Equine foal Flashcards
Normal TPR of foal
T=38-39*C
HR=80-130 bpm
Patent ductus arteriosus
Systolic heart murmur 1-2 weeks
RR=12-24 brpm
Lung sounds easily auscultatable
IgG snap test is done at
IgG snap test 24-48 hours
Passive transfer of IgG
When is IgG a fail
<400mg/dL=failure
When is IgG borderline
400-800=borderline
When is IgG adequate
> 800mg/dL= adequate
How often do normal foals nurse
Normal foals nurse 5x/hour for the first week then drop to ~1x/hr
When should a foal be sternal
5 minutes
When should a foal have a suck rflex
5-10 mins
when shoudl a foal stand
0-1hrs
How long does a foal have to suck
0-2 hours
Bonding of a foal
Do NOT interrupt the bonding process
Less is more
Ensure adequate colostrum intake
Dip naval 2% iodine
Enema
Failure of passive transport of colostrum in a foal is
Emergency
Septicemia
Omphalophlebitis
Septic arthritis/physitis
Pneumonia
Diarrhea
Plasma transfusion
Septicemia in foals is and casues
Multi-organ failure
injected/hyperemic mucous membranes
Petechia
Lethargic/depressed
Tachycardia
Weak pulse
Omphalophlebitis (“Navel ill”) signs and treatment
Swollen, sore, hot umbilicus
+/- purulent discharge
Patent urachus
Treatment
Systemic antibiotics
Surgery
Septic arthritis/physitis (“joint ill”) in a foal signs and treatment
Bacteria settle and populate in vessels of joint or physis
Days or weeks old
Acute onset grade 4/4 or 5/5 lameness
Emergency
Treatment
Broadspectrum Abx
Surgical lavage
Epiphysitis is caused by and signs in foals
Over fed, overweight, rapidly growing, under exercised foals develop inflammation of their growth plates of long bones (radius, cannon bones, tibia).
Warm swollen area above the joint at epiphysis (growth plate), may be lameness
Manage by reducing feed/energy intake and increasing ability to exercise.
Pneumonia in foals
Neonatal foals
Sequela of FPT
Aspiration secondary to bottle feeding
2-6 months
EHV/influenza
Rhodococcus
Strep. Zooepidemicus
Treatment
Depends on cause and severity
Diarrhea in foals
FPT
E. Coli, Salmonella, Clostridum, Rotavirus
Treatment symptomatic
”Foal heat” diarrhea
Hormones in mare’s milk?
Strongyloides westeri parasite?
Changes in foal GI flora?
No treatment if otherwise BAR
Vaseline to prevent scald
Meconium impaction in foals is caused by, c/s and treatment
Failure to pass first feces
Should pass within 3 hours of birth
Black-green sticky
Strain to defecate
Treatment
Enema
Surgery rarely
Colic in foals is caused by
Meconium impaction
Gastric ulcers
Ruptured bladder
Mesenteric volvulus
Similar symptoms to adults
Lying on back, legs in air
Emergency
Prematurity is
born before anticipated due date
<320 days gestation
Dysmaturity is
born within anticipated due date period but with signs of prematurity
320-370 days gestation
Causes of Prematurity/dysmaturity in foals
Placentitis
Colic/colitis while pregnant
Twins
Hypothyroidism
symptoms of Prematurity/dysmaturity in foals
Fine silky coat
Curled ear tips
Low BCS/birth weight
Domed forehead
Soft lips
Extreme suckle reflex
Incomplete ossification of cuboidal bones
Unable to stand and suckle
Failure of passive transfer
Emergency
