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Discussion on Fetal Viability Tests
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Member:
Brezniak
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Posted on Monday, Mar 29, 2004 - 1:15 pm:
I have a TB mare that has placentitis diagnosed by ultrasound. We decided to run estrogen/progesterone blood levels to ascertain the viability of the fetus. The mare's estrogen level came out borderline. I am wondering what blood levels would be expected if there were twins present instead of a singleton. This mare bagged up prematurely and is huge. Treatment with SMZ's reversed udder development. She had twins on top of each other that did not resolve during her first breeding and was given oxytocin then rebred so I am concerned that they may have been missed this time.
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Member:
Oscarvv
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Posted on Monday, Mar 29, 2004 - 6:15 pm:
How nerve wracking.
How far along is she?
~B
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 30, 2004 - 7:04 am:
As long as the fetus' are viable I think they would be the same Diane as that is not considered a reliable test for twins but do not think anyone has researched the question.
DrO
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Member:
Brezniak
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 30, 2004 - 11:35 pm:
The mare is at day 289 in her pregnancy. I was wondering if there were two placentas, would one see an increased amount of estrogen if both were viable. Then you could ask what if one was very marginal and the other was relatively ok. What would you expect? I haven't asked my vet this yet but I would expect that no one has considered it.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004 - 7:25 am:
You have to take the fact you have 2 placentas but balance it with the fact they are smaller, possibly less viable, and that there is a huge range of normal values, I don't think your low normals rule out twins.
DrO
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Member:
Brezniak
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Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 1:51 am:
To follow up my previous posts, my TB mare gave birth to twin colts about 3 weeks early. She was at a clinic and attended. Both foals were alive and bright but very small. They were born within 10 min of each other without difficulty and the mare passed the placenta in its entirety. After about one day, the smaller one was having complications and was euthanized. The larger foal was able to stand and just reach the udder (mare is big) after 12 hrs. He is now 17 days old and in front leg casts but is doing very well and acting like a typical boy. He walks underneath his dam still but is starting to have to duck a little.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 12:49 pm:
I am so sorry to hear about the lost foal and I hope your information of blood levels of estrogen and twins helps others. On the brighter side it sounds like things are going well with the stronger one, how about posting a picture, I would love to see him.
DrO
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Member:
Brezniak
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Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 1:23 am:
It was sad to lose the little guy, who was not that much smaller than his brother but just not mature enough. The other one is in casts because of no ossification of the bones in his knees. However, after 2 weeks, he is 50% ossified and is pretty straight. He gets stronger every day.
 
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Member:
Brezniak
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Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 11:55 pm:
I am not sure why these pictures came out so small. I'm trying again.
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 7:50 am:
Absolutely lovely, Diane. He's adorable . . . and I love those long white stockings in the front . . . quite flashy  .
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 3, 2004 - 6:22 am:
Very nice Diane,
DrO
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Member:
Brezniak
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 3, 2004 - 3:26 pm:
Thanks. An update that may be of help to others. The colt is nearly one month old now. The cast on his left front was removed over a week ago due to sores and some swelling in the ankle. It is bandaged heavily and is remaining straight. The cast on his right front (worse of two legs) was removed several days ago due to the same reasons but replaced. The xrays of this knee are really amazing starting out nearly all black to now, nearly completely ossified and looking normal. He gets around quite well and can even run and buck although he is still a little weak in the hocks and has some crushing of the bone there.
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