Low fetal heart rate -- what does it mean? SAD UPDATE post 2. Update 13, 20 SHE'S HOME post #25

[ElementFarm]

First, the mare has been up at the State University Clinic for almost a week now and is being closely monitored. She showed signs of imminent foaling but we seem to be out of the woods for that right now. She’s at Day 316 today.

Today’s report is the mare is looking good, and her ‘about to foal’ indicators are much reduced. They are very happy with how she’s responding to treatment.

However, the fetus’ heart rate is quite low, and they are worried about that. It’s been 50 or very low 50s for the past 10 days or so. They are concerned about that, but say there’s nothing they can really do, and that the best thing is for the foal to stay in mom for as long as possible, to continue cooking and developing.

I swing back and forth between cautious optimism and concern that we’re going through all this only to have the mare foal something with brain damage or physical issues that result from, or led to, the low heart rate.

Has anyone any stories, good or bad, about low fetal heart rate for prolonged period prior to being born? What would a low heart rate be an indicator of?

[ElementFarm]

update (cross post from Foal Watch 2020)

Sad to report I lost my only 2020 foal last night.

My mare as been at the state university clinic for the last 2 weeks due to signs of premature labor and possible placentitis which she was aggressively treated for. Vets were very happy with how she was looking, though the fetal heart rate was a little slower than they would have expected.

Unfortunately last night she required an emergency C-section to remove a dead foal with hydrocephalus. I’m just devastated. She was at day 325. Breeding isn’t for the faint of heart.

[LilyandBaron]

Jingles, my friend:(

[trubandloki]

I am so sorry.
How is the mare doing?

[beowulf]

I am so sorry, friend. Lots of hugs and jingles… How is your mare doing? Poor thing. :no:

[Didi]

I am so very sorry. Hugs and jingles. :’(

[LaurieB]

I’m so sorry it didn’t work out for you. I hope your mare is fine.

[weixiao]

So sorry for your loss Been there and it is so tough. ((hugs))

[pony_grandma]

I am gutted, reflecting back on all my years of horses, and knowing how you feel right now. So sad for your mare losing her foal also.

[LilyandBaron]

COTH, asking for LOTS of jingles for the mare now - hoping she can pull through!!! And for her amazing mother, @ElementFarm

[fordtraktor]

So sorry, Element Farm. What a heartbreaker.

[skydy]

I’m so sorry. That’s rotten luck. Healing wishes sent for you, and your mare.

[ElementFarm]

Well, we almost lost the mare yesterday to hemorrhage. We’re not out of the woods on that yet, and she’s also battling an infection. However, as of last night’s update, while not yet stable, she was holding her own. Right now we’re taking things in ~12 hr segments…

[Zu_Zu]

((hugs)) laced with extra strength & patience ~

JINGLES & AO !

[Quinn]

I’m so sorry

[Ducati]

@ElementFarm Oh my gosh I am so, so sad to hear the ending to this story! I was so hopeful for you! ;( I am keeping my fingers crossed that your mare recovers. I had never heard of hydrocephalus, I wonder if it is very rare. How horrible.

[Didi]

I am so very sorry. Jingles and prayers for you and your mare.

[ElementFarm]

@Ducati

@ElementFarm . I had never heard of hydrocephalus, I wonder if it is very rare. How horrible.

Apparently it is extremely rare, especially in sporthorse breeds. And the vet at the state hospital said she’d never seen one that large

Miss Mare is still holding her own. Progress is still very fragile at this point, but her team doesn’t look quite so worried. She’s even willing to eat a little bit. DH just got back from visiting her, and she was even allowed to eat a peppermint.

[Gesaffelstein]

Sorry for your loss. Jingles for your mare.

[ElementFarm]

Happier news: Miss Mare has continued to improve. She’s eating, looking brighter, bloodwork is holding steady, and her heartrate has finally come down. Vets are cautiously optimistic, and will start tapering medications down.

Her veterinary team (both therio and internal) adore her, and I know she’s in the best possible hands. They keep stating that this really was a confluence of the worst possible luck: the worst case of that particular congenital defect they’d ever seen, horrible dystocia, unsuccessful fetonomy, emergency C-section, and then post surgical complications (acute hemorrhage). So, hopefully that’s our bad luck for the decade!

I don’t even want to talk about what my bill looks like so far, and she’ll stay at the clinic another week or so. But at this point, we’re thinking she’ll be able to come home, and that’s the best news ever!

Thanks to everyone for the jingles!