Problem w/Filly or just my imagination?

[Coco]

Our filly will be 3 mos old pretty soon. When she was born, she had low immunity levels which caused the Vet concern, so we watched and tended to her closely. We kept her and her mother in a small isolated lot until she was about 7 weeks old...when the Vet said it would be safe to introduce her to a larger area and was "out of the woods" so to speak. She has done great in the larger paddock since we've had her there...it's just her and mom and they have plenty of shade, grass, water trough and a shelter. She's normally pretty fiesty and loves to run and play. But these last couple days I've noticed a change (I think) in her. She just seems lethargic...when mom runs, she walks or sometimes trots but not very much. I hadnt noticed her laying down at all untill this morning after they had ate their grain, she layed down...head up...and then eventually layed on her side like she does when napping. I ran my fingers up her back the way the Vet showed me too, to see if she'd jump up...she has in the past...she perked up and sat up some but didnt try to get up. So I got my whip out and swung it close by her...little reaction....just perked up her ears but no change. Finally mom started to "dance" around and run, only then did I get her up on her feet...this after several minutes. She ran with mom a short distance and then stayed up to go eat hay w/her...but something just seems off. I can't pinpoint it...wondering if I may just be imagining things or something. She's eating completely normal...hay, grain and nursing. I've seen her drinking water too. And seen her poop too...it looks normal. I looked her over, didnt notice anything abnormal at all. She's up to date on shots and wormer. No runny nose or anything. The flies are bothering her a lot, I do know that. The temps here are comfortable...70's today but it's been very rainy...we live in the midwest...but it hasnt rained the last 2 days. So maybe I'm just freaking out over nothing. What do you think? Does slow behavior or being lethargic merit a problem in a foal necessarily?

 

[helmstead]

IMO any time you're concerned, paying for a house call is worth easing your worries - ESP when a foal is concerned.

 

[Crunchie]

Quote:
Yeah, that. Often going with your gut in these types of situations is the right thing to do--even if the logical facts are pointing to nothing at all. Obviously something has you concerned, and me personally, I'd probably try to follow up on that. Maybe not a bad idea to have the vet out for a round of bloodwork.

 

[chickbea]

Quote:
Yup - hopefully you are freaking out over nothing, but better safe than sorry, in my humble opinion...

 

[patandchickens]

Agree with all the previous posters. A vet can check things you can't -- listen to heart and lungs, pull a sample for bloodwork -- and for every time your gut feeling of "ain't right" is incorrect, there will be perhaps five times it is right, some of which may be pretty important.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[farmgirlie1031]

You could always give the vet a call and tell him/her what you think and they can give you advice. I've called the vet before and he gave me advice over the phone for free because he knew I was capable of doing what needed to be done myself without him having to come out.

 

[summerwindsfarm]

Id have the vet check her out too. Esp since her antibodies were low at birth. The fact that she didnt get up when you popped the whip and stuff wouldnt worry me..a foal thats handled a lot gets pretty desensitized by that age..which is a good thing. But that shes *slowly* following her mom would set off warning bells. At this age they ought to be dancing around their mom while she grazes. She *might* just be a laid back foal..ive had some that were. But she might also have a joint problem like septic joints from an infection caused by her low immunity or a developmental joint problem caused by genetics or too much grain or a calcium/phospherus imbalance. Both can be treated if caught early but both have the potential to cause permanent lameness if not treated early so i think if i was you id definitely have the vet out to check her out. As others have said..trust your gut.

 

[onthespot]

If you are a worry wart and keep running your fingers up her back she is getting used to it. Try putting a stone in an empty soda can and toss it on her ribs. If she doesn't budge, I'd say call.