Equine foal

Question 1

Normal TPR of foal

Answer 1

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

Question 2

IgG snap test is done at

Answer 2

IgG snap test 24-48 hours
Passive transfer of IgG

Question 3

When is IgG a fail

Answer 3

<400mg/dL=failure

Question 4

When is IgG borderline

Answer 4

400-800=borderline

Question 5

When is IgG adequate

Answer 5

> 800mg/dL= adequate

Question 6

How often do normal foals nurse

Answer 6

Normal foals nurse 5x/hour for the first week then drop to ~1x/hr

Question 7

When should a foal be sternal

Answer 7

5 minutes

Question 8

When should a foal have a suck rflex

Answer 8

5-10 mins

Question 9

when shoudl a foal stand

Answer 9

0-1hrs

Question 10

How long does a foal have to suck

Answer 10

0-2 hours

Question 11

Bonding of a foal

Answer 11

Do NOT interrupt the bonding process
Less is more
Ensure adequate colostrum intake
Dip naval 2% iodine
Enema

Question 12

Failure of passive transport of colostrum in a foal is

Answer 12

Emergency
Septicemia
Omphalophlebitis
Septic arthritis/physitis
Pneumonia
Diarrhea
Plasma transfusion

Question 13

Septicemia in foals is and casues

Answer 13

Multi-organ failure
injected/hyperemic mucous membranes
Petechia
Lethargic/depressed
Tachycardia
Weak pulse

Question 14

Omphalophlebitis (“Navel ill”) signs and treatment

Answer 14

Swollen, sore, hot umbilicus
+/- purulent discharge
Patent urachus
Treatment
Systemic antibiotics
Surgery

Question 15

Septic arthritis/physitis (“joint ill”) in a foal signs and treatment

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Epiphysitis is caused by and signs in foals

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Pneumonia in foals

Answer 17

Neonatal foals
Sequela of FPT
Aspiration secondary to bottle feeding
2-6 months
EHV/influenza
Rhodococcus
Strep. Zooepidemicus
Treatment
Depends on cause and severity

Question 18

Diarrhea in foals

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Meconium impaction in foals is caused by, c/s and treatment

Answer 19

Failure to pass first feces
Should pass within 3 hours of birth
Black-green sticky
Strain to defecate
Treatment
Enema
Surgery rarely

Question 20

Colic in foals is caused by

Answer 20

Meconium impaction
Gastric ulcers
Ruptured bladder
Mesenteric volvulus
Similar symptoms to adults
Lying on back, legs in air
Emergency

Question 21

Prematurity is

Answer 21

born before anticipated due date
<320 days gestation

Question 22

Dysmaturity is

Answer 22

born within anticipated due date period but with signs of prematurity
320-370 days gestation

Question 23

Causes of Prematurity/dysmaturity in foals

Answer 23

Placentitis
Colic/colitis while pregnant
Twins
Hypothyroidism

Question 24

symptoms of Prematurity/dysmaturity in foals

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Treatments of Prematurity/dysmaturity

Answer 25

Plasma transfusion
Supportive nursing care
Unlikely to be athletes

Question 26

Congenital hypothyroidism symptoms in foals

Answer 26

Prognathia(underbite)
Contracted tendons
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

Question 27

Limb deformaties are caused by and can be fixed by

Answer 27

Born with deformities or acquire in first few months
Early recognition and treatment for best outcome
Splinting
Controlled exercise
Surgery

Question 28

Flexural limb deformaties in a foal is

Answer 28

Something to do with sagittal plane
Most likely due to flexor tendons
Lax tendons
Usually no treatment
Heel extensions in extreme cases
Contracted tendons
Splinting
IV Oxytetracycline
Relax musculotendinous unit
Good to excellent prognosis

Question 29

Angular limb deformities in foals is

Answer 29

Issue with side to side growth
Incomplete ossification
Periarticular tendon laxity
Valgus (toes out)
Most common
Usually originate from carpus
Varus (toes in)
Usually originate from fetlock
Windswept is when one limb is vagus and one is valgus and looks like they are being swept away
Corrective trimming/shoeing
Surgery
Must be recognized early for best outcome

Question 30

When is it an emergency that a foal is sternal

Answer 30

> 10 minutes

Question 31

When is it an emergency that a foal doesn’t have a suckle response

Answer 31

> 15 min

Question 32

When is a foal not standing an emergency

Answer 32

> 2 hours

Question 33

When is it an emergency that a foal has nut suckled

Answer 33

> 4 hours