Foal just not right

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Guinness

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Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this, we have a foal at work that recently doesnt seem right. She has stopped leading (she used to be fab) and seems a bit lethargic, today she seemed slightly un-coordinated too. We have called the vet out, but just wondering if anyone had seen anything similar before?
 
Had the vet yesterday, he was baffled (shes eating/drinking fine and her reactions are normal) so he said give it a couple of weeks and see how she goes. We werent happy with this (wanted bloods taken) so arranged for another vet to come out today. However this morning she was a lot worse, going round in circles and walking backwards, legs crossing over until she banged into the wall. The vet it due anytime so Im keeping my fingers crossed but dont think its going to be good news. My guess it Wobblers, anyone got any experience of it?
 
That doesn't sound bright at all does it?
Do you think there is a possibility that she has hit her head or fallen at any time to cause this? If it's only one way she will go, what about something to do with her ear/balance on that side?
I ask because Flo, a 3 year old did this (although a good bit more severe) after doing a somersault in the field; getting up, falling backwards, staggering forward again, totally and dangerously uncoordinated, she couldn't control her limbs at all and would collapse on top of you without warning. During the autopsy it was found she had crushed the vertebrae behind her ear which had released spinal cord fluid into her system and her membranes were turning jaundiced (don't ask me for technical terms, way beyond me!). It was a relief to know we had done the right thing in putting her down because you always wonder when you can't see any physical damage.
Do hope something can be done for the foal; thanks for the update.
 
Oh poor you and poor foal!

My immediate thought was a bang on the head or wobblers, could be EHV (there was a case in Cheshire last July/August) and if you were in the USA the EPM, but you're not, so that should not be of concern.

How is the foal now? Any news on the tests?
 
How old is the foal?? Sounds like Dummy Foal Syndrome (neonatal maladjusted syndrome ), but this usually shows up days after being born, and if foals get this the window of opportunity for response is usually five to seven days.

However, if the foal is weaned now then that may be a completely different thing altogether....possibly toxicity of some kind....
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Has the foal been recently wormed?
 
Had the vet out again, hes still not sure what it is but thinks it could be some kind of meningitis, which has caused abcesses to form in the part of her brain that controls movement. Hes treating it with anti biotics, and has given her five days. Im not holding out much hope she will make it.
 
Just another quick update, vet came out again tonight as it looked like she had colic and her jaw was locking, almost looked like she had a stroke. Vet coming back first thing, if shes on her feet and eating he will keep treating her. If not then she will be put to sleep
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[ QUOTE ]
Had the vet out again, hes still not sure what it is but thinks it could be some kind of meningitis, which has caused abcesses to form in the part of her brain that controls movement. Hes treating it with anti biotics, and has given her five days. Im not holding out much hope she will make it.

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Something like myloencephalytis? EPM http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/drfenger/ I know a broodmare that has this in this country, though she was imported from the USA. She has good days and bad days and once a year undergoes a series of expensive (1K) medication. Also the TB stallion Woodman suffered from this.

This is very interesting! http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:XinZz...t=clnk&cd=2

How is she today?
 
Dare I say it, she looks a little brighter today. She was munching on some haylage this morning, and even managed a little trot around. Next few days will be critical though.
Thanks for all the vibes!
 
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