New foal wobbly/weak in hind legs (update: in clinic for stomach problem)

[JoZ]

New foal was born Saturday morning so he is two days old now. Everything is normal except his hind legs. He has HUGE hocks but they aren’t swollen or puffy, just big. And when he walks or turns, he will twist at the hip/hock (not sure which) in a way that looks painful. At least it is painful to watch! He has been in a stall since birth but I let him and his mom out in the arena today for about a half hour. He looked better trotting and cantering than he does walking, but as soon as he was tired the wobbling and twisting was evident.

I think he will straighten out and tighten up but am not sure (a) if a vet can/should do anything at this juncture or (b) if stall confinement is better than outside exercise at this point. Normally I’d be sending him out to pasture during the day by the time he was 3-5 days old. Thoughts?

[Ticker]

You are probably aware that a large foal can have their ribs broken during the birth or experience a hernia which was my first thoughts.

I would call the vet and ask for an exam, maybe xrays on the ribs and/or ultrasound the abdomen…and do blood work. This information will help you to decide the best course of action. It could be something with hips or stifle…you need to have the foal looked at if you are concerned.
Good luck!

[gumtree]

The standard post foaling check encompasses going over the foal for bruised or cracked ribs. Among other things. Shouldn’t require a vet for this. Unless one is uncomfortable with the process. The foal will be pretty reactive to pain in those areas.
We have had foals with some pretty wonky legs. This foal is only 2 days old and you would be amazed at how quickly things change given time. Some times days some times a few weeks. IME the vast majority come right in 3 to 4 weeks.

[Kyzteke]

Agree about a foal wellness check, which should have included testing his IgG as well. But if all is well, a long-legged foal often takes some time to completely straighten out and get all the parts working.

Personally, I think turn-out is better, but CONTROLLED turn-out. When he starts to get tired and wonky, he should go back in the stall for afew hours. After afew weeks he should be strong enough to be out 24/7.

[JoZ]

He is in the hospital tonight with colicky symptoms. They are keeping their eye on his hind end and mentioned an assymetry in his gaskin area but his tummy is their main concern at this point. He is bright and alert but his stomach is definitely bothering him.

All vitals are good to excellent – white blood count normal, not dehydrated, has gut sounds, normal ultrasound, lungs clear. His IgG, by the way, was through the roof, highest I’ve ever had on a foal (over 1600). Trotted sound over to the scale which was at a different clinic building. He is off milk overnight and on a glucose IV drip. Possibilities include colic, ulcers, impaction (though he passed meconium and passed manure in the trailer) or lactose intolerance. Jingles would be appreciated.

[Ticker]

Jingles for your foal!

[Blume_Farm]

HUGE JINGLES X 1000!!!

[Laurierace]

Many jingles! I had a colt 4 years ago that we almost put down. He was colicky on and off and stopped nursing on his own etc. The vet was out several times but we couldn’t figure out what the problem was. He was on gastrogard and lactaid. I would have to look up my thread here for the exact timeline but he ended up passing some retained meconium several days after birth even though he has been passing manure for days. He was better immediately after that.

Edited to add my thread. http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?247244-I-guess-I-need-jingles-New-Pics-post-100&highlight=Josh+jingles

[shea_smom]

Jingles for your baby.

[Kyzteke]

Sending jingles for the little guy…hope it all resolves quickly.

[clint]

The only colicky foal I have had retained meconium. A day in the NICU at UC Davis and she was fine. Many jingles for your foal.

[Fred]

Many jingles for your baby too, from me.