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Discussion on Foal will not nurse
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New Member:
Janene
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Posted on Sunday, Apr 13, 2003 - 7:16 pm:
Foal about 14 hours old and we noticed she isn't nursing. The mare keeps turning around trying to keep the foal under her tits. Foal just smells around and does not attach.
We milked the mare and kept putting small amounts in foals mouth and felt she was swallowing, but when she walked off it all came pouring out her mouth. Vet is supposed to be on the way.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Apr 14, 2003 - 6:40 am:
The first job is to get 12 to 18 oz of colostrum in the foal and the second job is to try and find our why this foals suckle reflex seems deficient. For information on tube and bottle feeding the baby see, Equine Diseases » Reproductive Diseases » Birthing Problems » Feeding and Caring for the Orphan Foal.
For information on problems on neonates see:
» Equine Diseases » Foal Diseases. The first 4 or 5 articles concern the common problems with newborn foals all of which will cause a foal not to nurse.
DrO
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New Member:
Mcdaniel
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Posted on Monday, Jun 16, 2003 - 6:13 pm:
I have a colt that was born last night a 3:45am
and he does not have the sucking instinct. We did
finally milk her and gave him some from a glass.
He does try to drink water from a bucket but does not drink milk from the bucket. Any sugestions???
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003 - 2:48 am:
Hello Marilyn,
All of the above suggestions apply to your case Marilyn, though it is too late to get the colostrum in him you have to keep more nutrition than a glass on milk every 13 hours, the articles referenced above explain this. You need to get the veterinarian out to help you with this foal immediately as he is hypoglycemic and almost suredly IgG deficient at this point.
DrO
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Member:
Oscarvv
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003 - 8:10 am:
Wow, first want to mention the great new options. 
Marilyn, I hope you have had your vet out ASAP, like DrO said.....I am so worried about your foal.
I have to be honest in that I am really concerned...I am sure you are worrying and frantic for help. And this website is an awesome source of info, which should lead you to see how important it is for a foal to get the colostrum and to be nursing shortly after being born.
I hope the vet has been out, please keep us updated...Foals are so fragile. If you are in Florida and need help, I have experience with orphans/foals that don't nurse.....once the vet has been out, I can come help.
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