Primo - Jazza Jessie x Dutchmans Apache

DOB 7/14/2006 approx 4:00 am This sweet little colt is unfortunately six weeks premature. He was due August 24th. I will update on his progress as we go. He is standing and walking, legs are a little bowed and weak. We were bottle feeding him solely yesterday (7/14) but he finally figured out where he was supposed to go on mom about 1:30 am on 7/15/06 so now he is nursing from mom and getting the bottle when gets tired of standing. He did not get the antibodies from moms colostrum that he needed so he is getting a plasma transfusion today(7/15). Hopefully this will be enough to maintain his system and protect him from diseases. He is currently on antibiotics to prevent him from getting any infections. Check back for updates.

7/28/06 Our little boy is doing pretty good, he is 2weeks old today. He spent most of the first weekend on the bottle, but by Monday 7/17/06 was only drinking from mom and wanted nothing to do with the bottle. He was getting Naxcel 5cc. twice a day and Amikacin 10 cc. once a day. along with 500 ml of lactated ringers every 6 six hours IV. We had to take him off the IV last Sunday, because his veins could no longer support having a catheter in. So in turn we had to take him off of the Amikacin, because large amounts of fluids need to be administered along with it to prevent dehydration. We gave him SubQ fluids for a few days until his body adjusted to maintaining its own hydration level. We have been checking his blood and urine every 2 -3 days to monitor his progress, originally his white cell count was up around 50,000, then dropped to just below 49,000,  and is now down almost into the normal range.  We are pretty sure the count was elevated because we were having a hard time getting his umbilical cord to seal off, which was leaving an open doorway for infection, that issue is now mostly under control we dip the umbilical area three to four times each day with betadine and treat as needed with silver nitrate sticks to help cauterize the area.  Originally we were using novalsan, but he seemed to like the taste of that.  He has a low grade heart murmur from the valves not being fully developed, but that seems to be getting better, and an umbilical hernia which is also closing up. He has gained weight and gotten taller, and gained an attitude, which is wonderful at this point.  The main problem at this point is his legs, his back legs are still just weak in the tendons, which should correct themselves as he grows, but his left front seems to have a piece of bone or cartliage floating freely in his knee.  We took X-Rays yesterday and I will be taking him to the vet clinic Monday for more X-Rays and possibly surgery to remove or fix the chip which ever looks like it will work the best for him.  This picture is from 7/19/06, when he was first born he could stand directly under his mother's stomach with no problem.  So he has made progress and rather quickly.

7/31/06 Momma and baby got to take a trailer ride to the vets today.  The vet took a couple more x-rays and did an ultrasound on the left front leg.  The lump we are feeling in there is scar tissue in the tendon area. It is putting pressure on the tendon and causing him pain.  Our vet is not sure if they should operate or not at this point so he will be talking to a radiologist and a specialist to make a more informed decision.  So at this point we will just be wrapping the leg and waiting for more information.

8/19/06  Here we are almost to the official due date. Baby is doing good, the front left leg is still giving him some trouble, we are supposed to keep it wrapped with a splint and limit his activity still.  The specialist thinks he will grow out of the leg trouble in time.  His last blood panel was awesome, the white counts were down around 14,000, and everything was normal.  He is off all antibiotics now, and his body is able to maintain itself.  So at this point we will just continue to monitor his progress. He has grown probably 6 inches since his birth, and put on a good 40 pounds.  When he was born he could stand directly under his mom's belly, now he is so tall he can't even duck to get under.

1/1/2007  "Primo" as we have decided to call  him has done very well, all things considered.  The only issues he seems to have left is a little weakness in his left foot, mainly if he is tired. Here is a updated picture of "Primo", taken today.