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  Discussion on Possible Placenta Previa/ Red Bag Delivery
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 3, 2002 - 1:36 pm:

We have a friend whose mare had a normal pregnancy and delivered on her due date. Unfortunately, her milk had not changed to white as of the 2 AM check, so they didn't check her again for 4 hours. At 6 o'clock the foal was dry and on the ground. The mare's milk was white. The placenta had been passed, but the red, velvety side was on the outside, not the inside. When lifted into a standing position, the foal was able to stand and walk unassisted, readily find the nipple and nurse, run, buck, and whinny. However, he was not able to rise unassisted. Therefore they had to go out and physically get him up every 40 minutes or so, so he could nurse and run around. After about 18 hours he began to occasionally pop up on his own, by 24 hours he was consistently getting up. He is 48 hours old and is now getting up and down well, running, playing, grooming when scratched and appears completely normal. Have any of you had any experiences with a foal who is unable to rise unassisted, yet seems normal in every other way? No one in our barn has every experienced this before. Could it be related to what might be a red bag delivery? The foal is tiny but very up on his pasterns and appears very strong.
Thanks.

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 3, 2002 - 6:45 pm:

I had a friend that this just happened to. The only difference was her mare went 12 months and had to be induced. The foal had a hard time getting up and needed a lot of help. He ended up nursing and doing well. Then on the third day he went down hill fast. They finally decided to uthanize him for humane purposes. Hope your friend has better luck. Keep us posted.

Posted on Thursday, Apr 4, 2002 - 6:36 am:

Hello Judith,
I am not sure this qualifies as a red bag delivery, though you are right it is usual for the placenta to turn inside out as it is expelled and therefore present the grey fetal side to you. Red bag refers to the fact that instead of the placenta rupturing and the white amniotic membrane presenting first at the vulva the placenta prematurely seperates and presents first. This indicates premature seperation of the placenta. I have seen a placenta or two following normal delivery that was expelled without turning out.

The act of rising after birth depends on a HUGE number of interrelated factors that could briefly be summed up as strength, coordination, and desire. Almost any problem with the foal can interfere with this seemingly simple act so it is not diagnostic for a particular problem but a very good indicator that something was/is wrong. I implore you to get a good professional examination of this foal including IgG and general lab work to be sure everything is getting better as it appears.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 4, 2002 - 8:52 am:

Dear Jeanne and Dr. O,
Thanks for your responses. The colt is now 4 days old and continues to do well and gain in strength/ vigor. He is alert and active and keeps the mare's udder drained. We will encourage follow-up. Thanks for your input re: placental presentation. Jeanne - so sorry re: your friend's loss.
Judy
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