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  Discussion on Just had healthy twins--a rarity!
Author Message
Member:
Gmwalker

Posted on Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 - 12:39 pm:

My 17 h warmblood mare just stunned us with full term unsuspected twins that she carried 1 day longer than her last singleton pregnancy. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Both are doing well, with only failure of passive transfer issues, and one has a single leg that was over at the knee, and we have to deal with issues from that--but it's improved with splinting and tetracycline and will probably be OK without more intervention. They are darling. Photos at www.rancholosamigos.com I know odds are super low--wouldn't recommend the experience, and am glad I didn't know in advance. I'd have been a wreck. I lost twins at 10 months last year. This mare had 5 ultrasounds in first 1 1/2 months because of 6+ uterine cysts--guess she had a second embryo hiding... I think we'll do laser ablation of cysts before breeding again, but don't plan on breeding her until after she retires from riding--she's my number one riding horse.Photo of the family
Member:
Pones

Posted on Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 - 1:13 pm:

Congratulations Gay!

Gosh, you were lucky! I'd have stressed even for a single foal pregnancy! They both look wonderful - she's done you proud!

You'll have to keep us posted with their progress.

(_)(_)
Member:
Albionsh

Posted on Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 - 4:46 pm:

How wonderful mom and foals are doing so well. Your pictures of mom and babies are pretty enough for postcards. Best of luck as these precious girls grow up.

Nancy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Apr 19, 2004 - 6:53 am:

Congrats Gay,
I can understand the confusion prior to day 25 with multiple cysts, but after that the baby and not just the embryonic vesicle is visible. But in any event congratulations!
DrO
Member:
Traveler

Posted on Monday, Apr 19, 2004 - 1:16 pm:

Your little girls are beautiful, and so is Mom. Contradulations! Keep us posted on their progress.
Member:
Tangoh

Posted on Monday, Apr 19, 2004 - 4:10 pm:

Congratulations! Loved the pictures on the website. What an adorable pair! The mare looks completely enamoured and totally at peace with her new babies. Ahhhh....life is good! Isn't spring great!
Member:
Gmwalker

Posted on Monday, Apr 19, 2004 - 5:25 pm:

Well, I'm not sure why--but somehow the second twin was in hiding! Based on the placenta, one was in a uterine horn, and the other was at the horn/body junction. We only saw one on ultrasound, despite a careful exam. (But we saw a ton of cysts!). I think like DrO said to another member who had missed twins--it reinforces the limits of the technology...we just can't always see everything we'd like to see. At any rate, I am incredibly grateful for my little miracles. They are growing fast and doing well--and it is a kick to watch them play with each other and jostle for position at the teats... They can share, but sometimes they just don't feel like it.

--Gay
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