Help again!!! I have a 12 year old broodmare, Belle, that is in liver failure. Belle was overweight but lost some before she foaled. I kept thinking she had ADR (ain't doin' right), but couldn't put my finger on it. I know, should have gone to the vet, but it's 50 miles from here in Bakersfield, and I didn't want to haul her that far in this heat. Anyway, last Monday she had a pretty little chestnut filly. When my mares foal, I keep them in a large pen with a run-in shelter for a day or two, until I am sure everything is okay and the foal is steady on its feet. But Belle wouldn't eat, drink, poop or pee. She didn't appear to be in any discomfort, but was overly anxious about her baby. So into the vet. At first he thought she had an impaction and treated her for that. No change, Then he did some blood work and found that she is hypo glycemic, and her liver was failing. This was because she was overweight and her liver couldn't process all the fat going through when she lost weight. And this was made worse by producing milk. Brought Belle home yesterday because she was extremely nervous at the vet's. Prognosis is unknown. The vet said to try and get her to eat and drink, take her for walks about 15 minutes three times a day, and cross your fingers. He said there are treatments but he has never seen them work. Belle is eating and drinking a little, still no poop or pee this a.m.. Need to wean the baby, hopefully I can get one of my other mares to take her, but if not will have to bottle feed.
Anyone, please, if you have any suggestions let me know. Any tips on getting another mare to accept this baby? If I have to bottle feed, can she have goat milk? Is there a horse laxative I can get Belle to take? I thought I new a lot about brood mares and the problems they can develop, but I had never heard of this. The vet said it is common in mini's and shetlands, but he hadn't seen it in Icelandics. Then again, mine are the only Icelandics he has seen. Again, thanks for any advice. Janet Caliente, California
