Will she be early?

S

sarah and hatty

Active Member
Joined
22 June 2012
Messages
39
Visit site
Hi everyone

My maiden mare is day 305 at mo but has had udder development for the last 3 weeks, it is really very swollen now and had milk dripping for about 10 days, she looks like shes about to pop!

I know we have to get to at least 310 days but im worried is going to come soon, day 340 isn't until 16th June and i cant see her going that long. Is this normal or does it sound like she will be early? I thought i wouldn't have to worry about monitoring her too much until at least 1st June but now im getting concerned!

I wasn't going to milk test, have got a camera to stable and was going to hire foaling alarm nearer time,

Any advice/experience people comments gratefully recieved!
 
I would be phoning the vet plus based on my experience def milk test. I found it brilliantbin predicting. Roo didnt look ready to go but the milk testing said she was and 4 nights later we have a foally.

I really hope everything is ok but talk tothe vet
 
Please contact your vet, we lost a foal last year born a month early and mare showing unusual signs, not the same ones as your mare though.
 
ok thanks, now im worried! A vet did see her last week when she gave her her flu/tet and she was suprised to see how close she was looking but just said to keep an eye on her, think i will give my normal vet a ring though!
Keep you posted!
 
Very definitely ring your vet - sooner rather than later. Placentitis is responsible for about a third of all premature deliveries/late abortions - and early development of the udder is one of the signs!

Of course, she MIGHT just be about to foal early because the foal has got a bit big for comfort - and she figures it's ready - but it's not worth risking a 'wait & see' approach because prompt treatment for placentitis can solve a serious problem.
 
Couldn't seen any thickening in the bit he scanned so fingers crossed... shes on antibiotics anyway, counting the days now, just hoping we can get to 320!
 
sarah and hatty said:
Couldn't seen any thickening in the bit he scanned so fingers crossed... shes on antibiotics anyway, counting the days now, just hoping we can get to 320!
Click to expand...

She's what - 309 days now. Chances are good - even if she has a bit of placentitis. The earliest I have had was 317 days - big, strong filly with no problems. Watch her like a hawk though!
 
Thanks for that, 310 days now, I'm watching her every night and now got foaling alarm on! Another week would be good so I know the foal has a better chance but im in trouble if she ends up going a few more weeks, am shattered already!
 
Is she still running milk or have the A/B's helped? If she is running milk it's worth finding the location of the nearest frozen colostrum in case you need it. some vets keep it or it may be that you need to contact the nearest stud.
 
HBM1 said:
If she has run milk that far ahead of foaling will the colostrum be ok you think Janet?
Click to expand...

|It's very hard to say - because the amount the run CAN be very deceptive (looks more than it actually is - try putting a jug under a mare who's streaming milk - I've done it and was AMAZED at how long it took to get half a pint. Worth talking to the vet though about testing the foal's antibodies.
 
Wierdly the last 2 days she hasn't run as much, more a drip on the end of a teat or the odd splash on the leg, would that be the antibiotics I hadn't linked that?! Good point about looking into frozen colostrum, is there any way of telling before hand or straight afterwards if i need it?
Day 311 now....
 
sarah and hatty said:
Wierdly the last 2 days she hasn't run as much, more a drip on the end of a teat or the odd splash on the leg, would that be the antibiotics I hadn't linked that?! Good point about looking into frozen colostrum, is there any way of telling before hand or straight afterwards if i need it?
Day 311 now....
Click to expand...

Vets should do a blood test shortly after birth. This will show immediately if foal has reduced immunity. Sometimes this then needs a plasma transfusion. Sounds scary but very routine.

Maybe make a list of all your questions and phone the vet for a chat. They won't mind and would rather you were informed than worried.
 
I had a strong filly born a few years ago at 315 days due to the sudden onset of placentitis, fingers crossed your mare holds on as long as possible.
 
oh yes thanks was aware of the blood test and transfusions just wondered if there was any other way of knowing before hand, thanks fluffy bunny, glad to hear your filly was strong, fingers crossed mine stays in a bit longer! x
 
You can use a Brix refractometer which runs from 0-32ish% (or a purpose-made colostrometer) to check colostrum quality at the time of foaling. That's no guarantee that the foal has got enough, or absorbed enough, but it is nice to know what you're working with! I have also heard of people using antifreeze testers, but never done it myself, so can't be of help in how to do it.

Here's a bit of a how-to:

http://www.arssales.com/refractometer.html
 
AJBliss said:
You can use a Brix refractometer which runs from 0-32ish% (or a purpose-made colostrometer) to check colostrum quality at the time of foaling. That's no guarantee that the foal has got enough, or absorbed enough, but it is nice to know what you're working with! I have also heard of people using antifreeze testers, but never done it myself, so can't be of help in how to do it.

Here's a bit of a how-to:

http://www.arssales.com/refractometer.html
Click to expand...

Interesting - would this work?? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brix-Hand...843?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20cf9e230b
 
Yes, I think that would work fine. Amazon has loads of them too, all around that price range. The values you are looking for are in the article I linked to, and all you need are a couple of drops of colostrum on the lens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top