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Discussion on In-foal mare stocking up when stalled
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Member:
Imogen
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Posted on Monday, Oct 25, 2004 - 5:07 am:
Dear all
Advice would be much appreciated. My 14 yo mare is in foal with her third foal, just about into her 6th month of pregnancy. This mare has a grade 3 systolic heart murmur but has never shown any major problems resulting from the heart murmur (I evented her and hunted her a lot in the past). Whenever she goes to the vet for anything else I always ask them to check her heart just in case of any deterioration. I have been told in the past to watch for ventral swelling and possibly stocking up as signs the heart problem is getting worse.
I just started bringing the horses in at night because the weather has got pretty bad. She is stocking up (mild to moderate) overnight in all four legs. The swelling goes away as soon as she gets back to pasture or gets exercise.
Obviously one answer is to leave her out all the time but I prefer to get her in at night to feed her properly and clean her legs off as she is prone to mud fever (scratches) in the winter).
She did show a small bit of this stocking up just at the end of her last pregnancy but this is a lot earlier on.
Anyone got any experience of similar or any advice? I will take her to the vet if it continues more than a few days adjustment to the new routine. I would also appreciate knowing whether it's likely to be something I should take her to the clinic for or whether I can just call out the vet. Our vet is very good (experienced equine specialist) but has a bad message/telephone system so it is nearly impossible to find out this kind of information in advance... it drives me mad when they come and then tell you they need equipment which requires transporting the horse to the clinic!
All the best
Imogen
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