Foal Blood Transfusion

[magbiehillstables]

My foal was born late by which time the colostrum had run dry. The vet did a blood test and it came back with a score of 400. The vet has advised doing a blood transfusion.

I am not keen. The foal and mare are doing really well. They are out at grass. There are no other horses with them. I have heard that there is a risk of the plasma being rejected and I also don't like the idea of the stress the transfusion would cause mare and foal.

Am I taking a huge risk or have other people not done the transfusion and the foals been ok?

 

[AmyMay]

Pop this in Breeding - you may get more replies.

 

[Silverfire]

Yes had one last year who came back above 400 but below 800. Big strong filly, normal foaling, mare hadn't run milk. Vet gave option of plasma transfusion or do antibiotics for first 5 days. Owner decided to do antibiotics, foal was fine and had no problems.

 

[magbiehillstables]

Thanks for replies. Strangely they never gave me a choice of antibiotics