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  Discussion on Fescue: How much is too much?
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 19, 2001 - 11:42 pm:

Greetings!
I have read several articles and also spoken to 3 veterinarians about fescue toxicity and pregnant mares, but have not learned if even a very small amount has a toxic effect. I currently have a pregnant mare (319 days) who has been fed good quality alfalfa and a combination of oats, Omelene and Mare Plus as the bulk of her diet. She is out on pasture during the day. The pasture contains about 50% fescue and 50% bluegrass and orchard grass. There is actually not a lot of any grass at this point. Is there a chance she is getting too much fescue or will her main diet offset the toxic effects? I hate to leave her inside all day for the remainder of her pregnancy, but if this would be best it will be done.
Also, I have not noticed any signs of bagging and from my understanding of one of the articles, if I do not by day 323 then maybe I should start Domperidone. (I thought some mares did not show signs of bagging even up to the day of delivery.)
Have there been any ill effects from taking Domperidone?
As you may be able to tell, I have become quite anxious about this situation. We are trying to rid our pastures of any fescue, but in Missouri it is an up hill battle.
Any comments will be welcome.
Jane

Posted on Friday, Apr 20, 2001 - 9:05 am:

Yes there is a chance this is too much fescue and no we have not had ill effects from the use of Domperidone. Can you not set up a dry paddock for the mare instead of constant stalling. Though not impossible I have not witnessed a mare going from no bag to normal lactation over a 24 hour period. We start getting nervous around here if we do not see a bag developing by 14 days prepartum. The response to Domperidone has been quick for us and usually we do not start it until 10 days before the expected birth date but this may vary in individual circumstances, you should follow your veterinarian's instructions on this.
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 20, 2001 - 12:08 pm:

DrO,
Thanks for your response. Unfortunately we do not have a completely dry lot. We are trying by mowing, then spraying any of the fescue we are able to identify. Of course we keep her off the area at that time!
We had been told that if you make the mare "picky" about her food, ie: feed lots of good stuff, she would probably avoid the fescue. Even though she may not have had much, I'm going to purchase the Domperidone today just in case we see no bag development. Do you consider 14 days prepartum to be 326? The mare was inseminated June 9, 2000. She is a Morgan, so not too large.
It's a long story about the different veterinarians who have seen her. The first, who was my favorite, went into research, the second we used for about 2 months, then we moved the mare to our farm in a small town where the vets prefer working with bovine over equine. We finally found someone in another state about 30 miles away who works with horses. He saw her April 1 and said we could try the Domperidone if we wanted. He is rather quiet so I have to bug him with lots of questions.
Before this is all over, I may be the one who needs medication!!!
Thanks again,
Jane

Posted on Saturday, Apr 21, 2001 - 8:09 am:

We use 337 days after the mare goes out of heat as the normal gestation. Foing out of heat is probably a little more accurate than the insemination date as it is closely correlated with ovulation.
DrO
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