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  Discussion on Now thinking colt has been bitten by dogs
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Posted on Friday, Apr 21, 2000 - 6:54 pm:

When the colt was taken to the equine hospital/school in Auburn, Alabama, they diagnosed NI. Now they are saying the blood tests are not conclusive of NI. And they think the wounds are indicative of dog bites and since the foal didn't have adequate antibodies, has gotten severely anemic, with a PCV of 16 after two transfusions; his legs have obviously infected wounds (?); after this next transfusion the decision to put him down will have to be made. If anybody has any knowledge of this problem, please respond ASAP. Thanks.

Posted on Saturday, Apr 22, 2000 - 6:56 am:

Hello Wendy,
I am sorry to hear about your foal. Back up one and there is an article on NI. Did you have a specific question?
DrO

Posted on Monday, Apr 24, 2000 - 8:23 pm:

My specific question(s)is: is there a definitive lab test for NI? Are there other lab measures in addition to the PCV? The colt's PCV is 14 now and they washed the mare's RBCs (mainly because I quoted your article regarding this and the owner asked the resident vets -- prior to that time, the mare's washed RBCs for the two previous transfusions were not considered!) My next question is how can NI be confused with dog bites? In other words, would puncture wounds typical of dog bites be a "picture" of a NI foal; would it be consistent with the diagnosis of NI? (The owner has "chicken wire" fencing all around for the very purpose of keeping out dogs/coyotes; and it is very questionable that a dog got to the baby.) Also, the foal had very loose pasterns upon birth -- they were literally flat to the ground. Is this some indication of NI? I would like information from anybody who has experienced this problem. Thank you.

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 25, 2000 - 6:37 am:

It is not just the low PCV but also the high preportion of hemoglobin to the PCV that is very suggestive of hemolysis. When this condition is identified in a newborn there are very few other diseases likely to cause a hemolytic anemia in a newborn.

I have no idea how this could be confused with a dog bite. There are no wounds with simple NI and a dog bite would not result in a hemolytic anemia, perhaps a blood loss anemia but these are differentiated in the lab work bu the high preportin of hemoglobin. Flexor tendon laxity is a pretty common finding in foals without NI.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 27, 2000 - 11:57 pm:

The colt's PCV is up to 20 after transfusing with the mare's washed blood (from 14). His WBCs are high (don't know count) and RBCs low (again, don't know exact). He is running a fever, but still nursing. He is 3 weeks old. This is not a pasture bred horse for the fun of it. He has or had potential. What would you do? Such a rare condition. Yet, dog bite vs. NI???????? Would you send him somewhere else? What would you do??

Posted on Friday, Apr 28, 2000 - 7:25 am:

Wendy,
I am not there so I cannot make these judgements. You might try just sitting down with him in a quiet place where you won't be interrupted and discuss your concerns. But if you have no confidence in those treating your foal you should move him. You, your foal, and even the veterinarian (though he may not know it at first) will be better off.
DrO

Posted on Monday, May 1, 2000 - 10:44 pm:

The foals PCV DrOpped to 12, he was dehydrated and very weak. He was euthanized Sunday morning. Oh how I wish something could have been done. His owner lost her husband on a skiing trip March 7th and this colt was her "HOPE". What a loss. The four year old daughter (Caroline) said to me when the foal was born (3 weeks after her daddy died): "I am going to keep this baby for the rest of my life". And on that day, she told me: "I am going to bring my baby over to play with your white baby" (refering to my palomino filly). Today, Caroline said:
"My daddy gave me this shirt." Caroline ignored the mare we were focused on. My heart and soul cries for this family. Any of you who may be listening (reading), I appreciate your understanding. Horses were their only family interest (and they are well known as prime breeders), yet somehow this colt's death so soon after Cliff's (father/husband) death, seems so cruel.

To all of you reading this, please forgive my somber writings. Somehow, it has helped tremendously to "talk" to this board about an issue that is difficult to discuss with the dear people involved. I'll go and post about the mare's bag in the proper forum. Thanks again.

Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2000 - 7:01 am:

How incredible sad, what could have been a bolstering experience has deepened these folks sadness.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2000 - 7:04 am:

Wendy,
Why don't you print out some of the condolences from the other posts on experiences with a horse dying, some are very good and seemed to have helped others.
DrO
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