Red bag experiences

[Whizz105]

I know bella had a good delivery last time but feel I can not take this for granted this time.

So I would like to hear your experiences of red bag deliveries please? And does happen more when mares overdue or is this not a factor?
Is there a common factor?!
Thank you!

 

[cundlegreen]

I had a red bag delivery last year. The mare was overdue by about ten days, then two days before she foaled, she got badly kicked by another mare. I'm sure this caused the "red bag" as from what I've read, its due to a trauma, or viral infection. Good job I was watching on the camera, as I think you only get about 5 minutes leeway before the foal suffocates.
The foal was none the worse for the experience, and ended up Highest Scoring event foal at his Futurity venue.

 

[Gucci_b]

Explain red bag pls 1st timer here, and I won't pretend I know It all

 

[sywell]

Had a sharp knife handy and split bag. When vet came he said it was one of the toughest bags heed seen and was a large foal and the bag weighed over 14 lbs. It was an older mare.

 

[JanetGeorge]

Explain red bag pls 1st timer here, and I won't pretend I know It all

A red bag delivery is when the foal comes out IN the placenta. The placenta is very tough and if you're not there to break or cut it open, the foal will suffocate in the bag. Even if you ARE there, the foal can suffocate before birth if its umbilicas is separated from the placenta.

A normal birth involves the foal coming out in the white bag - which is an inner lining to the red bag! The placentra follows afterwards.

I've had two 'red bags'! The first was apparently due to a cord 'accident' - the foal died and came out in the placenta. It was only 290 days - so even if it hadn't died before bith, it would have had NO chance.

The second was a BIG colt foal - luckily I was there and managed to get him out very quickly. He was severely hypoxic and kept forgetting to breathe for about the first hour - then he was fine!

 

[Violet]

My now 4-year old was a red bag delivery. We pulled him out quick, he was quite big but no problems with breathing or getting up. Born at 343 days.
His full brother now a yearling was a normal delivery, very big but up within 20 minutes and suckling.
As long as you keep on watching your mare and are available to assist if anything goes wrong you stand a better chance of a positive outcome.

 

[Clodagh]

SN posted a brilliant guide to red bag deliveries on this forum last year. I am hopeless at searching but it should be on here somewhere.

 

[Whizz105]

Have been looking for that post for what seems an age and stumbled on this

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=341851

 

[Gucci_b]

the video has been removed....

 

[Gucci_b]

found this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcKi10hqbao&NR=1

 

[Whizz105]

Here is one. Writing on the screen is annoying as is other things!

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_...agNUY&gl=GB#/watch?xl=xl_blazer&v=avugTkuk7c8

 

[Gucci_b]

found this video, how awful for the owners
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z-ytY8tnW0&feature=related

 

[KarynK]

Whilst there are horror stories on you tube, mostly some very stupid owners, it's well worth swatting up by watching some straight forward and problem births if you don't have a stud you can visit to gain experience.

 

[trumdella]

A red bag is one of the foaling emergencies!

As other posters have said.. it causes your foal to be compromised! It is therefore important to get the foal out as quickly as possible!

I have dealt with many redbags!

At the stud I work at.. people are there watching mares 24-7.. so we are there before they have broken water and observe any strange behaviours.. or to time how long they have been acting like they are foaling although nothing is happening!

- This is very important.. if your mare is acting like she's foaling but you see no waters break or fluid coming out her back end after a little while.. put your hand in and have a feel.. if you feel a foal on its way out in a thicker sack than the amnion would be - break it anyway you can!!! - if using a knife be careful not cut the foal!!
- make sure your foals presentation is all good... and then get that foal out!

I had a mare that was acting rather odd.. the girls were watching her while i opened some caslicks... I sent them off to move some other mares once i was finished and watched the mare for 5 mins.. thought something was wrong. Put my hand inside - redbag.. rang for help and a vet.. broke the bag but was huge foal and it was upside down!
Took a very long time and 2 very strong blokes and a vet to get the foal out!!! - it was long dead! (eyes were cloudy!) so must of died a day or so beforehand!

BUT there are LOADS of mares that redbag and the foals are absolutely fine!!! Time isn't on your side when dealing with them!!! - If you are quick to feel the redbag and get your foal out.. generally it will be a happy ending!

Unfortunately.. nature is cruel and not all the lovely babies live! -

 

[koeffee]

i lost one last year, old mares first foal, we had lots of problems, she developed a huge odema on her belly which was huge, then a week before, had a bout of colic. we were watching her like a hawk, but the tuesday she foaled i broke my hand, sods law! and spent most of the day in casualty, lady on the yard rang and said something wrong with the mare she was foaling but something not right, jumped in the car took 7 mins, but it was to late, lady was sat with foal still half in the mare crying saying this isnt right, i didnt think, i just got my hands in and ripped a hole and pulled the foal out but i was too late. sad but ***** happens, everything went against me that day.

 

[Whizz105]

Thank you for sharing, I'm sorry to hear your loss, was the mare ok ?

Also the huge odema, is that a factor or just normal for some mares?

 

[koeffee]

we are not sure if she was kicked, but she had a rough 8 weeks before the foal was born, i was just very unlucky. she had a super filly that was one of the best i had bred. very sad but the mare was ok and still is, but she cant have another foal.