INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY:
Basic rundown of what happened. . . .
Basically she had placentitis to the point where it had made the foal in distress for several days and became VERY sick, to the point the infection was running rampid through her body. The warning sign of this? BLOODY/DARK BROWN LOOKING MUCUS PLUG!!!! PLEASE, ANYONE WHO SEES THIS CALL YOUR VET OUT IMMEDIATELY AS THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION, AND I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A WARNING SIGN ......MUCOUS PLUGS SHOULD BE A FLESHY PINK/PURPLE COLOR!!!
He said if I had called him when I first saw it, my filly would have had a fighting chance. She was in position and delivery went pretty smoothly other than the red bag ((which I was worried about because she had a history of having one back in 2010 with her other filly)) just like a normal foaling. The filly lived for about 10 minutes but the infection had spread through her so badly that she was extremely lethargic with no suckle reflex and no desire to get up and active. The cord was also twisted very badly which on top of the infection he presumes is why I was seeing such violent foal movement.
Unfortunately the filly is just what I "ordered" - a beautiful bay pinto blue eyed filly, I named her "Perfection" and she is buried beside her full sister from the red bag birth of 2010, whom I named "Rayne" and her half-sister who I lost because of my ex-husbands cruelty (long story), whom I named "Innocence" . I held her until she passed while Missy was being an excellent mother and was licking and trying to urge her to become active. Missy isn't handling it well, she's still calling for her even though she had 6 hours to be with her and mourn. It's heart wrenching on both of us. Only in the last two hours as she moved on, and is actually teasing my stallion - the sire of all three of her foals - and wanting to be with him.
Missy is on antibiotics right now and she will be flushed tomorrow morning, and he expects a full recovery - she's eating, drinking, pooping, peeing and doing all her normal things. I hope someone can learn from my experience and gain the knowledge to protect their own mare. The vet came back out about an hour ago to talk and check Missy and he really wants me to continue my breeding program - even with Missy. He said the red bag was probably a fluke from inducing and he was partially expecting it, which is why he didn't leave - he said it was probably not her fault. He's urged me to "get back on the horse", along with my fiance. Infact, my fiance and father direct deposited some cash in my bank account to buy a pregnant mare......I'm heavily considering it, although I would be having her reside on my vet's farm and having him foal her out for me, which he's kindly offered free of charge.
Emotions ran through me so hard and I wanted to quit, but after thinking heavily on it, it's what we do as breeders. You see what you're made of and if it's truely your passion you don't give up, and I don't plan on giving up.
Missy's breeding fate is undetermined right now, but I will pick up the pieces and move on. It's times like these you see your vet's and family's quality - they know how hard I've worked, and others have worked, to build a breeding program and then turn around to lose something very dear to them.
All I can say is rest in peace Perfection and I'm comforted knowing that you aren't alone - you are in Heaven without pain enjoying the grassy fields with your sisters, Rayne and Innocence. I'll see you again one day in a better place and a better time, and you're always in my heart.
