I do not have experience in Dr. Arnold's facilities, but if they are as close to his mobile professionalism, then wow!
I had a POA mare in foal that I had been taking to another equine vet. I made it very clear that I would want them to have a full check up when she foaled. When she foaled out -we missed it-of course; therefor we were not on hand to apply the iodine immediately. I called the vet right away at 8:oo a.m.; I did not see the vet until 7:00 P.m.. (at which time he charged me for an after hours visit)
I told him prior and when he showed up that the mare was very nervous and circling the filly. That the filly seemed unusually sedate.
He sedated the mare, at which time I believed he would preform an exam on the filly at least. He then leaned over, gave the filly a shot, and walked out. I asked him, ""aren't you going to take a look at my filly""? He glanced back and said ""she""s fine"" and left.
She WAS NOT fine. By the next day she had milk face and the runs. She was also quite lethargic.
My farrier recommended Dr. Arnold. When I called I had but to mention that I had a sick 1 day old filly; and he was on his way.
He gave her a full exam, including checking for absorbtion of antiboties through the colostrum, and blood work. Upon taking her temperature, we were able to see that she indeed had a fever and an infection. As she was now to lethargic to eat, he and his assistant tubed her. He then spoke with both my husband and I, and then the trainer/owner of the barn, with instructions, medications, and what ifs....
Each following day for a week, I would call him and leave an update on his voice mail. Each time within the space it takes to listen to a voice mail, he would call back confirming and further guiding.
My filly is an amazing, gentle, sweet 12 week old baby! I cannot imagine not having her.
All life is precious, but this mare had been bred 7 times to achieve this foal....that's almost 14 years of waiting for the temperament, color, and sex. Can you imagine how lucky we felt when the baby finally arrived?
Can you imagine how upset we were to see her sick and have our vet not take us seriously?!?!
---but Dr. Arnold did, and further more, he saved her life!
I may have come off overprotective, but I did my research and watched my filly like a hawk, and when it came time for a vet to listen, Dr Arnold listened.
My only regret is not knowing of him to call him earlier. Foals can be lost very quickly when sick; if he had been there the day before, her infection probably would have been caught quicker. We got lucky.
Don't fool around in emergencies, call the vet that will give you immediate service, with a correct diagnosis, and follow up care. EVEN IF IT MEANS NOT CALLING YOUR NORMAL VET
btw- in terms of his bill- it was the same amount as the first vets that did nothing! $400.00 That's for an emergency call, tubing, testing, meds, follow up care, exam etc. etc. oh yes, and the filly thriving- we look forward to seeing her at the Riechert show in Ft worth in Sept. thanks to Dr. Arnold!!
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