Photos. Foal with sores on bottom and mouth

[PapaFrita]

I've never seen anything like this. It's being treated as a wound (as in foal hurt itself on something) but the sores around the mouth make me think it might be something else. Parasites? Another foal is showing similar soreness, though not so bad, right up between her hind legs.

 

[SusieT]

Is there anything other than grass in the field? Any sign of mother being distressed?

 

[PapaFrita]

Is there anything other than grass in the field? Any sign of mother being distressed?

There isn't any grass. They're in a bare paddock and get alfalfa twice a day. Mare is v thin, but so are all the mares. There are 5 or 6 with foals.

 

[SusieT]

You would wonder if there was something of a chemical nature going on. With it being bare paddock though I'm inclined now to think that that he has had a tumble/fight and ended up falling onto his left side in such a way to cause friciton type burns in those locations, unusual but possible

 

[PapaFrita]

Apparently it's much better now than it was and he had a massive hole on his left bum cheek. If he fell, I'm puzzled about the sores around his mouth.

 

[SophieLouBee]

How bizzare, could it be a skin disease going on around his bum, and he has turned around to lick/itch it and it has spread to his mouth?

I have never seen anything like that before, poor little beast.

 

[PapaFrita]

How bizzare, could it be a skin disease going on around his bum, and he has turned around to lick/itch it and it has spread to his mouth?

I have never seen anything like that before, poor little beast.

I was thinking something along those lines.
Nor have I!

 

[SusieT]

I'm thinking a tumbleing fall, i.e scrapes his bum, maybe goes backwards/sideways and hits his muzzle too. Who knows, good thing is its getting better.

 

[PapaFrita]

I'm thinking a tumbleing fall, i.e scrapes his bum, maybe goes backwards/sideways and hits his muzzle too. Who knows, good thing is its getting better.

Apparently the wound next to the tail was very deep and raw. I'm not buying that it was an accident, but then ... I do know them rather well....

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

PF, don't know much about the wildlife in Argentina but could it have been your equivalent of a racoon or similar? Caught a foal sleeping and maybe came back for another go once having found out what easy prey they are? Fox? Feral dog? Mouth and rear end are prime spots for scavenger assault.

 

[PapaFrita]

PF, don't know much about the wildlife in Argentina but could it have been your equivalent of a racoon or similar? Caught a foal sleeping and maybe came back for another go once having found out what easy prey they are? Fox? Feral dog? Mouth and rear end are prime spots for scavenger assault.

There are certainly foxes about and pumas have been seen... although I'm pretty sure the puma would've finished the foal off entirely. I'm intrigued by the sores on the mouth in addition to the rawness of the bottom

 

[Nocturnal]

I have seen something like this before, but I'm afraid we never got to the bottom of it! (No pun intended...) We decided that it was probably caused by a poisonous plant, or a reaction to some type of grass. It cleared up on its own after a while.

 

[PapaFrita]

I have seen something like this before, but I'm afraid we never got to the bottom of it! (No pun intended...) We decided that it was probably caused by a poisonous plant, or a reaction to some type of grass. It cleared up on its own after a while.

That's interesting. I've seen their alfalfa and it's not good quality and has mould. I'm not sure foal is old enough to be eating it although I suppose if toxins are involved they could be getting to him via mum's milk

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

could be some auto immune thing going on. bloods might give an indication. or a type of mange that the foal has scratched raw?

 

[PapaFrita]

could be some auto immune thing going on. bloods might give an indication. or a type of mange that the foal has scratched raw?

Yes, could be, both counts. Not putting any money on owner getting bloods taken. Knob.

 

[ladyearl]

I have seen something similar post worming. It was the parasite exiting apparently. It was only around the bum area though and cleared up quickly.

 

[PapaFrita]

I have seen something similar post worming. It was the parasite exiting apparently. It was only around the bum area though and cleared up quickly.

That's interesting, thanks