, with a temp of 95.2. We got her warmed up, but ever since then I've had to give her a bottle.

I'm feeding her (milking the mare, feeding her from a bottle) approximately every hour between 6 am and midnight, and setting the alarm for every two hours in the intervening time (which means she's getting fed about every 1 1/2 hours between midnight at 6 am).

Yesterday I realized that she was grinding her teeth. Called the vet, who prescribed ranitidine in a liquid form. She's had three doses of that now, but I don't see any improvement. In fact the ulcer pain seems to be interfering with her eating a full amount at each feeding. Once she starts the teeth grinding she is pretty much done nursing at that point.

I asked the vet about giving her Ulcer Guard instead, but she said that it wasn't safe for foals. I *thought* I'd read of foals here on this forum that had gotten it. Any input on that?

Also.... the temp regulation seems to be a biggie right now. We're having much cooler than normal temps here in our part of Oregon, so she's blanketed and there's a heat lamp in the stall. She'll be a week old tomorrow. The concern is that she still has not gotten the temperature regulation sorted out. Any experience with that and how long it takes to get sorted out, or could take? This alarms me, and obviously there's so little to do about it.....

[TKR]

I can't offer any suggestions -- you sound like you are all over every issue -- but my heart goes out to you and the foal and her dam. I am certainly jingling and praying for her to sort it all out. Maybe you could call the manufacturer of Ulcer Gard or check their website for information regarding new foals. Or maybe someone knows of another medication that could be tried. All the best to you -- I'm sure you are stressed to the max -- wishing you the best!
PennyG

[Laurierace]

I had a newborn foal on gastroguard/ulcerguard without incident. I also use it for a few days after weaning but they are obviously older then. I wish you the best of luck, I hope it all works out ok. Jingling like crazy!

[bugsynskeeter]

We give UG/GG to foals at the time at the clinic I work at. We also use Carafate/Sucralfate alot to. We tend not to use Ranitidine (unless we use the IV form in refluxing foals).

[genevieveg17]

I have had 2 day old foals on GastroGuard before. One was at UC Davis at 24 hrs. with colic like symptoms. He was started on GG and remained on it for 7 days.
Jingles for your little one.

[Sugarbrook]

OH MY, I have been waiting for an update on your little one. I have no advice but wish I did. Sounds like it belongs in a facility of some sort, but did read on your other posts that that was not a possibility.

[cottagefarm]

Hi Gretchen

not sure about the Gastroguard forsure but Know some people that have used it successfully on young foals.
What about some sought of immume booster or probiotic?

[Molly Malone]

I had a two day old on 1cm of paste daily (as per vet instruction). Maybe 8 days? stopped teeth grinding almost immediately. First two tries went up the walls, too.

[rideagoldenpony]

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate your posts and PMs.

Are Gastro Guard and Ulcer Guard just two different brand names for the same thing?

I tried to get probiotics at the local feed store today, after I called and they said they had them, I drove down there -- only to discover that the nitwit on the phone had no idea what she was talking about and they definitely didn't have what I needed. I'll have to send someone to the real feed store (minimum of an hour round trip) tomorrow to pick some up, as I definitely can't get away for that long myself.

Heard from the vet -- all the bloodwork came back OK. It showed her as a little dehydrated, but we gave her fluid by IV after blood was pulled.

Interestingly I had stepped out of the stall for a minute and went back in and found her nursing for a moment on the mare. She didn't get more than a few sips, but hey! Progress! Then a little while ago I was trying to get something cooked for dinner here and was watching her on the camera, and at least from where she was it LOOKED like she was nursing -- even if she was only trying, I'm super pleased to see that!

[KnRponies]

A tube of Ulcergard and a tube of Gastrogard contain exactly the same strength and amount of omeprazole. The difference is in the dosing lines on the side of the tube.

[kealea31]

I have also seen gastrogaurd used on foals. You also could try papaya juice. You can order it online. I just buy papaya's and make the juice when my mare needs it. I know breeders around here that mix it with ranitidine when syringing young foals. Give about 10 cc's with meds. Also platinum performance has amazing products for sick foals. They have an immune supplement and neonate formula that may help. Hope she improves quickly:)

[VirginiaBred]

Gretchen, for the legs use Rejuvenaide. Works wonders and is full of vitamins and minerals.

http://www.prognutrition.com/rejuvenaidepastefoal.html

[bugsynskeeter]

UG and GG are the exact same thing. UG is simply split into 4 1/4 tube doses whereas GG is divided into 250# doses. Each notch on the tubes is a 50# dose.

If she is still weak and nursing, monitor her closely for aspiration. The last thing she needs is aspiration pneumonia.

[rideagoldenpony]

Thanks everyone for your posts.

I got an e-mail last night from my vet at 11:30 pm to add Maalox to her regimin, and I was able to drive to a truck stop over at the freeway that was open all night and find some. That seems to have helped a LOT. She also got a TINY bit of banamine, and had an awesome day.

The bad news is that the vet called me tonight and said that Friday's bloodwork showed an IGG of.... 278 (or something like that), and that she will need plasma again. I'm petrified that she's going to get sick now -- now that she finally seems to be doing so much better. Vet will be here tomorrow afternoon to give her more plasma. It gives me a stomach ache thinking about it. I just want this filly to be OK.... sigh.....

[Sunnydays]

I'm sure you must be a wreck over this! But you are doing a wonderful job caring for your foal, and it sounds as if she is developing a spark. As bugsnskeeter suggested, be careful feeding - not too much milk at one sitting, and the foal upright, or on her brisket, as you do not want her to aspirate or overeat.

[VirginiaBred]

Keep your chin up. You are doing so well!

[showjumpers66]

We ran into the ulcer problem with Junior and did initially put him on Gastrogard. His ulcers worsened. Our vet mentioned that there had been a study in Kentucky with Gastrogard and foals. They found that foals actually worsened on it, but responded to Sucralfate. Junior responded almost immediately to the medication change and is still on the Sucralfate.

Jingling like crazy for your foal!

[Lesley Feakins]

Gretchen...jingling for your filly. She is lucky to have you to care for her. Hang in there and try to grab some sleep when you can.

[Sugarbrook]

Checking in again this am to see about your filly. I have her on my mind and am wishing YOU and this precious filly all good thoughts.

[rcloisonne]

Gastrogard is approved for foals 4 weeks old and up. While I understand why tetracycline was given, it has been implicated in causing ulcers in equines and it almost always causes GI distress. If this were my foal, I'd get her started on Gastrogard (prescription) or Ulcergard (nonprescription) ASAP. Maalox will treat symptoms if given often enough but will not heal the ulcers.

GASTROGARD Paste for horses is recommended for use in horses and foals 4 weeks of age and older.

http://www.drugs.com/vet/gastrogard.html

[hansiska]

When my sister's dysmature colt was at Cornell, he was on Pepcid AC (Famotidine). He had one chewable pill AM and PM. This was to avoid ulcers, and on the advice of the team of vets there.

Jingles to you and your filly. The dysmature ones take a while, but they can turn around for you.

[rideagoldenpony]

She has really turned a corner!

She's maintaining her temperature with no problem. She's mostly getting up on her own with minimal problem -- AND BEST OF ALL, she's nursing on the mare!!!!!!!!!!! I'm still offering her a bottle regularly, and she's drinking it sometimes, but I am feeling pretty confident that she is on the mend. She has noticably gained weight, also. She was just a little wrack of bones, and while she's still a far cry from "fat", she looks SO much better.

She had plasma this morning, and will get more tomorrow, just to be on the safe side. She's on antibiotics for the next 6 days "just in case", but I am feeling so, so relieved right now with how well she is doing. She's even been running laps in the stall periodically. A few days ago that was about as unlikely as me flapping my arms and flying to the moon.

Here's a cell phone picture of her sleeping in my daughter's lap a little while ago. She's 8 days old today -- and it has been a LONG 8 days!!!

[quicksilverponies]

So happy for the good news Gretchen. Hang in there! Good thoughts coming your way!

[Sugarbrook]

Getting ready for bed, but you also made my evening. Keep up the good work and I will keep up the very very best healing thoughts. Please update us, you know we care.

[VirginiaBred]

Whew!!!

[showjumpers66]

Great news!

[Home Again Farm]

That is super news!!! Hurray!!!! :D:D:D:D:D