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Excerpted from the UC Davis Artificial Insemination Workshop Feb 21-15, 2001
NEONATAL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS IN WHICH A VETERINARIAN SHOULD BE ALERTED
Remember, if you have any questions or concerns regarding a newbon foal, you should always call a vet. There is no such thing as a stupid question when it concerns the life of a foal.
Situations in which a veterinarian should be alerted:
1. The foal is unable to stand after 2 hours old
2. The foal has a weak or lack suck reflex
3. The foal appears weak, not interested in dam, nursing or surroundings
4. The foal appears painful (colic), rolling on back, straining
5. The foal is straining to urinate frequently with little or no urine being voided.
6. The foal is showing signs of lameness in 1 or more limbs
7. The foal is hemorrhaging from the umbilicus for prolonged periods of time
8. The physical paramaters are abnormal (temperature, pulse, respirations. Parameters are presented below.)
9. IGG levels less than 800 mg/dl at 4 hrs
10. Mucous membane color very pale pink, yellow, blue-pink or dark red-purple
11. Capillary refill time more than 2 seconds
12. Milk comes out foal's nostrils after nursing
13. Signs of injury - lacerations, broken bones, etc.
14. Labored beathing, abnormal breath pattern
15. Urine seen at umbilicus, enlarged, swollen umbilicus
16. Evidence of prematurity
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NORMAL PARAMETERS FOR FOAL EXAMINATION
1. Gestation age mean: 340 days
2. Time to suckle reflext by 20 minutes
3. Time to stand mean: 60 minutes (no longer than 2 hours)
4. Time to nurse (30 to 420 minutes ) mean: 1.5 hours
5. Heart rate:
1-5 minutes of life: Mean - 70 beats per minute
6-60 minutes of life: 130-150 beats per minute
6. Respiratory Rate: 30 breaths per minute
7. Body temperature: 99-101.5F
8. Mucous Membranes: pink
9. Capillary refill time 1-2 seconds
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FOAL EMERGENCY KIT
1. Name and phone number of your veterinarian
2. Dry towels
3. 2% iodine or .5% chlorhexidine (Novalsan)
4. Fleet enemas (2)
5. Vasoline
6. Thermometer
7. Scissors
8. Flashlight
9. Bucket and plastic bags to store placenta
10. Stethoscope (optional)
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PHYSICAL EXAM OF THE FOAL
Routine Post Foaling Procedures:
1. CARE OF THE UMBILICUS:
a. Allow the cord to sever on its own
b. Apply 2% iodine or Chlorhexidine 0.5% (Novalsan) to the navel twice daily for 8-72 hours or longer if not dry. Inspect for moisture, heat or swelling.
2. PLACENTA EVALUATION
a. Save placenta in bucket of water
b. Examine for integrity and weight - average weight is 10-12 lbs. Placenta weighing more than 10% of the body weight of the foal is considered abnormal and should be further evaluated.
3. ENEMA USE
a. Enemas are provided to newborn foals to assist the passage of meconium (a tar like substance that is the first manure the foal produces)
b. Fleet enema, warm water or soapy water (volume 4-6 ounces)
CAUTION: enemas must be given very gently to avoid perforating the delicate tissues of the foal. Perforation will lead to sepsis (blood poisoning and high risk of death)
4. TETANUS ANTITOXIN 1500 units - give only if mare has not been given a tetanus toxoid booster in the last trimester
5. Determine IgG levels (test of immune system)
a. Normal level IgG is above 800 mg/dl
b. When to test the IgG levels: early testing at 8-12 hours old if IgG levels are less than 400 mg/dl at this time, supplement with colostrum orally and recheck IgG at 24 hours. If IgG is les than 800 mg/dl at 24 hours then carry out plasma transfusions
6. ANTIBIOTICS if indicated
7. VITAMINS: Vitamin E and selenium may be indicated
8. EXERCISE: If foal is normal size and has normal limb conformation it should receive paddock exercise beginning at day 2
9. The mare: Clean mammary area, hind quarters with soap and water prior to nursing. This may reduce fecal contamination and infection to foal.
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