Scabby foal... the story so far, and update...

[PapaFrita]

This was Scabby Foal when he was scabby. Not even a month old.
Very thin and down on fetlocks

This was SF on the road to recovery (from his skin condition, at least) after I sent some sneaky photos to the vet and managed to get her to look at him when she was on the yard for jabs. 1mth old

A few weeks later... putting on a bit of weight (not nearly enough, but bear in mind mare was VERY thin)

And today... Looking awful and wormy.

This morning I suggested to groom that we try milking PF and giving him some of her milk. Groom said, how about we try to get him to nurse from her. So, we gave it a shot. PF was initially reluctant, but then grumpily stood still. However, SF
was absolutely not interested

Then I thought we should try mixing his milk with some oats, and so we tried that, and he absolutely loved it, so I'm very happy about that. I gave him 3 small meals today and I'm sure he had LOADS more milk than he's ever consumed so far. He also has grass and alfalfa, so I'm feeling a bit more positive for him.
I've also managed to convince the groom to worm him. He looks VERY wormy to me, and I'm pretty sure his mum wasn't wormed. Would it be safe to worm him with Equimax? What kind of a worm burden is he likely to have? Could it hurt him to worm in one go, or should we take it in stages?
Suggestions/advice welcome.
Thanks

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

O well done PF!! just getting some food in him is a start. I don't know about worming foals - ask in breeding I'm sure they will know the best way forward - I think you will have to be careful as I think it can make them colic. Keep up the feed though - the stronger he is the better chance he has got. Bless him - just want to give him big cuddles!!

 

[PapaFrita]

When he's a bit stronger I'm putting him with PF and the Little Cigar. LC thinks he's wonderful, but SF is a bit scared of him at the moment! (can't say I blame him)

Re. Worming; yes, I'm a bit worried about colic.
I'll copy into Breeding

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Its sounds promising! will be nice if they become friends - I'm sure PF will appreciate the break!!

Poor SF must be so confused at the moment.

 

[somethingorother]

poor baby, well done to you and your generous PF for sharing milk though. hope he's ok, keep us updated. What did the vet say about his scabs?

 

[Ravenwood]

Oh PF, poor little mite

Thank God you have intervened. Where is the owner in all this?

 

[PapaFrita]

Well owner DID get vet out and provided milk for foal and drip for mare (poor girl) sadly neither was administered with enough care or regularity...
Owner, I think, is in denial or perhaps doesn't much care what happens to the foal

 

[PapaFrita]

[ QUOTE ]
poor baby, well done to you and your generous PF for sharing milk though. hope he's ok, keep us updated. What did the vet say about his scabs?

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh, she didn't donate in the end; owner got some powdered milk a week or so ago which foal won't drink and I don't think the grooms tried very hard

The scabs are actually much better, but as you can see, the hair has grown very tufty. I'm hoping it'll even out when the seasons change again.

 

[Sugarplum Furry]

I've just had a read up on wormers for foals, Eqvalan Duo is alright for foals from 2 months old, and Strongoid P is also fine for foals from 4 to 6 weeks old, and it's very likely that Little Chap has got a big roundworm burden is the dam wasn't wormed. Also it's vital that you do worm him if he's going to be in with Little Cigar, as the worms will transfer from foal to foal easily.

That's brilliant that you've hit on the idea of mixing the milk and oats....genius!!

Do you know, I wake up in the night worrying about that little foal. Bonkers. Do I worry like that about my own horses, or if we can pay the mortgage this month, or the state of the world economy ? No, do I heck...I worry about a small thin scabby foal thousands of miles away. I think I might need therapy.

 

[AmyMay]

Oh dear PF - what an appalling state of affairs.

Well done for stepping in - I'll be amazed if it survives without your care....

 

[PapaFrita]

Oh, I worry about the foal, the stable cats, other people's horses... It gets quite exhausting sometimes!!

 

[PapaFrita]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh dear PF - what an appalling state of affairs.

Well done for stepping in - I'll be amazed if it survives without your care....

[/ QUOTE ]
Doesn't he look absolutely dreadful?

Hopefully I've intervened in time! He's certainly a fighter!

 

[lilym]

poor little lad........I know this might sound a bit harsh, but if it were me, I would worm him with the equimax and risk the colic....if he is allowed to get a bigger burden of worms it will possibly kill him anyway so he has nothing to lose, Equimax is safe in foals from 2 weeks of age. I had a foal from the sales that looked worse than him, which i wormed with equimax, and the worms which came out were unreal.....he didn't colic, but did look a little tucked up for a few days....Good luck, and i'm so pleased you are watching out for the little man.

 

[PapaFrita]

Worse than this foal?

BLIMEY!!! That must've been a sight to behold!! I did think Equimax would be fine (actually, I've been using it on the Little Cigar) Have emailed my Vet Uncle just to make absolutely sure

 

[Rollin]

My supplier recomends Eraquelle for young foals. It is an Ivermectin - just check that what you give is OK for one of 3 months.

Keep up you wonderful work. If he pulls through just think how doubly wonderful that will be.

HUGS

 

[lilym]

YES!! WORSE!! the poor little thing had scoured all down it's back legs and had ammonia burns to his legs and a huge oozing abcess on his left haunch......he is doing fine now in a loving home, how he ended up in that state i don't know, he was exceptionally well bred, well put together, so nothing like alot of meat money jobs.....there was something about him that made us buy him..(he was sold to us outside the sale ring as he was in such a poor state they wouldn't let him go in the ring....)