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Discussion on Newborn Foal Raspy breathing and Goopy eyes
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Member:
mydanes
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2009 - 10:45 pm:
My vet has me giving her Pen and if no better tomorrow to give Pen and Dex
I am so worried. I have never had a full term foal with these symptoms - She is big and strong don't know what would cause this. I was present for delivery at 3:45 pm today (April 8, 2009) She was a Very nice big foal (I had to give a little help as mom was having trouble getting her past the shoulders. ONce the shoulders passed we were home free.
Please advise. 
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Member:
mydanes
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2009 - 11:13 pm:
I forgot to mention that when she nurses it sure sounds like abnormal sounds - I can't describe it very well but it is as though she is going to choke.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2009 - 11:55 pm:
Susan, did I miss the first part of your post somewhere? Or was the raspy breathing and goopey eyes teh entire thing?
Do you have a stethascope? If so, can you listen to the lungs when she breathes, and do you hear raspiness or crackles? Are her other vital signs o.k.? When she suckles, is she actually swallowing the milk? If everything else is o.k., it's possible that she just has a little fluid in her nose. I've had foals make some weird noise when suckling. However, if you are the least bit concerned, go with your gut and call out the vet. Foals can change very quickly for the bad. What did the vet say when he saw her?
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Member:
mydanes
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 12:18 am:
Sara,
Thank you for writing - I am so worried. She seems strong - she definitely 'intermittently' makes some horrid sounds when suckling. I do 'not' have a stethoscope. Everything else does seem fine. Her respirations appear normal. I have seen premi foals that are breathing like a freight train - she is not. When she is up she plays and bounces and seems completely normal. I mentioned she was stuck and needed a little help getting her shoulders out. Could this be a little fluid from being in the birth canal too long???? I am praying I don't lose this beautiful girl! My vet did not come out - I called her and she stated I should give her 4cc pen and then tomorrow if she still sounds the same to give her Pen and Dex.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 12:24 am:
don't mess around have a vet out there right away.. things can change quickly with a new born..
On the first day God created horse, on the second day he painted them with spots.
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Member:
mydanes
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 12:53 am:
Ann,
Thanks I have called the vet and that is what they have me doing - I will insist on a vet here in the a.m. if I see no improvement. P.s. You would love this filly - she is a Friesian Sport Horse  I imported my Friesian from overseas with the intent on Friesian sport horses - preferably with spots
Susan
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 1:18 am:
My gal friend breeds Friesian sport horses.. she has just foaled out two this past few weeks.. She has different breed mares that she breeds to her Dutch/Friesian stallion.. Pinto color..
Are you taking temps.. ? anytime i hear a gurgle i call the vet out NOW..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
36541
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 8:58 am:
I would have my vet out STAT for a newborn with any abnormality, especially if I didn't have a stethoscope!! If my vet couldn't make it happen, I'd trailer to them or get a new vet!! Just my sadly experienced opinion - best of luck with this beauty. Stacy
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 9:05 am:
Hello Susan,
What was the veterinarian's diagnosis of the cause of the abnormal sounds? Yes it certainly possible that the foal inhaled fluids at birth but that is not a diagnosis just a supposition.
The abnormal nursing noises concerns me but not knowing the nature of the sounds I cannot begin to contemplate, did the veterinarian comment on these or feel further investigation of the foal's mouth and pharynx indicated?
DrO
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 10:17 am:
Susan, as everyone else stated, if I was concerned about a foal, I'd get the vet out now. If she can't/won't make it out, I'd find another vet. If you live where that isn't a possibility, I'd keep her on the antibiotics and get the vet out asap. However, antibiotics can be hard on a foal's new digestive system. Are you giving the meds via shots or orally? If orally, I'd also give her some gastroguard. You did all the other "normal" things, right? Like treating the navel, etc.? Can you beg, borrow or steal a stethascope? Do you know how to do temps and other vital signs? I'd really keep a close eye on her and keep track of all her vitals on a regular basis. The fact that she's acting normal is very good. However, I have had foals go from bouncing to being in intensive care in less than 24 hrs. I don't want to frighten you or make you more nervous (just what you DON'T need!) but just make you aware. Maybe you've had lots of foals and know all this, but none of us know your experience level. Just stay on top of this; keep us posted. I wish you well! Foaling is stressful enough without problems attached!
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Member:
mydanes
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 10:23 am:
I called my vet back and begged him to come - he said he would swing by on his lunch break and give the foal some lacix(Spelling?)
so I will let you guys know what the official diagnosis is when he arrives!! Thank you everyone and Dr. O for the help! I immediately came to horseadvice.com when I heard this because I knew I would get good advice.
I am just praying that everything is alright! I am happy to say she is up, nursing, she even bucked this morning and was quite the handful to get ahold of - I felt that was good signs!
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Member:
mydanes
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 10:27 am:
Sara - when she arrived I used Iodine on her naval and all 4 hooves and then repeated that about 10 minutes later and about an hour later.
I also gave her an enema (the throw away kind single use)
within about 5 minutes of arrival she passed her meconium (spelling?)
i also gave her some 'foal mate' which is a tube of stuff the feed store sold me to give her a little boost of energy and supposedly help her absorb moms colostrum (it was oral almost like a paste wormer)
I dried her off rigorously and I have a blanket on her and she has a heat lamp.
can you tell me what should her temp be and what should her breathing respirations be (I assume I can use a second hand and count the breaths I see her 'side' make?)
Thanks again to all of you!!!
YOU have no idea what it means.
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Member:
jjrichar
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 2:37 pm:
I am so glad to hear you are getting your vet out TODAY. Waiting until morning could be too late. If he doesn't give you a good diagnosis or isn't taking the 'gurgling' seriously I would get another opinion or take her to your nearest equine hospital. It does not take long for a foal to go from playing and nursing to getting down and becoming critical.
I am not sure what normal foal temp is but normal equine temp is usually around 100.8 but can vary from 99 to 101 and depends on the climate and level of activity. See Dr. O's article for more. https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/15453/15821.html
Also, I am not sure if the antibiotics are being given via injection or orally, but if giving injections, use care with Pen and the location of the injection. It can make babies necks too sore and they will quit nursing. We always give babies shots in the buttocks, alternating sites.
Good luck to you and please let us know what your vet says. *baby horsie hugs*
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - 5:21 pm:
Sorry, I wasn't by my computer. By now you've probably read the above information. I usually kept track of a foal's vitals the first week of their life because so much can change so fast. Knowing what is "normal" for a particular animals helps. Anything out of the normal range for that animal and I would get nervous.
Good advice regarding the injections. She sure is a cute little filly; looks like she's really go the legs. I hope all goes well.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Apr 10, 2009 - 7:01 am:
The article Jennifer addresses above is best for assessing horses older than weanlings. The best article for assessing newborn foals is at Equine Reproduction » Pregnancy, Foaling, & Neonatal Care » Care of the Newborn Foal and Mare. It discusses the wide range of normal in foals and birth and how by monitoring overtime you can best decide how a newborn is doing.
DrO
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