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  Discussion on NEW FILLY! Swollen Hocks?
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Member:
fahren

Posted on Monday, Jul 2, 2007 - 9:23 am:

Hi Dr. O and all,
First I have not had time yet to scour the articles. We were out of town, got home late, checked my mare and she was ready to go! Baby on the ground 45 minutes later. She passed everything within the hour. The baby "Claire" stood at 3 hrs and nursed at 4. This am when I checked on them Claire's hocks seemed rather swollen. I am worried but dont have time till this afternoon to do the proper research to see if we need the vet out before the 18 hour check... Help


Member:
hwood

Posted on Monday, Jul 2, 2007 - 9:53 am:

Congrats on your new baby, Zoe. I love her white star. Joints on babies usually do look larger . . . as if they have to grow into them, but I can't tell if it's just the angle of the photo ('specislly the last one) or if they really are soft and puffy. How do they feel to you?
Member:
fahren

Posted on Monday, Jul 2, 2007 - 2:42 pm:

Hi Holly ,
They do seem a bit puffy and soft on the cap... I dont know if I am just being a paranoid mom
Member:
hwood

Posted on Monday, Jul 2, 2007 - 3:16 pm:

Better safe than sorry at this stage, Zoe, but unless you can't feel the delineations of the joint or notice that the foal can't get around very well or notice her not wanting to eat, then I'd watch and wait.
Is this your first foal? If so, are there any experienced breeders near you who can give their input?
Member:
fahren

Posted on Monday, Jul 2, 2007 - 5:41 pm:

Thanks again,
Yep she is my first foal and I am not too experienced in the first months. I have raised a few from 2-3 months onward. I had the vet out and she said it was just edema over the joint and cap of the hocks, and probably caused from her very uncoordinated first attempts at standing. She also has red on the whites of her eyes. So good I think :-) I will post some of the cute variety of baby pics tomorrow.
Zoe
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 3, 2007 - 8:09 am:

Congratulations, Zoe! She's a darling little girl. Hope all continues to go well.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 3, 2007 - 8:49 am:

Zoe when you have time review the article Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses. It explains how to assess all types of swellings.

One thing not covered however is that foals are often born slightly "hyper-hydrated". The result is that over the first 24 hours there may be moderate dependent edema (see article for characteristics) in the legs that resolves as the fluid/electrolytes get balanced out.
DrO
Member:
jd1947

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 3, 2007 - 9:25 pm:

Zoe,
I am wondering if you soaked her umbilical cord with some mild iodine after it broke...
Dr.O...could this be joint ill??

Such a pretty baby, Zoe...congratulations.
Member:
fahren

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 4, 2007 - 9:03 am:

Hi Joanie,
Yes we did, and a few times a day after that, but I was worried about the same thing. The vet also took her temp and evaluated the swelling and was thinking they were swollen from trauma when banging around trying to get up... The swelling has gone down, I will get those new pics up I promised.
Zoe
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 4, 2007 - 10:14 am:

Note we recommend against the use of iodine for treating umbilical stumps for more on this see, Equine Reproduction » Pregnancy, Foaling, & Neonatal Care » Care of the Newborn Foal and Mare. As to whether this might be infection the article referenced above describes the differences between swellings from infection and other causes.
DrO
Member:
fahren

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 4, 2007 - 12:58 pm:

Pictures
Member:
fahren

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 4, 2007 - 1:01 pm:

more
Member:
dres

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 4, 2007 - 2:35 pm:

I LOVE THE TWO LITTLE ONES TOGETHER.. AHHHHH

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
jd1947

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 4, 2007 - 6:17 pm:

Zoe,
WOW...outstanding foal and love the photo with her little friend...it just puts a smile on my face...her hocks look good in the photo...gee, I so miss having babies on the ground...please give Claire a hug from me!!

Dr.O...
I know...I am sorry I typed in iodine, but for the life of me I can't think of the stuff I always used...Novalstan?? Something like that...yes, I believe that's it, but I spelled it wrong!
Anyway, thanks for your post, I guess instead of just typing in iodine, I should have looked for what I always used on my foals...forgive me!!
Member:
paardex

Posted on Thursday, Jul 5, 2007 - 11:19 am:

Beautiful pictures! They will grow up nicely to a combination! Already bonding together!
Jos
Member:
sunny66

Posted on Thursday, Jul 5, 2007 - 2:07 pm:

Dr O! We have a new picture for the front page! I just love the last pic :-)
Member:
fahren

Posted on Thursday, Jul 5, 2007 - 2:46 pm:

Thanks everyone, Oscar is totally enamored with Clair. He got to watch her being born and calls her his horse. He tells me I am going to ride Light (mom) and he is going to ride Clair lol!
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