A Baby Boomer Dreams of Arabian Horses - The Legacy Continues - Part 4

Part 1 of the Legacy Continues

The vet and I did manage to get the transfusion into the new filly. Her second round of IgG scores was close to 1600 so that was one less thing to worry about. It looked like we were in good shape.

However, by the end of the week, the filly had spiked a fever. The newborn Arabian foal was lethargic and running a temperature that was fluctuating between 102° and 105°. She still seemed to be nursing OK but things just didn't look good.

My vet checked her over thoroughly. But he couldn't figure out what was going on. Neither of us was comfortable with her temperature. It was time to bring in the big guns. The filly and her mom were headed for the Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital in Snohomish, WA. immediately.

I can't even tell you what it felt like to have to load that mare and her newborn foal into the trailer. Heiress hadn't been in a horse trailer since that day she had come to live at my farm. I didn't even know if she would load but the mare went in like she'd been doing it her whole life. I carried her filly in my arms and laid her at the mare's feet. Heiress seemed to know that something was wrong.


The trip to transport them to the hospital was a blur. I just couldn't get it through my head that this was even happening. My denial was wrapped around me like a blanket protecting me from the pain. When I did think, all I could think of was that precious little foal. Thoughts of losing her bounced in and out of my head like ping pong balls bouncing off of walls. It was a terrifying trip.

Once a Pilchuck, the docs swooped in and scooped up my filly before I could get my parking brake set. In no time the mare and foal were settled into the intensive care unit.

Blood draws were done along with a bunch of other tests. An IV was started as well. I'd have given anything to see any signs of foal wrestling. But there were none. The filly was too sick to put up a fight. My heart sank. She was definitely declining.

Through all of the commotion, Heiress was a champ. She seemed to understand they were taking care of her baby. She stood back and watched everything they did. She wore the most forlorn look on her face but she was careful to stay out of their way. She didn't try to escape out the door either, she just stood watch over her sick foal.

It seemed like hours before they had anything to say. The problem was, they really had nothing to say. They had no idea why the beautiful filly was so sick. So far none of the tests had disclosed any useful information. It was time for me to go home. There was nothing more I could do. I just had to trust she was in good hands.

To be continued.............

The Legacy Continues Part 5