Being that she’s a baby, I’d pass on the pop rocks and stick with the equine approved meds, personally. I certainly hope your vet gets back to you soon. If not, I’d strongly consider putting her and mom on a trailer and heading to a clinic. These little ones can crash in a hurry, and I wouldn’t want to waste time trying to home-diagnose.
I’ve just checked on her and was shocked to find a bright eyed, inquisitive foal greet me at the stall door just like she used to be. She proceeded to groom with her mom for quite some time and this is just not something she has been doing the last week or so when she would’ve much rather been sacked out on the floor.
Tell me, is it possible the UG would work that quickly? That doesn’t seem possible. Or perhaps she is just now well rested. Hard to say. I guess the next few days will be telling for her once she returns to night turnout. I’m rather perturbed my vet has still not called me back. I’ve called twice now. He does surgeries as well so maybe he has been held up there.
Why would a foal who is not under any stress that I can tell and really not eating but barely a handful of grain be getting an ulcer? She has access to fresh water of course and as much nice Timothy grass mix hay as she and her mom like and is kept in front of them 24/7. There is still a good bit of grass in the pasture for them as well.
By the way, yes she did have blood work done twice – both at the onset of the umbilical issue and once my vet had pronounced it cleared up (about 3 weeks later). The second time, her levels were considered in the normal range so we thought all was well with that issue.
Her temp now is 100.6. Thanks all for your advice. Appreciate it much. I will let you know how she is when she goes out this evening.
[QUOTE=Happy;7112370]
My 6 week old foal is concerning me. Long story short, she had an umbilical infection at a few days old. Vet had me put her on SMZ and gave her three doses of Excede. (Excede was given day one, day 5, and then day 12) While on these drugs, she was on gastrogard as well as probiotics. Throughout, she was a healthy active foal.
About a week or so ago, she started on all night turnout after slowly increasing her hours of turnout since birth. She seemed fine to me but she was a tired foal. I thought maybe I should cut her turnout back and that she was too tired but Im the type to baby my horses a bit too much so I resisted the urge. I’ve done all night turnout with my other foals at this age and all have been fine. When the following evening rolls around, shouldn’t she be playful and ready to go out again? That’s how my others were in the past. But this filly just walks as slow as can be with no pep there and I feel like I can see in her eyes something is not right. Her temp is 101.2.
I’m wondering what you all would think of the possibility of ulcers. I thought we had covered our bases with the GG but maybe it was not given long enough. It was given 1/4 tube once a day for the duration of meds (three weeks) and then tapered off to every other day for another week or so. Or is it that she is a quiet subdued foal who requires more rest than most?
A couple other things I’ve noticed is that yes she does lie down out in the pasture to rest. And she was starting to eat grain with her mom a few weeks ago but barely touches it now. She used to run and play every night when turned out but she rarely does now. She also used to come to me and beg scratches and would play with my clothing in her mouth etc. and just be a general pain in the behind. But she is too quiet IMO.
I’ve called the vet and am waiting for a response but wanted to get your take on things because I know many of you are very experienced breeders and have seen it all. This is only my 5th foal and I just want to do the right thing. Thank you.[/QUOTE]
I would get the vet out sooner rather than later. I just went through a similar experience (somewhat) with my now 7 week old filly. She had been on Excede and then another antibiotic in an attempt to thwart a respiratory illness. The second antibiotic “cured” the respiratory illness but she went on to develope severe gastro-diarrhea syndrome. Her initial symptoms were similar- lethargy, not eating Mom’s grain or hay… her temps ranged 100.9- 102. (My vets consider anything over 101 in an older foal to be abnormal.) The foal required daily fluids and blood was drawn on multiple visits. She was kept in with Mom and placed on probiotics, Biosponge and Metronidazole. After a few days she began to recover albeit very slowly. She also had visit to NewBolton for additional testing which was essentially normal. We believe she had a clostridial infection related to the antibiotics though this was not necessarily ever confirmed. Thankfully she’s now fully recovered and back to her nipping and bucking.
Hmmm very interesting about the excede. I’m going to be talking to my vet about that as well.
Yes, ulcerguard can work that fast. Recommended dose is 2 clicks for foals (which works out at 8 doses a tube). 65% of foals are born with ulcers, so she probably had them, the meds exacerbated them and hence she is suffering. You may have to keep her on them for at least 2 tubes. Also give her foal probiotics and obviously, no grain. Check out the foal ulcers thread for more info
good luck
Ditto Molly Malone. Ulcers can kill foals that are not in discernible stress. Ulcergard can work very quickly.
If she is not showing gastrointestinal symptoms, the excede is probably not the culprit. That said, I am not sure that I’d want it used on a very young foal. In fact from reading this thread, I am not sure I’d want to use it at all.
If you see any further lethargy from her, I would definitely discuss an ultrasound of the umbilicus to rule out a deep abdominal infection that might be brewing.
Keep us posted!
I’ve spoken with the vet. They’re coming tomorrow. Meantime he said sounds like ulcers to him and doubtful of the excede having any part since she has been off that for weeks and as the above poster mentioned, no sign of gastrointestinal issues. Tonight she tried to dive into moms grain. I had to stop her from eating it but was encouraged that she wanted to and wow was she wild when I turned her out. I can’t believe (well yes I do believe it now) that she could start to bounce back this quickly. Not that i have a definitive answer yet but I feel some relief. I’ve been so stressed I think I need some GG for myself. 
I was always advised not to let the foal eat grain before 4 months or risk ulcers. Perhaps other experienced breeders could chime in on that.
I doubt if she is 400 pounds so it is likely that 1/4 tube is more than she needs. I have seen it work within hours so it definitely can work that fast. I feed Foal’s First pellets as soon as they show interest in eating grain. It is for foals four months of age and under. One 50 pound bag is usually enough for the first four months, they don’t eat much of it. One pound equals one dose of Rejuvenaide or Foal Aide FYI.
I’m no good at guessing their weight so I’m sure you’re right. I will give her 1/8 of the tube per day. Thank for the info Laurierace. Ill have to see if I can get ahold of foals first.
Haven’t read all the replies, but this is not normal in my experience. My 5 wk old filly is turned out to graze with mom in the heat of the day, and she will still run & play for a time.
Could be many things, but it sounds like she may still have an infection going or maybe ulcers.
Have the vet pull blood…and GG can’t hurt (at least I guess it can’t…)
Good luck.
I commend you for being concerned when your foal showed lethargy. Changes in behaviour are significant, and can indicate genuine illness, without evudence if temperature. Last year I had a filly go “blah” on me, dragging around after her 1st two weeks of dancing and leaping, with v low temperature (just over 101). Umbulical stump had healed quickly, no swelling or heat. Vet thought perhaps some infection (to her umbulicus was fone). After 3 days on antibiotics, I asked the vet back to ultrasound the body cavity. Could not see anything. We changed meds, and when I still saw no improvement within 36 hours, I requested an emergency admittance to OVC. There they discovered a deep umbulical infection. Filly was operated on and stayed 11 days on antibiotics etc (plus ulcer meds). Aftercare was involved, but she returned to her happy self. I’m so glad I went with my gut, when my own vets seemed relatively unconcerned.
^^What Kathleen said. That is why I took my three week old filly from this year in to the clinic she seemed ‘off’. Low grade temp, (101.2ish), just a bit depressed, but she did have some significant edema around her umbilicus. They put her on fluids, gave naxcel and after a day of observation removed a large, walled off infection in the urachus area. She came home on Excede, received at least one follow up excede injection at home, and has been doing great ever since.
That is why I recommend an ultrasound and other diagnostics, if the filly continues to show lethargy. They can go south in a heartbeat.
She continues to be perky and Im feeling very strongly that she must have some mild ulcers that the Ulcergard is relieving her pain. I will continue to keep you updated and also let you know what the vet says.
By the time my vet arrived yesterday, the filly was feeling great! Maybe a little too great! My vet said there was every reason to think with her rambunctious antics and normal vitals that she was getting relief from the UG and to continue on with the treatment for 30 days. He didn’t feel he needed to do an ultrasound given her normal temp and behavior.
Last night, she resumed all night turnout and this morning was on her feet antagonizing her mom by gently pawing at her while SHE was trying to sleep. 
Previous to the UG, she was sleeping all day. She would only get up to nurse and lie back down. She was back to begging for scratches and being her normal sweet self.
I thank you all for your help. These were my first posts on COTH after reading others posts the last couple years. It’s so informative to get the advice of many who have much more experience than I at least until the vet can get there.
Excellent! :yes:
Hurray.
Yes, there are many experts here who share their vast knowledge generously.
The advice we can get here is invaluable.
I have dealt with hundreds of foals and it sounds like you did the right thing. I read the days you gave Excede does your vet recommend 4 days apart? I have done it with numerous foals I have worked on a few very large breeding farms. That seemed to really keep treatment very steady. Also have you used Biosponge, or Bismuth Paste? Have had success with those in ulcers with foals. Definitely don’t claim to be an expert just had a lot of experience with foals.
