Newborn foal with deformed foot; advice please

[wildoak]

Oh my, sure hope your vet is able to help. Does he have any thoughts as to what caused it?

Jan

 

[Matt73]

Looks like that foot was pressed against something for a while and grew like that (awkward position). Uuughh. Hope it all works out.

 

[Dunhorse]

Swd,

I am so sorry to hear about your foal's foot. I will be praying that the tetracycline works to relax her joint. I do want to ask, did the vet take an X-ray to see if the joint is possibly fused or if it is purely a tendon issue? That would give you a better idea of her prognosis for recovery.

Best of luck and (((Hugs)))

Tracy

 

[Allure Ranch]

[SIZE=12pt]My best suggestion.... I know that you don't reside in Texas. However, we have an excellent specialist that we've utilized and if it were me I'd contact him regarding a referral/recommendations in your area that he may know. His facility is Hill Country Equine and his name is David Dutton, D.V.M. P.C. His number is (830) 336-3600.[/SIZE]

If nothing else he may be able to consult with your vet regarding the necessary care that would be required.

I hope this may help....

 

[nnadams]

I am so sorry for your little filly. Hopefully the shots to relax the tendons and some physical therapy will help. Maybe even a corrective boot eventually if the tendon can be relaxed enough. I would recommend bottle feeding, too, if she is still having trouble nursing on her own. I know that is pretty much discouraged because of fear that she will never learn to nurse on her own, but I have had a couple of foals that I have bottle fed to keep strong until they could nurse on their own. They both went on to nurse from their mothers with no problem. God gave them the sucking reflex, and they want to use it for comfort as well as nurishment. Tube or syringe feeding is not very comforting. I hope everything turns out well for you and your filly. Please keep us posted.

 

[Katiean]

Prayers for youur baby. I don't know what I would do if I had a baby like that. I am so so so sorry for you and your baby. I hope you can do something for her.

 

[disneyhorse]

Ohhhhhh.... I am SO sorry that you are going through this. I haven't seen a deformity like that. I would venture a guess that surgery would be the best option, I can't see injections relaxing tendons to that degree. I'd guess the sooner you can get a surgery performed the better the prognosis for your little one to develop and grow correctly.

Good luck, whatever path you choose...

Andrea

 

[swd]

Thank you all so much for your comments and concerns. It really means a lot to me. Keep the prayers coming. The little filly is still strong and is trying to nurse but it is hard work for her to keep her balance long enough to latch on. She drank several ounces of colostrum from a syringe and was able to nurse from mom a little with us balancing her. We have her back feet splinted so she will not be walking on the end of the bone in her leg. We will be checking on her and feeding her throughout the night. Vet has not taken any x-rays yet, trying the injections first. Hopefully they will relax the tendon and the foot will be able to straighten out then. When we changed the splint tonight it seemed that we were able to move the foot more than earlier today. Thank you all for your prayers.

 

[SaddleTrail]

Good luck on that pretty baby. I m hoping that everything turns out as it should. If not then our blessings and prayers are with you to make the right decision. huggs ~S~

 

[Becky]

Sara, I'll keep my fingers crossed for better news in the morning. Hang in there!

 

[Miniv]

Blessings and Prayers for your little one. We have seen leg problems at birth, but this is a new one. The posts that mentioned surgery may be right, especially if the joint is fused in that position.......and an x-ray would probably be the best way to tell. No matter what, you have some long nights and rough decisions ahead. Please let us know how it's going......

 

[Basketmiss]

I sure hope there is a fix for your baby, please keep us updated on her..

 

[Ridgerunner]

We had a foal born with contracted tendons last year, however not nearly as bad as your little girl, but our vet gave her a shot of Vit.E/Selenium, and there was dramatic improvement in 24 hours. As a feisty little yearling now, you'd never know anything was ever wrong! I surely hope your little girl has the same outcome!

Melba

 

[RockRiverTiff]

My heart goes out to you and your precious little fighter filly. I hope you and your vet will be able to see her through this.

 

[Jill]

You and your filly have lots of prayers coming from our place! I am so sorry this has happened!!!

 

[Epona Stable Belgium]

Also from overseas I'm sending you all my prayers for this little girl!!!

I hope that with the injection the tendon will relax and get his normal place back!

I hope she will get better soon...

Good luck!!!

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

PLease call your vet back about this imediatley.

Besides the injections, the foal will need physical therapy by YOU and whoever goes into that stall many times a day.Ask your vet before starting this. though. I am not a vet.

You gently to gently stretch the foot towards the nromal position, just a little at a time so that no tendons get torn, pulling too hard or too suddenly can rip a tendon.

GENTLY and many times a day. Every chance you can.... Gently try to position the foot, ankle into the proper position. As the injections relax the tendons, it will get easier but this will not correct itself unless you do these exercises.

But speak with you vet first. I am not a vet but I have personal experience with this problem

I had a colt just like this and took him to a hospital but the tendon got torn due to vigorous pulling and the foal needed splinting. Ended up perfect though without a limp and perfect conformation.

Good luck,

Robin

 

[Connie P]

Many prayers being said for your little girl. I sure hope that her tendon relaxes and she is able to nurse and run and play on her own soon.

ray

 

[REO]

I'm so sorry about your baby girl! I agree with Ridgerunner and RobinRTrueJoy. Maybe those things will help! I'm sending prayers to you and your filly! {{{{Hugs}}}}

 

[Magic]

Oh, your poor baby! I'm sorry that you all have such a challenge to deal with, and will be praying for her and sending positive thoughts. Good luck!