Newbie .. need help with twin

[Dance2thebeat]

Newbie here .. long story short .. was told mare was pregnant with twins at 1st US 18days, then 2 weeks later, US no heart beat, non viable twins, will absorb. 3 months later look at Mare, OMG she is big, @ 6 months manual exam, yes pregnant with one baby. April thru July she looks awfully big. Watched all signs, monitored did everything right .. she decides her AM delivery and has twins on Aug 4th .. full term to my calculations. One survives. Baby needs 1:1 care thru the first 36 hours which is not an issue, nurses and we supplement with milk from mom ... nursing on his own by 36 hours. Issue, being a twin he has a contracture on front leg. Started to brace(cast) at 4 days of age to stretch tendon, tolerates well and is doing well today. More stretching for 24 - 72 hours is my plan. Going out for short periods, runs and bucks, happy fella. Taking brace off 2 -4 hours yesterday and today. A little floppy but stronger and tendon slightly tight but can stretch. Well, tonight I am confused, as his other front leg tendon looks tight and contracted (non issue before) So I wrapped that leg tonight. Would like to hear from those with similar issues, also reading about rejuvenate, is this something I should try? Suggestions, thoughts .. I can try to post pictures later if requested. Other than this he is doig great.

[VirginiaBred]

Rejuvenaide is excellent. Definitely try it. Wrap both legs.

[Dance2thebeat]

Thank you ... clarification, when I wrap, using splint that goes to just below shoulder, should I wrap the same? 2 front legs in splints? Just went out to see him, he is happy running around after casting new side.:yes:

[Dance2thebeat]

Where can I get this rejuvenaide ... valley vet? other catalogs? I google and get the human dose

[YankeeLawyer]

Where can I get this rejuvenaide ... valley vet? other catalogs? I google and get the human dose

It is from Progressive Nutrition. You can order it online. It comes in liquid, paste, and powder versions.

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

Didn't anyone recommend Oxytet when the foal was first born?

[Dance2thebeat]

No the vet did not suggest anything ... my medical background in human beings is driving me to care for him .. common sense. I have suggested what I have read and seen here on COTH .. (you know those MD's (human and animal) have huge egos':lol:)
Tell me specifically what needs to be done ... if it makes sense I will do it. Tks:winkgrin:

[Quinn]

Absolutely second Rejunvenaide or Buckeye Foal Aid. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[YankeeLawyer]

No the vet did not suggest anything ... my medical background in human beings is driving me to care for him .. common sense. I have suggested what I have read and seen here on COTH .. (you know those MD's (human and animal) have huge egos':lol:)
Tell me specifically what nees to be done ... if it makes sense I will do it. Tks:winkgrin:

Okay, well one option if done sufficiently early is to treat the foal with oxytetracycline (up to 3 doses), but it must be done soon after birth - during the first week, I believe, to be effective. Some people prefer to forego the oxytet and take their chances that the foal's contracture will relax naturally, as foals often do sort themselves out. And some prefer using rejuvenaide to oxytet, so don't panic.

At this point, I absolutely would go ahead with the rejuvenaide; it can't hurt and likely will help. Rejuvenaide is also given to promote healthy limb development anyway, so really you can't go wrong there.

WRT the wrapping, are you confident that you are doing it correctly? My vet uses a combo of oxytet and wrapping; the wrapping, if done correctly, REALLY helps. I personally would have a vet handle that part unless you are ace at therapeutic wrapping of foals.

[Edgewood]

Okay, well one option if done sufficiently early is to treat the foal with oxytetracycline (up to 3 doses), but it must be done soon after birth - during the first week, I believe, to be effective. Some people prefer to forego the oxytet and take their chances that the foal's contracture will relax naturally, as foals often do sort themselves out. And some prefer using rejuvenaide to oxytet, so don't panic.

At this point, I absolutely would go ahead with the rejuvenaide; it can't hurt and likely will help. Rejuvenaide is also given to promote healthy limb development anyway, so really you can't go wrong there.

WRT the wrapping, are you confident that you are doing it correctly? My vet uses a combo of oxytet and wrapping; the wrapping, if done correctly, REALLY helps. I personally would have a vet handle that part unless you are ace at therapeutic wrapping of foals.

This is good advice. Both the Rejuvenaid and oxytetracycline would help. I have given oxytetracycline at 10 days to 3 weeks (3 doses every 4 days) and it was still effective. You usually see results overnight. Some people worry about side effects (renal issues I believe) of oxytetracycline, but they are rare.

I am so sorry about your lost foal and hope that you can pull your other foal through okay.

And for future reference, it is best to ultrasound for twins at 13-15 days, that way they are still moving around the uterus and the vet can pinch one (hopefully). By day 16 they attach and if they are next to each other, you cannot pinch one (and the extra necrotic tissue from the dying embryo doesn't help). I would have been slightly upset with my vet for having delayed the u/s until day 18. And although you re-u/s at day 32, I would have done it again (before day 35 if possible, by day 50 if not) to confirm that there were not 2 heartbeats. Hopefully future breedings will go more smoothly!

[Dance2thebeat]

He is 1 week old today .. so I will go with the rejuvenaide .. and I will ask about the oxytet just for knowledge.

I believe I am wrapping correctly, to just below his shoulder to stretch tendons. Well padded, wrap in the correct direction. He is walking very contently. I left enough room so that his hoof flexes and pulls the tendon. I can do manually and no pain, very cooperative in all of this. I am not the guru but feel confident, will monitor and watch, make necessary adjustments.

[Sugarbrook]

Oh WOW. I have no suggestions (wish I did) as the only one I had with problems over the past 25 yrs was one with contracted tendons.

I wish you well, and it sounds like you are on board and doing what you need to do. Please keep us updated

[YankeeLawyer]

He is 1 week old today .. so I will go with the rejuvenaide .. and I will ask about the oxytet just for knowledge.

I believe I am wrapping correctly, to just below his shoulder to stretch tendons. Well padded, wrap in the correct direction. He is walking very contently. I left enough room so that his hoof flexes and pulls the tendon. I can do manually and no pain, very cooperative in all of this. I am not the guru but feel confident, will monitor and watch, make necessary adjustments.


Do ask the vet about oxytet ASAP in case there is still time to use it.

[Dance2thebeat]

we did have him on Pcn for the first 3 days, on day 4 I questioned a septic joint as I didn't like what I saw for position and joint looked large, no heat though .. changed to a broad spectrum antbx, tagamet, and pepto bismol for taste. WBC is normal, HCT is normal, he is peeing and pooping. Now playing with water and nibbling hay along with nursing

[Dance2thebeat]

I have left a message regarding these recommendations for the vet and I will follow up with a call in the AM. I will let respond to COTH after I hear from them ... I have learned so much from this site ... you guys are great .. thank you

[sfstable]

Sounds like you are getting good advice so nothing new to offer.

But, congratulations on your surviving twin and good luck. :) Same thing happened to me this year -- I have one surviving pony twin. My twins were missed on several ultrasounds (a first for my vet who is actually very good).

[Signature]

According to our vet you can do oxytet any time but it's really going to have the most dramatic effect in the first couple days. After that the response may be limited but should still help some - but yes, now is the best time to do it if he needs it. Good luck!! :)

[Dance2thebeat]

Update .. with casting his other leg yesterday, he is much happier and his affected side is strong, no floppy limb, nice position and stands correctly. His casted other side is stronger today ( I think he over compensated with what all the casting we did initially). Plan for rejunaide as soon as it arrives, and (keep fingers crossed) no casting tomorrow at all with 12 hours outside (we will monitor, if we need to change plans we will)