December photos/Equine Affaire: On Target Miniature 2012 foals

[targetsmom]

I posted about this on the main forum too, and just added there that I apparently misunderstood him about the IV. He is calling other vets in the area trying to locate the Ca he needs for an IV. He also said the Tums I just gave her can't hurt and might help.

 

[Sandy B]

I am so sorry abut Mira! Poor girl!

Could you guys please educate me on "thumps"?

 

[palsminihorses]

I'm so sorry to hear about Mira. Sending prayers your way!

ray

 

[Becky]

I was just going to ask if your vet IV'd calcium as that is what the vets normally do. It's an electrolyte imbalance. Hopefully, your vet will find what he needs and get it in her.

 

[Eagle]

I have just spoken to my father in law who has had experience with thumps, his vet made him take the foal off the mother until she had started showing signs of improvement due to a IV liquid calcium, apparently nursing makes it worse. He milked one of his other mares to feed the foal.

I am not sure if this will help but I thought I would mention it.

 

[targetsmom]

By now you have probably noticed that the cams went down.... our power went off briefly and is back on but my computer is still acting odd. I can only reply using "other reply options" for example..

Eagle - Yes, we know that taking Bunny off Mira would help, but wouldn't Mira then dry up and we would have to supplement her or bottle feed her from now on? Or put her on Toffee, who might actually let her nurse as she would let Rusty (Sox's 2010 foal) nurse 2 years ago. I did read that you immediately wean the foal when this happens, but Bunny is only 2 weeks old. We will of course do what we need to.

I did try to take a video of the "thumps" but am not sure if it will show up or not. If it does. I will post, but please be patient.

 

[Eagle]

Mary we will be patient, we are here to help you not cause you any further stress, we are just giving ideas for you to evaluate. Hugs my friend. Whatever you decide we are here for you.

 

[targetsmom]

What if we put a muzzle on Bunny (we have one that might fit) so she couldn't nurse (or as much), left her with Mira, and supplemented her milk with some from Toffee we give her in a bottle??

 

[Eagle]

Yes that could work, it wouldn't hurt to try.

 

[targetsmom]

At least I can reply now...

Just sent hubby to the feed store (Horses & Hounds) that closes at 5 PM for some Calcium pellets. He will probably have to call me when he gets there to figure out which is the best. I may try to put the muzzle on Bunny while he is gone which might be interesting. Bunny learned to drink from a bottle before she figured out the milk bar, so i think that will work. Just don't want to stress either of them more by separating them!

Note to Sox: please hold off just a bit longer........

 

[Eagle]

I am off to bed now, Mira and Bunny will be in my prayers and I will pull them up as soon as i wake.

 

[MeganH]

Prayers!

 

[AnnaC]

Has your vet returned yet with the IV? Everything else you are doing is great and will help, but the IV is the most important thing Mira can have now. I'm suprised that the vet didn't have a supply, but maybe at this time of year they have had a 'run' on it what with calving cows and other breeding livestock. But it is so good that she is eating something and that her temperature has come down.

I would try to get little Bunny muzzled if you can, she may be a bit stressed over it, but it will be less stress on Mira than if you have to take Bunny away.

Still saying prayers and sending healing thoughts for Mira and ((((HUGS)))) for you.

 

[bannerminis]

I see a lot of activity in Miras stable. Hope all is going well.

Sox is quiet and standing in her usual corner. Looks like she is obeying the command to cross her legs LOL

 

[AnnaC]

Is something wrong with Bunny - why are they all crowded round her???

 

[AnnaC]

I thought perhaps they were trying to put the muzzle on - and yes she would still try to nurse, not that nice for poor Mira to get prodded with a muzzle by a hungry foal, but for the best under the circumstances.

Had they not done the IV Diane? Sorry but I had popped over to Delilah's thread to check on progress.

Hopefully all will be well with Mira now and poor Mary can grab a small break and a moment of two to herself.

 

[AnnaC]

Me too!

ray

 

[targetsmom]

The vet was here and gave the Ca IV using syringes, a total of 20 cc very slowly, monitoring her heart rate and stopping half way. You could actually see the thumps slow down and then stop. I just wish he had told us what it was he needed and spent all afternoon looking for (Calcium Gluconate) which we easily found in the Tractor Supply catalog for $5.99 a bottle. There are TWO TRS stores within 15 minutes of us.

You may notice a bandage on Bunny's left front leg now. While the vet we there we noticed her limping and that the leg is bowed, which it was NOT before. He assures us it is not joint ill, but applied the bandage and splint which we are to leave on for 10 hours and remove for 10 hrs for the next few days.

I do think the episodes today have been the final nail(s) in the coffin to our mini breeding adventure. I think (as soon as Sox foals, which I hope is soon) that we will throw in the towel. We will NOT however leave minis - the 4-H club is especially important to us, but we don't need to stress and expense of breeding to do that, or to show, or drive or enjoy our minis in lots of ways. Just not breeding.

ETA: The vet said to let the foal nurse.

 

[targetsmom]

But did you see I just caught Bunny on camera in the act of eating the grain Mira didn't eat!! BUSTED!!! Good to see her trying but as the vet said, we don't need her reacting to a sudden change in her diet!

BTW, Sox, you can foal any time now. Whether she does or not, the vet is due back tomorrow for the rest of their spring shots, so good time for him to follow up on Mira and Bunny.

Just took Mira's temp at 8:15 and it is down to 101.5!!!!

 

[sar09006]

YEAH it is down!!!! I am so glad.

How is Mira doing she looks misable? How is Bunny doing with the cast?

Toffee and Clyde look so cute laying down together.

Sox please give a big sign when you foal.

prayers