Foal Medicine 1

Question 1

1. Where do many of the problems of the neonatal foal begin?
2. Common problems of the dam that can result in abnormal foals.

Answer 1

1. In utero.
2. Previous / current disease.
   Poor perineal conformation.
   Poor nutritional condition.
   Hx of:
   - previous abnormal foals.
   - placental abnormalities.
   - twins.

Question 2

What to do if pregnancy identified as high risk?

Answer 2

Evaluate foetus for viability.
- movement on rectal.
- US – foetal fluids, placental thickness (increases w/ placentitis), heart beat.
- Foetal ECG.
– normal foetal HR in last months of gestation is 65-115bpm.

Question 3

Managing high risk pregnancy.

Answer 3

Altrenogest? (regumate).
- provide exogenous progesterone to support pregnancy.
- some evidence.
- should commit to continuing treatment until ~180d gestation.
- cost can add up.
- Risk dummy foals?
Observed foaling.
- consider hospitalisation.
- vet to examine foal.
- test IgG.

Question 4

1. Placentitis clinical signs.
2. Management of placentitis.

Answer 4

1. • Running milk = commonest sign.
     - Some have vulval discharge.
     - Often thick placental wall on US.
2. • Altrenogest PLUS TMPS.
     – good evidence but experimental.
     - Continue TMPS until placenta appears normal / foaling / 4-6wks.

Question 5

Protocol for mare ran milk.

Answer 5

Give colostrum from another mare or hyperimmune plasma - 250ml w/in 1hr of birth (50kg foal).
Might drink plasma.
Better to give by mouth than IV as gut will close more quickly (when open not just to antibodies but also bacteria).
Then give 1 or if poss., 2L total of either, 250ml every hour.
Then check IgG at 12 to 24 hrs, give IV plasma if required, then re-check IgG.

Question 6

Gestation to term of…
1. ponies.
2. TB.
3. donkeys.

Answer 6

1. 320-345.
2. 320-360.
3. 360-380.

Question 7

1. How can placentitis cause sepsis?
2. Maximum time it should take for foal to stand.
3. Max time it should take for foal to suck.
4. What can failure of passive transfer often lead to in the foal and vice versa?

Answer 7

1. Directly or via failure of passive transfer.
2. 1hr.
3. 2hrs.
4. Meconium retention.

Question 8

1. Why is it important to check if the foal has been seen to urinate?
2. Vac protocols for the mare.

Answer 8

1. Sepsis can cause anuric renal failure.
   Some ruptured bladder foals can urinate.
2. • Tetanus – 24 months and 4-6w before foaling.
     - Influenza – 6-12m and 4-6w before foaling.
     - EHV – 1m, 4m (5,7 and 9m).
     - Rotavirus – 8,9 and 10m.