My colt is getting sick

Derby Lyn · Postby **Derby Lyn** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:09 pm

I don't think there is much more I can do for my colt at this point. He is getting septic. My normal vet won't be in until tomorrow morning. I had the other vet out on an emergency call Friday evening.

The first day he wasn't nursing well, so I milked the mare all day and bottle fed him. He got quite a bit of milk, pretty much whatever he would eat. He got a shot of penicillin on Wednesday when he was born. Thursday he was good, eating well, but not as frisky as i thought he should be. Friday he still just wasn't quite right. I noticed his front elbow was swollen and he was lame. I brought him in and he laid down and was shivering. Temp was 102 but he felt hot. I gave him more penicillin and smz's and called the vet, this was at about 12 noon. Vet didn't have much advice.

I called the vet back at about 5pm and said he needs fluids, he was dehydrated and still not well. The vet came out, gave me a bottle of gentomiacin and that was it. I gave him some of the gentomiacin and in about 15 minutes he was up and perky. He also got benamine. Saturday he was great, running around and doing awesome.

This evening his hind ankle is swollen. He is still on antibiotics. He had diarhea to begin with but that was until Saturday morning, and now it is gone. Any advice as to what else to do until I can get the good vet out tomorrow?

Karie · Postby **Karie** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:54 am

What I used on Twister was a strong antibiotic.. its
chloramphenicol its pills.. I ordered a flavored liquid (suspension) from Wickliffe pharmacy 888-934-5678 it works GOOD. Its the best for this.

local vets should carry it as pills.. you should be able to find it. I know its a dog med also..
Its a medicine that you aren't supposed to touch...

here: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/assets/courses/vm70016/septicarthritis.pdf%20http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/aaep/2000/188.pdf

The Merck Veterinary Manual -Septicemia in Foals: Introduction
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/53200.htm

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/AAEP/1998/Hance.pdf - all the meds are here!!

Chloramphenicol
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_chloramphenicol.html

RxMed: Pharmaceutical Information - CHLORAMPHENICOL
http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharmaceutical/b2.1.monographs/CPS-%20Monographs/CPS-%20(General%20Monographs-%20C)/CHLORAMPHENICOL.html

Derby Lyn · Postby **Derby Lyn** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:00 am

Thanks Karie- I got your message also. The vet was out this morning and we also gave him some IV fluids. Wish us luck. I guess its a 50/50 chance.

Karie · Postby **Karie** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:28 am

tell him to call in a prescription for that stuff..
It was the only thing that worked on my filly.

nferro9925 · Postby **nferro9925** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:31 am

Oh Derby Lyn -

Good luck with the little guy!

I wish him a very speedy recovery.

Nessa · Postby **Nessa** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:00 pm

I hope he makes it too, Derby Lyn.

Derby Lyn · Postby **Derby Lyn** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:32 am

He really has his ups and downs. One minute he is bouncing around, the next minute he crashes. Thanks everyone, and keep praying for him please.

Derby Lyn · Postby **Derby Lyn** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:49 pm

After a 2nd IgG test, his levels were too low so I gave him IgG serum last night. He seemed to improve greatly from that. His heartrate has been 130-140, and it is normal today. I have my own IgG tests, but it does not give numbers, just good or bad. It said he was good, but I do not like to rely on them (and I will never order those tests again) so the vet tested him again and thank God we did.

Then this afternoon he had what I think was a reaction to the penicillin. I gave him his shot, and he got extremly wobbly, leaned back, put his head down and toppled to the ground. His heart got very slow and his breathing very labored. I gave him an epinephrin shot, figured I couldn't kill him at this point, and it got him going again. He is still groggy, but he is up and around and not wobbly. He even kicked at mom today.

His name is Jack, and wish us luck and hopefully he keeps improving. Nothing more can go wrong, b/c my good vet is off for the week and I refuse to have the other vet out.

nferro9925 · Postby **nferro9925** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:46 pm

Oh Jack! We are pulling for you boy!

Do not scare your mom(s)...

serenarider · Postby **serenarider** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:52 am

Pulling for Jack!

zinn21 · Postby **zinn21** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:06 pm

Been following this thread for days. Derby I wish you all the best and hope Jack pulls through. This is as sad a struggle that I've read in a while..

KamiBrooks · Postby **KamiBrooks** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:27 pm

Saw the thread bumped and was hoping for good news. I'm pulling for your little guy too.

Derby Lyn · Postby **Derby Lyn** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:32 pm

Let me first state that I have NEVER had a septic foal, let alone a sick one and I rely totally on my vet for the treatment and diagnosis. Luckily I noticed the signs from day one that something was wrong with him, and I started him on antibiotics.

I gave him a bottle of the plasma stuff on Tuesday, after the vet checked his IgG levels. That vet is off for the rest of the week. I call the office on Wednesday and ask if I can bring in another blood sample for another IgG test. Makes sense to recheck it, right? That vet says that they only had one bottle of the plasma, so it was a one shot deal, and that I don't need to give him any more. Of course I am not going to believe that.

I took in another blood sample today, and his level was still under 400 (should ATLEAST be 800-900). But they are out of the plasma. So I call another clinic that I don't normally use b/c their prices are out of this world. I am talking with that vet, and she says that I need to give him atleast 2 or 3 of those bottles, maybe 4. She never just gives one bottle. I run over to their clinic and get the plasma, and I just finished giving it to him. He got up and nursed some, but he is still groggy. That vet is coming back out to check on him tomorrow.

I guess I get what I pay for. Jack is still hanging in there.

nferro9925 · Postby **nferro9925** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:59 pm

I would definately have a sit down with your regular guy when he gets back. 1 bottle is just plain nuts.

Hang in there DerbyLyn & Jack - you got people here you can't write because of crossed fingers and toes!

Jenny · Postby **Jenny** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:52 pm

Good luck with him we are praying for little jack.
Just to clarify. What kind of plasma comes in a bottle? The only kind I have ever used was a bag of plasma given by I.V infusion right into the jugular vein. It is quite expensive about $500-600. per bag. But it turns them right around. I had one that had no colostrum at all and was fine after the plasma. I am sorry but your vets seem to not be on top of things. If any of my vets clients had a sick foal they make sure they have all the supplied ordered in just in case you need anything. Lots of plasma on hand. I am really glad I have the vet I have. He can be an ass sometimes but he gives great care and has lots of experience. I hope everything is ok with your little guy.