Sudden foal death

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sezza

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hello. I would love any ideas on the possible cause of our foal to die. was 3 weeks old very healthy,drinking well etc. we are thinking died of twisted gut but no signs of thrashing just lying dead.slight foam from nose and no passing of feces after death. One thing had us thinking. the mare and foal had been brough into stable yesterday as the vet had come to clean the mare out as she sed she had a cyst inside. the mare was washed inside with kerosene.we thought this may have leacked into the milk? and poisoned the foal? could this be possible. we rung the vet but she said this is a routine wash and would not effect the foal.does anyone else have any ideas?
 
Old shepherd's have a saying, "Some are meant to die". It is very sad and I am sorry to hear about your foal but there is still a lot medical science doesn't know and can't explain. When I kept sheep, this was not a rare occurrence.

Maybe next time do a DIY autopsy? Not a nice thought, I know but sometimes you'll learn by it, sometimes not. When I helped with a pack of hounds, one dropped dead. We opened him up and his heart was like a paper bag, no muscle at all. Just one of those things.
 
I'm so sorry.

There's no way of knowing without an autopsy and possibly tests. 3 weeks is prime time for joint ill though.

I am a bit horrified about the mare being washed out with kerosene I must admit! I take it she had problems passing the after birth?
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your foal. Your poor mare. I wouldn't think a kerosene flush is standard at all. I have heard it used in barren mares, but not on mares with foal at foot (although I'm somewhat clueless). Could you call another vet and ask if they would recommend one in a mare with foal at foot? Don't mention that the foal has died until you hear their answer. As the death occurred so soon after it I would question it.
 
I'm so sorry you have lost your foal, I would want a post mortem for peace of mind.

I have never heard of kerosene being used to wash out a mare or for any other reason in equine practice, are you sure?
 
hayinamanger said:
I have never heard of kerosene being used to wash out a mare or for any other reason in equine practice, are you sure?
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I've heard it being used to treat endometriosis, not sure if its just an old fashioned treatment though. It sounds like something from the dark ages. I don't think its pure kerosene though, think its quite diluted in water. Still sounds horrific though. I wouldn't want it used on my mare, particurarily with a 3 week foal at foot and it being too late in the season to re breed anyway
 
May have been pneumonia; may have been salmonella. Maybe the foal had some internal disorder or defect.

What breed was the foal, as a matter of interest?
 
Is it normal for them not to have a poo after death. we have only ever lost one other foal in all these years and it had feces after death? this is what made us think twisted gut as it had been drinking and there was no sign of feces ,just urine lecking upon pick up.
 
A VET flushed a mare with kerosene? What country are you in? What century did your vet qualify in? On what planet could anyone possibly think that was a good idea?
 
I don't think there is any way the kerosene could have got into the milk but the foal could have easily got kerosene into it's mouth from the process - was the foal still with the mare while this was happening?

I'm another one who has to say I'm horrified that your mare was washed out with Kerosene - my vet certainly wouldn't!
 
just seems odd that the foal was very healthy and even the vet commented on how great it looked then that night after she had been the foal was dead.
 
Oh Sezza, how terrible for you, as I have youngsters and they are like my children. I think the only way you are going to get some comfort, is to have a post mortem that will stop your mind from going mad with questions, what was it? what if?
 
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