Two Days Old ...In Need Already!

He was shivering after the plasma treatment. He was tired as well. I covered him with the electric blanket and he was comfy and cozy for his nap.

When the message said newborn foal, rejected by mare...I was ready to run out the door. A baby in need. I could only think YES. I headed up the highway to pick up the little guy in North Georgia. He was already away from his Mom. She never even looked back as he was driven away. The owner didn't realize her newly purchased mare was in foal. What a surprise to wake up Saturday to a little light colored foal. Sadly, the mare wanted nothing to do with her baby. The vet came out and sedated the mare in order to get some much needed colostrum to insure the foals survival. The mare fought it all the way, even under heavy sedation. Maybe to the point of danger for all involved. The foal was given the colostrum milk the blood work was done. The results were not enough antibodies to keep the foal healthy.

When he arrived, I already had the vet scheduled to give the foal plasma to help him overcome problems that can occur with an 'orphaned' foal. He has edema in both back legs but we are hoping the plasma will help remedy that. Volunteers were waiting anxiously to meet him and take pictures. They were like the Paparazzi! How can they help it. He is so cute. He's a Creamello with two blue eyes.

Now it the time I am wondering why I say YES without thinking ahead. Who is coming to feed him every 2 hours? Me! I am OK with it though. I have some volunteers ready to help several nights starting Wednesday. I will be ready for them by Wednesday. I will look like a Zombie for the next few days but I will have done my best to save this little guy. If you are a night owl or an early riser, let me know and we will schedule you in to feed. It's easy. Hold the bottle and he does the rest.

We are calling him Moonbeam R Walker. He will not be able to be out in a pasture during the sunny days, not with those baby blue eyes. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is quick to hurt light eyed horses. Why take the chance? I can tell you a couple of heart breaking Squamous Cell stories. We did do surgery at Auburn and saved a handsome Shire gelding. The adopter was so quick to see the problem, it turned out successful. That was a happy story. More to come soon.