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  Discussion on Trying to figure out what my 2 month old Arabian foal has?
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Posted on Monday, May 15, 2000 - 2:21 am:

Here goes the story. Bought a 21 year old mare already pregnant. Vet checked all through pregnancy. Terrific no problems. Had the Vet out at birth to do a new foal exam. Was a fine birth no complications did the normal tests all is well. Joints look a little inflamed so Vet put her on Sulfa for 3 days ( if I remember right). Baby was very strong doing great tons of personality. Couple of weeks later baby has snotty nose (green) but still very playful and happy. Vet puts baby on penicillin shots. Draws blood checking for Rhodococcus. That comes back negative. Take off antibiotics for week and do a traceal wash. Send to lab. Put baby on heavy dose of Nexel. 3cc twice a day. Snot goes from green to clear. Baby still coughs and lots of mucus in nose. Babies disposition goes to depressed, head down standing no desire to move. Use up almost 1 bottle of Nexel. Redraw blood, back to penicillin and also sulfa. Recheck for Rhodococcus and now thinking SCID. Tonight she has a 105.3 temp. Prior to that she has only had low grade fevers. Calling VetGen in morning reguarding a DNA test for her. Wondering if I have time to find anything out befor its to late. Is there anything else we should be considering this could be? I can get all the info on the blood work if you have specific questions. I know we are waiting for the IgG and IgM. I know that the lymphosites (?) should be over 1000 and she is at 43 and that is down since the 1st blood work.
Thanks for any insight you could share. Hoping and praying she isn't SCID. Veronica

Posted on Monday, May 15, 2000 - 7:13 pm:

Hello Veronica,
Be sure you choose antibiotics indicated as efficacious by the TTW's culture and sensitivity. You may want to look at the article on (The Horseman's Advisor: Equine Diseases: Foal Diseases:) Neonatal Septicemia for reommendations on treating foals with infections. Let us know what the lab says.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2000 - 4:27 pm:

DrO,
Taylor passed away the night I wrote you. All the antibiotics where recommended by my vet according to the lab tests. We did manage to get a blood sample off earlier that day and sent in to VetGen for DNA and are waiting for the results. I would need this information to tell me if my mare is a carrier. I have bred her back earlier this year to a different stallion prior to knowing that she may be a carrier. I will also need to get some information on the stallion since she is pregnant.
I love this web sight and will try to read it often. I appreciate you and the others for offering this to us. I value the sacrifices of the vet field and the dedication to some one elses animals that you make.
Thank you sincerely for being here.
Veronica

Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2000 - 2:35 am:

I am so sorry Veronica. Thank you for the kind thoughts.
DrO
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