A foal who was born on Father’s Day (15 June) and struggled to feed properly from her dam is now strong and healthy after receiving a plasma transfer.
The filly has been named Babybel and her mother is called Brie, who was taken in by World Horse Welfare earlier this year.
“She simply couldn’t get the hang of [nursing] for ages. Brie is a great mum and was very patient, but Babybel didn’t seem to have any instinct for learning to drink at all, which is really unusual,” said the charity’s Penny Farm centre manager Adam Cummins.
“Once she was 24 hours old, our vets did a blood test that showed she hadn’t taken enough vital nutrients, leaving her without enough immunity to fight infections.”
After some discussion, it was decided that the coloured filly should have a plasma transfer.
“We could have monitored her to see how she progressed over the next few days, but I’ve seen other foals go downhill very quickly in similar situations and so we decided to treat her sooner rather than later,” explained Adam.
Once she’d had the plasma transfer, the difference in the filly foal in just 24 hours was extraordinary, added Adam.
“[Babybel] went from being very lethargic and having no interest in life to being full of energy and a very happy little foal,” he said.
A very lucky pony
Babybel’s mother Brie arrived at Penny Farm as part of a welfare concern that was first reported in April.
“I found several ponies at the site, with one in very poor condition and, sadly, a foal who had already died,” said field officer Sarah Tucker.
“An abandonment notice was put up but no owner came forward, so Brie and four other ponies were signed over to us by the RSPCA and taken to Penny Farm.
“If Babybel had been born at that site there would have been no dedicated staff on hand to provide expert care and make sure she got the specialist veterinary treatment that she needed.
“She really is a very lucky pony to have been born at Penny Farm.
“It’s incredible outcomes like these that are made possible by our supporters.”
Find out how you can support Brie and Babybel, and other horses and ponies like her, here
Main image & video © World Horse Welfare
