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  Discussion on Ill Pregnant Mar
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New Member:
Overos

Posted on Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 - 11:37 pm:

Hope someone has an idea....Here are the facts.
2 weeks ago bought a 15 yr.old TB mare due to foal 3/7/04. She travelled about 3 hours from Canada to Seattle area. No interest in feed or water(contacted previous owners and she had been on alfalfa and oats). Very little interest in fresh grass. No temperature. Vet came out, pumped her with mineral oil/water, listened to her gut sounds (yes had them), looked at her teeth, proded her throat to see if sore. Did not do a rectal. I had noticed she only defecated about 1/2 the normal amount of manure and it had noticeable mucus on it (was not hard/dry). The vet left me with some Neighlox and banamine and said to give her some electrolytes (did). After vet left, I bought some sterling pellets, and soaked them until it was 'soup.' She ate the soup and nibbled on some alfalfa. The next day the mineral oil came through, but she still said no water and little food, please. She had good gut sounds. This went on for 2 days (eating soup) and vet returned and took blood. He called to say she had a bacterial infection. Started giving her 33 cc Gentocin daily and 20 cc Penicillian 2 X day. Did this for 5 days. All along have been feeding her 'soup.' Her manure became loose, but still 1/2 quantity of normal manure. During the time she was on the antibiotics, she still did not want to eat a normal sized meal and did not want to drink (probably because of the liquid in the 'soup'). I did not give her any oats or other grains during this time. She has looked 'alert' the entire time..gums ok. Yesterday and today, I just gave her alfalfa and a small quantity of oats. she finishes her oats, and nibbles her alfalfa, but just doesn't care about her food or water. During the day,she is out on some grass and in a stall at night. Next move?? Take her to get ultra sounded for enteroliths, or wait? Any suggestions?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Feb 16, 2004 - 7:20 am:

If she is producing stools regularly at a rate that seems in line with the amount she is eating and there are no regular signs of colic I am not sure pursing a enterolith is your best next step. Then again I can't say she doesn't have one either.

What exactly were the blood results that indicated a bacterial infection in the face of a normal rectal temperature and a alert demeanor? She may be having trouble adjusting and I assure you her neck is now sore from the penicillin making eating difficult.
DrO
Member:
Overos

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004 - 10:15 am:

I believe my veterinarian said she had a '1' white count (?). In any case, yesterday, (after all the antibio shots) he came and took blood again and as soon as I hear from him, I'll be more specific. He said to maybe try to put her with a buddy. During last night, she did drink almost 1/2 bucket (5 gallon bucket)of water. This is the most she has drank since she arrived. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'll let you know of blood results. Thanks for your time and knowledge.
Janet
Member:
Overos

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004 - 1:23 pm:

Hello, Dr. O....
Just spoke with my vet....Her polynutrifils are 7500 (normal 'high' is 6700?). Her Lymphasites are 1200 (normal is 1500?). White cells at 9200 (s/b 5500 - 12000?). Vet suggested:
1. Put her with a buddy
2. Could do Ultrasound & gastriscope?

It would not dumbfound me so if she looked distressed or lethargic. She never runs around, but has a good alert look. When the blood was drawn it was cold and rainy (in Washington it usually is, though).

When she first came, she showed no interest in grain/hay, etc. Now she is showing more interest in her grain, but picks at alfalfa.

Any clues...further suggestions??

Many thanks
Janet
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 - 7:26 am:

Were there any bands in the neutrophil count? These results are not that odd and stress could account for this result assuming there were no or very few bands. It sounds like she is feeling a little better.
DrO
Member:
Overos

Posted on Saturday, Feb 21, 2004 - 2:54 pm:

Well......Here is the latest, Dr. O...No bands. Took her to hospital for endoscope, stomach tap and ultra sound. Ended up only doing the endoscope as it showed an ulcer. Vet did not think it necessary to do ultrasound or tap. Vet prescribed 30 days of gastro gard. Yep, bought all 30 tubes. I noticed on the brochure packed inside Gastro gard that it has not been proven for prenant mares. I asked the vet about this and she said it would be fine. I'm going to start her on this tonight; however, I'm a little baffled about her diet. Yes, she is already on alfalfa. I need to know the pellets/grain/oats that will least create acid in her stomach. What about fatty foods, i.e., rice bran or adding corn oil to her feed. She will foal in one month and I don't know if giving her so much protein is good for the foal? Last night I gave her soaked sterling pellets, vitamins and alfalfa. She currently weighs 1245 lbs. Some say no oats, others say oats are fine with the ulcers. Please give me some advice for ulcer feeding with a foal on the way.
All of your input has been very helpful and is appreciated.

Regards,
Janet
Member:
Christos

Posted on Sunday, Feb 22, 2004 - 4:19 am:

Janet,
horses create gastric acids all the time, wether their stomach contains food or not. So I think that feeding little and often, possibly grazing all day long if weight is not a problem, will help her the best with ulcers.
I do not know how much different feeds affect the stomach's acidity, except that soaked feed will somehow dilute acid (or so I believe).
Overdiluting gastric fluids, however, may disturb digestion further down the intestinal track. I wouldn't experiment too much, especially since she is already on ulcer medication.

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Feb 22, 2004 - 8:47 am:

Hmmm, I don't know Janet the blod work was not very supportive of infection and the finding of ulcers on the endoscopy is pretty normal and frequently not associated with clinical problem. Then on the other hand it is something to do and if this is causing trouble this is the only way to make things better. I think you feed this mare for the pregnancy Janet and let the omeprazole take care of the ulcers. The alfalfa is a good choice for both. We have articles on both gastric ulcers and caring for pregnant mares. Anything you can do to reduce stress, ie let her graze as much as possible, would be helpful.
DrO
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