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Discussion on Lethargic foal
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New Member:
Crobin
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 5, 2005 - 5:06 pm:
I had 5 foals born this Spring, and all are healthy except one, who I noticed was lethargic on Day 4. He nursed and was responsive but didn't frolic and seemed tired alot. He grew, but not as fast as other foals. At week 3 I noticed golf-ball-size abscess on right chest, which interfered with leg movement and breathing. Abscess was lanced and healed nicely, movement and breathing returned to normal, and he seemed perkier. Culture showed strep infection, but not strangles. I mentioned lethargy but vet said foal looked normal. He said antibiotics not needed because infection was encapsulated. Foal's energy level declined gradually. Frequently found him in pasture asleep, some distance from herd, had to coax him to get up. Week 7 another vet prescribed 4 days of Penn-G, 5cc/day. I noticed improvement in energy level immediately, but now (Week 9) he often sleeps in pasture while herd comes to barn for feeding, and I have to wave my arms and make noise to get him up. He eats Mare & Foal pellets w/apparent good appetite, and seems to nurse normally, and is growing. But he still just doesn't seem to feel good. Any suggestions on my next step? Do I need a blood chemistry work-up? More antibiotics? Am I imagining things?
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Member:
Chohler
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Posted on Monday, Jun 6, 2005 - 1:47 pm:
Catherine, I would definitly suggest getting bloodwork done on your boy! When you said another vet is this a vet in the same practice as the first vet? my vet has never perscribed antibiotics for anything less than 7 days. Also when babies are on antibiotic make sure they get some probios or live cultures in yogurt. It helps their tummy feel better.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 7, 2005 - 7:05 am:
Hello Catherine,
I think your history suggests a chronic infection Catherine. I would certainly recommend a thorough work up including blood work and would consider continued antibiotics until it has been shown to not be a infection problem.
Since an abscessing infection might be occurring internally consider antibiotics that have efficacy against walled off infections like you see with Rodococcus, see Equine Diseases » Respiratory System » Foal Pneumonia: Rhodococcus for more on diagnosing and treating internal abscessing infections.
DrO
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