Urgent Foal Advice

J

Jasperboy

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History of this foal: Bought from a dealer mth ago was ment to be 6 mths, got pass port back she is 3 mths, we have been feeding her milk pellets, foal mix and hay, problem is last week she looked very rounded in the belly so we gave her a 5 day wormer (panacure) no worms have been passed and she is still rounded and off her food, she is very depressed in her self, she just seams to be un happy is there any thing more i can do for her? we have a colt who is 4 mths (bought at same time) he seams to be doing ok

thank you
 
Could you not tell the foal was much younger? There is a lot of difference between a 6 month and a 3 month old foal.

Get your vet out immediately for an investigation if the poor foal isnt eating......
 
Oh poor little thing!
3 months is far too soon to be weaned! Her gut isn't designed to live wholly off hard feed yet. people that sell foals like this make me so angry (not at you but the dealer that sold her)
Have you had your vet check her over? Foals go down hill very quickly and if she is off her food I would have the vet check her over and recommend how to best feed her.
I would also be concerned about your colt as he too is far too young.

Good Luck
 
put 2 foals in same stable, will cheer her up and he will learn her all. you are doing all you can, check with vet, but milk nuts maybe mixed with other nuts if nt used to taste. but i would mix 2 foals then she will be happier, also put a big feeding barrel and let 2 feed together, just till she gets on to it then give her own food barrel. they learn from each other. goodluck
 
and another..

Panacur 5 day equine guard is a good wormer to use for redwoms and pin worms but foals tend to suffer from ascarids (roundworm) and if she has a worm burden the classic sign is the pot belly.
You need to use an Ivermectin based wormer to treat for them BUT I would first have the vet out.
 
foals are in same stable, have one big food bowl and to smaller ones so they have a choice, vet said they can come later so holding on
 
have you a friendly old gelding, that will play nurse mum. my old gelding is great to mix when foals come of mum, because foal sort of looks up to him and wants to learn more. this is a tough one, i worm with bimection, but never ues a wormern less that 10 days apart. is she eating anything? keep us updated what vet thinks, as this is a interesting thread and want to see how foals works out, hope she comes round, nothing worse worrying bout a foal, and feeling helpless. you have done everything so hope vet recommends something.
 
I'd get vet out asap, I've seen potbellied foals before that have had serious worm damage and scarring in their guts from just a very poor start and heavy worm burden, they do grow but never reach their full potential. But I'd be worried if a foal that young is depressed there must something very wrong, plus they were both taken from mum way too early which will also set them back a good bit. They're going to need lots of TLC over winter and very good haylage but I'd be wary feeding them milk pellets as if they've been off their mum for a while they loose the enzymes needed to digest the milk proteins - ask your vet when he comes out - don't change their feed or anything until the vet has been but just ask him and maybe contact a nutritionist afterwards.
Never buy a foal in the summer as chances are it won't be old enough to be weaned.
 
foal is passing very small droppings hardly any thing but she hasnt eaten since last nice she normally have 4 meals a day (little and often) her belly has swollen a little more and seams very hard
 
Can I ask what experience you have with foals?

They really could do with an older 'nanny' with them or you could end up with big problems as they grow. You are, in effect, trying to look after two ''orphan'' foals. A difficult job for even the most experienced breeder.

I was wondering if there was a stud or similar close to you that may be able to help? Roughly where are you based?
 
just been with the vets, not colic guts are over active if any thing so they have taken blood to test for kidney and liver problems, may be a infection some were, so have to wait for the bloods then go from there, worried as her tummy is swollen and rounded.
 
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