Routine management of the neonatal foal

Question 1

Definitions of births based on time for TBs

Answer 1

Full-term: over 320 days
Premature: 300-320 days
Abortion: before 300 days
Dysmature: after 320 days but with signs of prematurity

Question 2

Normal mental status parameters

Answer 2

2-3 mins: lift head, moves into sternal recumbency, suck reflex
15-20 mins: attempts to stand
1/2-2 hours: stands, searches for udder, sucks colostrum
12 hours: sucking well and following mare

Question 3

Normal resp rate parameters

Answer 3

1 min: rapid movements of chest and abdomen
5 min: rhythm established, shivering! Be concerned if its slow
15 mins: 40-60 bpm
12hrs: 30 bpm

Question 4

Normal heart rate parameters

Answer 4

1 min: 60-80 bpm
15min: 120-160bpm
12hrs: 80-120 bpm

Question 5

Normal temp parameters

Answer 5

1 min: 37.5
12hrs: 38

Question 6

Treatment of the umbilical cord

Answer 6

Dip with 0.5% chorhexidine/blue or purple spray/2% iodine

Question 7

Routine use of enemas

Answer 7

Most foals pass meconium within 4hrs (dark brown/black)
By 24hrs milk dung should have appeared
Meconium retention can be a problem, especially in colt foals so some studs give enemas routinely

Question 8

What should IgG levels be by day 2

Answer 8

At least 8g/l

Question 9

When does autoegnous IgG start to be produced

Answer 9

2 weeks post partum

Question 10

What are the major RBC blood types

Answer 10

A, Q and C

Question 11

Foal heat diarrhoea

Answer 11

6-14 days of age
Hypersecretion in SI overwhelms immature colon
Usually no treatment necessary
Monitor in case a more serious cause

Question 12

What documentation is compulsory for all horses, and what is also needed for TBs

Answer 12

Horse passports
Microchipping

Registration with Weatherbys/Jockey club