This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Equine Reproduction » Horse Breeding & Artificial Insemination » Pregnancy Diagnosis »
  Discussion on Pregnant?
Author Message
Member:
Lorrieg

Posted on Sunday, Jun 20, 2004 - 1:35 pm:

DR. O

We have a mare that I wrote in about 3 1/2 months ago that looked pregnant to us. There is no real history on the mare as my sister rescued her from the kill pen and she then ended up with us. She is approximately 10 years old according to the vet who came out to do the palpation on her.

The vets diagnoses was that she was not pregnant. Here we are now 3 1/2 months later, after reducing her food about 50%, with a mare that does not look any trimmer in fact slightly larger (definetly pregnant looking!). Yesterday, when I looked at her teats, I noticed a tiny bead of what looked like wax so I decided to give a squeeze, and much to my surprise a pretty good stream of milk came out!

My questions are could the vet have missed a foal that was that far along? At what point do pregnant mares start producing milk? Is there any reason that she might be producing this much milk (it was a very good stream)if she's not pregnant?

The question that I'm afraid to ask is, if she is pregnant will the foal be OK as we gave her a West Nile vaccination about 2 mos. ago and Equi-spot fly repellent about a week ago?

We will be having the vet out later this week, but meanwhile I'm going crazy with worry since this latest development with the bagging and milk flow thinking that we may have hurt this baby with underfeeding, a vaccination and fly repellent that I never would have given if I thought she was pregnant.

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Lorrie
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Jun 20, 2004 - 6:35 pm:

Lorrie...and how's the new foal?

of course, I did have a mare that went through a false pregnancy. So, anything is possible.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 21, 2004 - 7:27 am:

Yes mares can produce milk while not pregnant but it certainly is suspicious. The onset of lactation in pregnant mares is very variable but can begin as early as a month before or as late as the day the foal is born.

I agree with your decision to have her repalpated. There is no problem with the WNV vaccine (despite what you may read elsewhere) but the EquiSpot is not as innocuous. The chance it will cause serious problems in low however. If the mares condition has remained good I also don't think the food restriction is a big problem. Quit worrying and get her palpated then we will know what to do next.
DrO
Member:
Lorrieg

Posted on Monday, Jun 21, 2004 - 10:35 pm:

Hey Sara,

No foal yet! We stayed up all last night so it's bound to be tonight since we'll have to sleep. I'll be sure to post pictures if this blessed event does occur!

Lorrie
Member:
Lorrieg

Posted on Monday, Jun 21, 2004 - 10:37 pm:

Thanks Dr O,

I'll let you know what happens next!

Lorrie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 22, 2004 - 7:31 am:

So she palpated in foal?
DrO
Member:
Lorrieg

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 22, 2004 - 10:41 am:

No, Sorry for being confusing, the vets not out until later this week.
Then I'll let you know what happens next!

Lorrie
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC