I want to start by saying baby is now healthy after being given plasma. IgG levels are fine now. She’s happy, running, bucking, and acting all normal.
I signed a contract to purchase this foal in utero. The owner of the mare got impatient and at day 350 of mare being pregnant, gave her domperidone. Mare lactated, but no labor. This was not done with vet recommendation or supervision. Day 365, the mare foals. Baby was found later to have almost non-existent IgG levels. The mare’s owner takes them to the vet where baby gets 2 units of plasma and an overnight stay. No other complications.
The contract states I am paying for “routine foal care, including the well-foal vet check after birth, trims, dewormings, vaccinations
and then health certificate and Coggins when foal is ready to go to its new home.”
While I wouldn’t mind paying for emergency vet care if the baby had gotten an injury that was not due to any fault of the mare’s owner. This was both not routine care, and preventable by being patient per the veterinarian recommendation, or taking proper precautions. Mare’s owner admits fault per email. I’m mixed a bit on whether I’m legally supposed to pay that vet bill.
I feel that I should not as it was most likely an effect of early lactation. Plus domperidone has a warning stating the effects on passive transfer.
I’m hoping someone has some insight. I do still really want the foal, and don’t want to risk the mare’s owner canceling the agreement.