Foal Management Flashcards
Pre-foaling Mare Management (3)
- Good nutrition program
- Vaccinations: Herpes, Rota, and 1 month pre-foaling series
Considerations- prior vaccination history - Worming – 1 month prior
Fescue Toxicity:
Removal from pastures with fescue _____ prior to expected foaling date
60 to 90 d
_____ in grass causes fescue toxicity
Entophyte
Give 5 results of Fescue Toxicity
Agalactia Thicken placenta Stillborn foals Increased gestation length Dystocia due to larger foals
Fescue toxicity causes a _____.
Decrease in levels of prolactin and progesterone
Treatment for Fescue toxicity
Domperidone
6 prep steps for parturition
- Herd Management – no overstocking
- Move to foaling premise ~ 4 wks. prior to expected foaling date
- Acclimation to handling
- Antibody development
- Ease of observation
- Inspect, repair and disinfect foaling stalls and barn repeatedly
Gestation average length
~ 340 days (range:335 – 350)
Foals born before _____ usually premature and non viable
320d
Foals born at _____ are considered abortions
Gestation length _____ foal starts to catabolize muscle due to placental insufficiency
> 360
Thin mares have a _____ gestation
Longer
Gestation length similar year to year for individual.
Seasonal affects – carry longer in winter than spring by _____
10 days
Fillies shorter gestation length by average of _____
3 days
Mare physical ∆s near parturition:
Mammary gland development begins _____ prior. Less pronounced in _____ mares. Running milk _____ prior. ∆s in electrolytes of _____.
2-6 weeks prior
Maiden mares
Hours prior
Colostrum
Mares have teat engorgement
7 days or less
Mare physical ∆s near parturition: Relaxation of broad ligament, muscle of pelvis and other surrounding Relaxation of vulva \_\_\_\_\_ prior Swelling of vulva \_\_\_\_\_ prior. What else? 5 things
- 0 – 24 hrs. prior
- Hours prior
- Vaginal discharge
- Mucus plug
- Colicky, frequent urination
- Reduced feed intake or refusal
- Behavior changes in stall and field
What is an NI screen?
Neonatal isoerythrolysis: looks for antibodies against foal in colostrum
Colostrum can be a good indication of parturition due to electrolyte ∆s. How?
Na and Cl decrease
K and Ca increase
pH decrease
If mare pH decreases to 6.4, then
You can be 97% certain the mare will foal within 24hr
If mare pH > 6.4, then
You can be 99% certain the mare will NOT foal within 24hr
Using 400mg/dl Calcium cut off:
If >:
If
90% certain that mare will foal within 24 hrs.
Using 400mg/dl Calcium cut off:
If
98% certain that mare will not foal within 24 hrs.
3 stages of labor
Positioning fetus
Delivery
Passing of the placenta
