This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/25/99 6:58:37 Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< If there is anything i need to do other than iodine on the cord stump, let me know guys, This is our first one. He hasnt nursed yet and its been two hours, im a little concerned about that, but I will go out now and work on that >> First, congratulations! Fjord babies are the best! I'm sure someone else will come on and tell you a lot of the same, but make sure the placenta is all there. If you can get a vet to come out, save it in a bucket of water for him to go over, otherwise, (don't know how far away from things you are in your part of Montana) go over it bit by bit and be certain that there is nothing left in the mare. If so, could be major infection brewing. Also, if you have the vet around, later in the day, have him draw blood and check for antibody levels. If your baby hasn't had enough colostrum, there is a limited window that you have to get the colostrum in there. Probably by now your foal has nursed? Yes? If not, try milking just a little out of the mare, rubbing it on her bag, a little on your fingers, and help guide the baby there. Usually once they get a taste, you're out of the woods. The vet also checks for cleft palate on a routine basis, and gives some couple of injections the first day. That's all I can think of now, but I know others will fill you in on more. In the meantime, enjoy your baby! Pamela
