Foal plasma

[Pav]

Is it standard for foals to get two rounds of plasma treatment when they are boarded at farms? My foal received it shortly after it was born, and now received it again at about 3-4 months old. This is my first mare/foal, so all of my board bills always have some surprises on them (mostly vet charges), and I just want to make sure they are legitimate.

Thanks.
Pav

[TrueColours]

Um ... NO!!!

You give plasma IF there is a passive failure of immunity transfer. IF the IgG levels are tested and fall below the normal ranges then you would give a course of 1-2 treatments when the foal is a few days old!

but unless that foal was severely debilitated what on earth are they giving it plasma for???

Its ungodly expensive and because it is SO thick it must be given very very slowly so you usually end up knocking them right out to do so and they can also take a reaction to it and die as a friends colt did at the veterinary hospital so to "just give it" because??? is the most bizarre thing I have ever heard of ...

[LKR]

A friend has her mares and foals at a supposedly top farm and they are right up front that they are charging $250.00 for plasma for each foal. I believe they are going to do it again too. lThey did the first at 2 days. No mention of an igg test, it is just THEIR procedure. The mares and foals have had several issues with sickness, they also feed something to prevent ocd and one of the foals still has to have surgery. It is a bunch of Bullsh*t to me, just more expenses. And, how do you KNOW they do all that crap???

[madelyn]

This does not sound legitimate at all.

[Bondama]

Sounds to me like what we call in the legal business a "padded" bill.

[Pav]

Thanks for the info. I looked at a couple of other ranches in CA, and it does seem like its standard for plasma to be provided to new foals (1-2 times). One farm said it was their policy. The other farm, where I re-bred my mare at before bringing her back to my local farm, recommended it and asked for consent in the paperwork. So, I was OK with the first treatment, but am wondering about the second since it just appeared on my last bill when the foal was older. Maybe it was a holdover charge from several months ago? I'm checking into it so that I understand it better. Thanks again.

[SymRanch]

Not all plasma is created equal. It's common on farms with a history of Rhodococcus to give all foals plasma with appropriate antibodies. I believe the normal protocol is to give "specific antibody plasma" at birth, and again at 30-45 days.

You might ask what kind of plasma is being administered.

[tbrace]

True, many CA ranches give plasma, but in today's world, most farms plan on MAKING MONEY on their vet bills.

Shouldn't be like this, but believe me, it goes on regularly.

It is a tough business for an owner, whether breeding or racing. You are at the mercy of the folks making out the bills.

The only thing one can do is find trustworthy people, or run the whole process yourself - something that is unrealistic for most of us.

[TrueColours]

I also posted this thread over on the EMG board:


http://www.equiman.com/cgi-bin/ubb/Foru ... 25022.html

Some interesting perspectives on it over there as well ...

[magic code]

LKR, are your friend's horses at a northwest farm? I heard some eye-opening things about one of the "top" northwest farms this year with regard to vet bills.

[LKR]

No, Magic Code, they are located in California at a farm you would all recognize. BTW, I would be interested to know what NW farm you are talking about. The "Big Boys" up here have things go on that they don't tell about and the clients don't know anything is up until the get the "Vet Bill". Please contact me privately as to who and what if you can. I had heard some rumors but since I am located in the middle of the state and most are on the west side I don't know for sure what was going on.

[Evenheaven]

We just had to administer plasma to our 3 day old foal, and what an experience it was. His IgG levels were low - in the high 400s and he had some swelling in his front leg. He is coming out of the sedation extremely slowly. Things seemed uneventful... we sedated him and with 3 of us put him on the ground. While the plasma was first started, he reacted and the vet reassured me that it was normal... it scared me half to death as I thought we were going to lose him right then and there how he was reacting. Now he is taking FOREVER to come back around..... Anyone have any words of advise? If so, please, please,please post as I am a reck over this!

[TrueColours]

Oh shoot Amber ... how is he doing?

The 3 times I have seen plasma administered, there was NO reaction to it at all, and the foals got up and started running around like the Energizer Bunny, so totally different than what you are experiencing here

Crossing my fingers that today he is back to normal and better than ever ...

[Evenheaven]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Donna. He's doing better this morning...still not running around like I'd love to see, but boy let me tell you, it was an uncomfortable feeling last night as he was laying there like he was almost in a coma. You know things aren't good when your vet goes back to the truck and is on the phone, but alas, he's a fighter and is up and active this morning. I still have yet to see him run, buck or jump, but with God's will, things will turn around. I'll keep everyone posted on his progress along with some pictures.
Amber

[TrueColours]

How is he doing???

Hopefully bounced back and right as rain now!

Usually once they have plasma and the IgG levels come up, there is no looking back - they move on and are happy healthy foals after that ...