URGENT HELP ABNORMAL FOAL WITH VIDEO & PICS???

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lisa_dundee

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Had a stunning massive coloured filly born a week ago with severely contracted hind tendons, the back fetlock was totally knuckled over backwards, we had to hold her up for feeds 24/7, but as she got stronger she was trying to get herself up and when she managed she was bunny hopping round the stable on her joint so we bandaged her feet up tight and straight so she couldn't keep falling on to the joint knuckles and after leaving the bandages on for one day and one night, she can now get her self up for feeds and her feet are the right way round (she is stood on her hooves), however the problem is she move her hind legs independently, the legs stay together and she bunny hops. The vets main concern is her other problem that she can not move her tail at all or lift it to wee and poo, she is basically incontinent and wees and poos on herself when she lays down. She has made so much progress in a week however the vet feels it is neurological and spinal damage and to give her a week and if the is not major improvement to put her to sleep. Has anyone else experienced anything like this please? Feedback welcome good or bad??


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPFRslHrlxM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
 
Speak to Sallyf. She's on this forum, or you can google her at Groomsbridge Stud.

Not that I know what I'm talking about, but she doesn't look that bad to me. :o What does your vet say?

I love the idea of the harness, or "Lifting gear"!! An otherwise smart foal, I think. Good luck.

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
Speak to Sallyf. She's on this forum, or you can google her at Groomsbridge Stud.

Not that I know what I'm talking about, but she doesn't look that bad to me. :o What does your vet say?

I love the idea of the harness, or "Lifting gear"!! An otherwise smart foal, I think. Good luck.

Alec.
Click to expand...

We had to use a dog harness as she was so heavy lol, the vet thinks there is spinal damage and to put her to sleep, he thinks its nuerological thanks
 
what a shame! fingers and toes crossed for your beautiful wee girl.

maybe p. "wonkeydonkey" she has a post in new lounge, and her foal had what sounds to be the same problem with the hind fetlocks- no idea if they experienced the same regarding tail/leg movements?

please let us know how she is doing. huge vibes for her. ;)

ets that should have been "wonkey_donkey"

xx
 
whisp&willow said:
what a shame! fingers and toes crossed for your beautiful wee girl.

maybe p. "wonkeydonkey" she has a post in new lounge, and her foal had what sounds to be the same problem with the hind fetlocks- no idea if they experienced the same regarding tail/leg movements?

please let us know how she is doing. huge vibes for her. ;)

ets that should have been "wonkey_donkey"

xx
Click to expand...

Thanks I have posted on that thread to ask if her foal had movement in its tail and independent leg movement x
 
It may simply be a lack of strength through the back end, perhaps - and as the legs strengthen, so will the whole area?

Such a beautiful little thing - I wish you every luck with her.
 
Definitely keep foalie stabled, if necessary for weeks. Looking at the vid, any movement she makes is in "canter" as this is what she manages best, but you need to discourage that movement, so if stabled this would help any movement to be slower. Don't despair, she could come right, and if you have the funds I would certainly be asking for a second opinion. Otherwise, be prepared for a long waiting game. Please keep us updated.
 
Not sure if this helps but a friend of mine's foal was born with very contracted tendons on its front legs. For the first few days couldn't stand at all and had to be fed by milking the mare and feeding with a bottle. Then some splints were made for the front legs which meant it could stand and feed itself. Now he is a 17hh brute and you would never know he had had a problem. Obviously you have the added complication of the possible neurological damage. i would also go with a second opnion if at all possible. Have you given Newmarket a call just to sound them out. A phone call doesn't cost anything.
She looks lovely so hopefully it all works out.
 
I don't know anything about such things but I just wanted to say she's beautiful and I hope it resolves itself and improves and she makes it.
 
Ankylosing spondelitis perhaps? What a shame, its a beautiful foal. There was another case on a website I visit just this week - same thing, huge foal, slightly premature, massively contracted tendons behind so that it could only hop on the top of its fetlocks. The vets all concluded it was hopeless (the splints were causing further problems) and the owner rightly heeded their advice and had the filly put down within the week. I think the dangers of having very large foals needs to be examined more closely.
 
I don't know if this will help at all, but the answer in the second link is interesting.

http://horsedoc_org.tripod.com/id178.htm
http://www.justanswer.com/horse-health/3sr4q-warmblood-colt-developed-epiphysitis.html

Sounds like the major concern here is the neuro damage. Assuming that she has neuro damage this could easily be detected by xrays, or in worse case scenario by a myelogram if a myelogram could be carried out on such a young and small animal (risks are general anaethetic). At least you would have a correct diagnosis and would then know where you stand.
 
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She's beautiful & hopefully will improve as she gets stronger. I have no experience of this condition so can't offer any advice. Is it worth getting 2nd opinion?
 
Our intention was to give her more time but sadly she has weakened and begun dragging her back end round
And we feel this is unfair so have made the heart breaking decision to put her to sleep, thankyou for all your kind comments and input x
 
I am so sorry you have had to make this decision, she was such a stunning little filly.... but I do think it was the right thing to do in view of all the comments and advice you received. Such a terrible shame. Hugs xxxx
 
So devastating for you. Had a big black colt with wobbler syndrome which (under vet's advice) we persevered with until he was 6 months old, he had lack of co-ordination not quite the same as your girl but unfortunately the outcome was the same.
These decisions never seem right at the time as they are painful ones but we have to be brave & think of the animals.
 
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