If IgG is low what is the treatment and cost?

[motorgypsy]

We've not had one low. If you have please share your experience and the cost for the transfusion or whatever they need???

[Edurne]

I don't know the costs, but I have seen it done many times at the farm and these horses have mega bucks put into them if they so require. Also the vets are extremely good, supportive, and Cristi has been able to take care of many a foal that would have in other cases been hospitalized. She also required lots of support, (feeding her and giving her sleep breaks).

Now for human beings, I believe that my daughter's monthly transfusions cost close to $10,000 a pop.

[Moniece Dickerson]

Shelley said the transfusions for both girls totaled seven hundred something so it should be around three hundred something.I'm sure she'll tell us exactly.I can't remember though if they had to get medication to help them for the after part of the transfusions.She'll tell us forsure.Moniece

[Cindy]

The cost of the transfusion is much lower than the cost of not doing it which can be as high as a lot of money down the drain trying to fight infection and a dead foal. I don't know the actual cost and that would most likely vary from vet to vet. But it would be the difference of a couple hundred dollars now and a live, healthy foal or a couple thousand later and who knows what.

[Terri]

Have we found out that a transfusion is needed?

[Edurne]

yeah - cindy

[Abejita]

it also depends on HOW low..I dont know the exact 'range' they use to decide to use plasma or not off the top of my head, but in some cases I know we have just put the foal on antibiotics for 7- 10 days to act as a prophalactic..The plasma for us I think ran around 300 400 bucks a pop.

[motorgypsy]

No the filly hasn't been tested yet but in the event that she is tested and needs the immunoglobin after 24 hours it is done by transfusion but don't know the cost.

This is good for everyone to know - that it is very cheap within the first 24 hours.

[appyday]

My bill reads (for one foal)



Teki...Exam $20
Office call $10 (both babies)
Xylazine TQ $10
Iv catheter L Jugular $35
Blood admin set $15
1 Liter of immunoglo Plasma $250
------------------------------------------
$340

Dioso.... Exam $20
Xylazine TQ $10
Iv catheter L Jugular $35
Blood admin set $15
1 Liter of immunoglo Plasma $250
Overnight shipping of plasma $40 (she only had one in stock)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
$370


Total of $710

Then they have done total proteins and complete blood profiles 3 X and they are $180 (guess she wont need that) They go back next week.

[Cindy]

Your bills don't add up right, Shelley.


As for the range, they must show 400.

[motorgypsy]

Must be the "New MATH" Cindy ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

[Cindy]

I like that math if I am the one paying the bill. :lol:

[motorgypsy]

Maybe "frequent user discount"????

[appyday]

*fixed* sorry

[Moniece Dickerson]

I am going to look for the #for a lady that swears her vet is THE BEST in the whole area so I can call and ask these questions.I do believe I might try switching to Shane,her vet especially for this since it looks like you all will beable to help me take care of this.Rosalita still looks great and acts great and yep her eyeliner is definitely turning black now :D .I really can not find the words to thank you all enough but i'm gonna try in a post later.Moniece

[PasoJoy]

That's a good idea, Moniece, I think you will feel better about having another opinion on caring for your Rosalita...I know I would! It sure sounds like you are taking the best care of her and I'm sure she can't help but improve with all this love!

[motorgypsy]

One of the vet supply places sells an IgG test for about $20. Does anyone know if the owner can do this or does it require a vet?

[Cindy]

If you can pull the blood from the foal I don't think it would be a problem to do it yourself. I have never looked at the thing that reads the test but they do it right here on the farm.

[Moniece Dickerson]

If i'm thinking right my vet said i'd have to beable to hit the jugular vein and I can't i'd be terrified to even try when I don't know what i'm doing.Sorry.Moniece

[Cindy]

Do you know anyone who could do it for you? If I lived close, I would love to come over and do it for you. Is there anyone there who would be qualified? It needs to be done as soon as possible.

[Carol Nelson]

Moniece, don't even attempt it...get someone who knows what they're doing.

[GeorgeGuns]

Moniece, maybe you ought to go ahead and call that arabian farm, see who they use. I kind of wonder, since hitting the vien on a foal can be tricky, if your won vet is just not admitting that its not his "best thing" and avoiding the issue? Get someone that is GOOD at it and knows the importance of it! I am quite comfy pulling blood or giving IV meds to my big horses (easier than humans!) but I sure won't even try it on a foal. Plus, if a foal decides to get squirrelly, it can take more than two people to get the job done. Please call some folks for help, you really need it.