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Foals and Weanlings Articles

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    Foals and Weanlings Articles Neonatal Care Help Your Foal Grow with Proper Nutrition Evaluation & Care of Newborn Foals Help Your Mare Have A Safe Delivery Foal Growth Spe!ial Care an" Nutrition Foal Heat Diarrhea #la""er $upture Foal Diarrhea A Dea"ly Cou%h Con%enital Cleft Palate in Horses vero 'ethal (hite Syn"ro)e Colle!tin% Colostru) Mana%e)ent of Con%enital Fle*ural 'i)b Defor)ities in the Foal Fee"in% Youn% Horses +t,s Not -he Protein. #uil"in% a Foun"ation of Foot Care in Foals

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    Neonatal Care

    Routine and Emergency Care of the Neonatal Foal

    Dana N. Zimmel, DVM Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal MedicineDiplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (E !ine Practice"

    Step One: Be prepared

    -he best !han!e to i)prove the survival rate of a newborn foal is a"e/uate "isease preventionan" plannin%0 Daily observation of the )are in the last tri)ester1 va!!ination1 nutrition an" bloo"s!reenin% shoul" !o)pose the basis of a !o)prehensive broo")are pro%ra)0

    Obser e the mare daily

    -he )are shoul" be observe" for !han%es in the )a))ary %lan" an" vulva0 Early u""er "evelop)ent an" "rippin% )il2 !an i)ply a proble) with the fetus or pla!enta0 Any vulvar "is!har%e is abnor)al an" )ay in"i!ate pla!entitis 3infla))ation of the pla!enta40 +f either of these !lini!al si%ns are "ete!te"1 the )are shoul" be evaluate" by your veterinarian0

    !accination for the "are

    All pre%nant )ares shoul" re!eive e/uine herpes virus 3EH56741 also 2nown asrhinopneu)onitis1 at the be%innin% of the fifth1 seventh an" ninth )onth of pre%nan!y tohelp prevent abortion0

    -hirty "ays prior to foalin% the )are shoul" be va!!inate" for the )ost i)portant

    "iseases su!h as (est Nile virus1 Eastern8(estern e/uine en!ephalitis1 influen9a an"tetanus0 -his ti)e fra)e is !riti!al to allow the )are to %enerate a stron% i))uneresponse that !an then be passe" into the !olostru) 3the first )il240 Foals are born!o)pletely naive to their environ)ent an" "o not re!eive any i))unity a!ross thepla!enta0 -his )eans that all of the prote!tive antibo"ies that the foal will possess areobtaine" fro) the !olostru)0 -his prote!tion will last until the foal is between :6; )onthsof a%e when the i))une syste) is fully fun!tional an" !an respon" to va!!inations0

    -he nee" for a""itional va!!inations for botulis)1 #treptococc!s e !i 3Stran%les41 rabies1Poto)a! horse fever an" rotavirus shoul" be "is!usse" with the far) veterinarian0 -ype# botulis) is en"e)i! in so)e parts of the eastern

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    of the other li)b to ensure that one shoul"er pre!e"es the other0 nly apply tra!tion when the)are pushes0 -here are several !on"itions that !an !ause "ysto!ia 3bree!h presentation1 hiplo!21 !ontra!te" ten"ons40 +f the foal is in the wron% position the !han!es of survival are re"u!e"an" the welfare of the )are shoul" overri"e heroi! efforts to save the foal0 -he uterus !an be tornan" result in the "eath of the )are with over9ealous tra!tion0 +f the foal !an not be easily pulle"1%eneral anesthesia is ne!essary0 +f the foal !annot be pulle" when the )are is anestheti9e" after @? )inutes1 a C6se!tion is the ne*t step0 ui!2 "e!ision6)a2in% is para)ount for su!!ess inthese !ir!u)stan!es0

    Not Breathing

    $e%ular breathin% shoul" start within three se!on"s fro) birth0 -he heart rate shoul"be re%ular an" aroun" ? beats8)in0 Co))on !on"itions that result in a !ar"ia! arrestare pre)ature pla!ental separation 3$e" #a% "elivery41 e*!essive twistin% of theu)bili!al !or"1 prolon%e" "ysto!ia or suffo!ation by the fetal )e)branes0 +)ple)entresus!itation if the foal is not breathin%1 if the breathin% is irre%ular or if the heart rateis less than :? beats8)in0 -o resus!itate a foal1 !hest !o)pressions shoul" be ?67@?8)in0 -his !an easily e*haust one in"ivi"ual0

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    "easure the ,g- and CBC .Complete Blood Count/

    -he )ost i)portant bloo" test for the neonate is )easure)ent of +%Gbetween 6@: hours of a%e0 -his test refle!ts the level of antibo"yabsorbe" by the foal0 -he /uality an" /uantity of !olostru) "ire!tlyinfluen!es the +%G level0 -he bloo" test is easy to perfor)0 Failure of passive transfer of antibo"ies is "ia%nose" when the +%G level J ??)%8"l0 +f the foal is ol"er than @: hours of a%e1 the only )etho" to provi"ea"e/uate i))unity is a")inistration of intravenous plas)a0 After @: hoursof a%e the foal !an no lon%er absorb the i))uno%lobulins into thebloo"strea) be!ause the %ut is !lose" an" the i))uno%lobulins are"i%este"0 Failure to a!/uire a"e/uate i))unity puts the foal at hi%h ris2

    for "evelop)ent of serious !onse/uen!es su!h as septi!e)ia1 pneu)onia an" infe!tiousarthritis8physitis0 A C#C is valuable to "eter)ine if there is any evi"en!e of "isease present0

    Restraint

    -he best way to )ove a foal is to pla!e one ar) in front of the !hest an" one ar) aroun" thehin"/uarters to help push the foal forwar"0 -o !olle!t bloo" in avi%orous foal1 pla!e the) with the hin"/uarters in the !orner of the stall0+f the foal tries to !ollapse then loosen the restraint0 +f the foal is inlateral re!u)ben!y1 pla!e one han" on the hea" an" ne!2 an" use theother han" to hol" the "own front li)b !rosse" over the up li)b0 -o pi!2up the foal1 never lift it by the ab"o)en to avoi" rupturin% the bla""er0 +f the foal nee"s assistan!e to stan"1 lift it by the sternu) an" tail0

    0o$ to bottle1pan feed a foal

    (hen fee"in% a foal throu%h a bottle1 )a2e sure that the nipple hole is not too bi%1 allowin%e*!essive a)ounts of )il2 into the foal s )outh0 A 2i" nipple will wor2 well1 or a few foals willsu!2le on a lar%e baby nipple0 Ma2e sure not to hol" the bottle too hi%h1 as the foal !an easilyaspirate )il20 Do not for!e or s/uee9e )il2 into the foal s )outh0 -he foal shoul" have a verystron% su!2le refle* to atte)pt bottle fee"in%0 Do not heat the )il2 in the )i!rowave be!ause it!an be!o)e too hot an" s!al" the linin% of the sto)a!h0 Fee"in% a foal fro) a pan or bu!2et !anbe 5E$Y !hallen%in%1 but is the )ost pra!ti!al solution if the )are "oes not have any )il20 -hista2es "ili%en!e an" patien!e0 Ma2e sure there is :6; in!hes of )il2 in the bowl to start0 +nitially thefoal )ay waste a lot of )il20 Fee" the foal every two hours1 offerin% the pan by %ently pla!in% itun"er the foal s )u99le0 Eventually the foal will learn to "rin2 fro) a bu!2et0

    0o$ to mil2 the mare

    -he u""er shoul" be washe" with war) water an" lubri!ate" with =Y Belly0So)eone shoul" hol" the )are at first for safety reasons0 -he teat is %entlys/uee9e" to e*press the )il20 Do not a%%ressively strip the teat0 A hot towelhel" over the )a))ary %lan" !an help with )il2 let"own0 Always strain the)il2 for "ebris 3use a %au9e pa"4 before storin% the )il20 A ;? !! syrin%e3with the tip !ut off4 an" inverte" 3so the s)ooth si"e is a%ainst the s2in4!an be use" to %ently aspirate )il20 #e !areful not to apply too )u!hsu!tion as "a)a%e to the teat !an o!!ur0 Hu)an breast pu)ps have beenuse" with so)e su!!ess but the stron% su!tion )ay inBure the )are s)a))ary %lan" if it is not )onitore" !losely0

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    )hysical E3am

    All neonates shoul" re!eive a physi!al e*a)ination within the first 7@6@: hours of a%e by your veterinarian0 -he followin% !hart is a list of nor)al an" abnor)al e*a)ination fin"in%s0

    )hysical E3am Normal Abnormal

    Attitu"e1 #ehavior #ri%ht1 alert1 responsive Depresse"1 sleepy1 hypere*!itable1 sei9ures

    #o"y posture Ere!t hea" an" ne!2'i)p li)bs with sepsis1 stiff li)bs with asphy*ia or)enin%itis

    -e)perature KK0? 6 7?@0? LFHypother)ia6 sepsis1 pre)aturity1 asphy*ia Fever6in"i!ates infe!tion

    Heart rate?677? bp)1 nor)alrhyth)

    +n!rease"6 "ehy"ration1 sepsis1 asphy*ia1 pain1sho!21 fever "e!rease"6 septi! sho!21 hypother)ia1hypo%ly!e)ia

    Capillary refill ti)e J @ se!on"s Prolon%e" C$-6 "ehy"ration1 sho!2

    Mu!ous )e)branes Pin2 an" )oist

    $e"8inBe!te"6 sepsis1 to*i! Pale pin26 ane)ia#rown8oran%e6 he)olysis1 liver "isease1 sepsis(hite8%rey6 sho!2

    Pulse /uality 6 "istale*tre)ities Stron%1 war) e*tre)ities

    Poor /uality1 !ool li)bs6 low bloo" pressure1 severe"ehy"ration

    $espiratory rate >?6:? breaths8)in

    +n!rease"6 stress1 pain1 pneu)onia1 sho!21 fever1a!i"osis Slow or irre%ular6asphy*ia1 sho!21 !ol"1pre)aturity

    Gastrointestinal )otilityGut soun"s presentbilaterally

    Absent or in!rease"8ab"o)inal "istension6+nfla))ation of intestine 3enteritis4 ileus1 hypo*i!"a)a%e to G+ tra!t1 )e!oniu) i)pa!tion1uroab"o)en

    Fe!es1 /uantity1 !olor1!onsisten!y

    Pasty yellow or tan in!olor1 @6: ti)es a "ay

    Constipation6)e!oniu) i)pa!tions Diarrhea6 viral1ba!terial1 parasite6in"u!e" #loo"y "iarrhea6Clostri"iu) or Sal)onella entero!olitis

    Su!2le refle* >? )inutes after birth Absent or wea2 6sepsis1 asphy*ia1 i))aturity

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    WARN,N- S,-NS: Mil2 !o)in% fro) nose 3aspiration pneu)onia4 ran%e flui" !o)in% fro) nose or stainin% hair 3)e!oniu) aspiration4 Chan%es in behavior la!2 of affinity for )are1 wan"erin% ai)lessly 3"u))y foal4 Mil2 on fa!e 3Not nursin%4

    $e" %u)s 3septi!e)ia4 Yellow %u)s 3neonatal isoerthyrolysis4 Eyes sun2en or tearin% 3"ehy"ration1 )alnutrition1 eye proble)4 (ea2 pasterns1 !ontra!te" ten"ons1 Boint or ten"on la*ity Swollen Boints1 la)eness 3infe!tion4 Diarrhea 3ba!terial1 viral or parasite infe!tion41 foal heat "iarrhea 3 67? "ays of a%e4 $api" respiration 3pneu)onia1 bro2en ribs1 pain4 #loat1 !oli! (ea2 an" lethar%i!1 inability to stan" 3si!2 foal4

    Constipation Urination Meconium impaction

    Joint laxity Tendon laxity Sunken eyes

    Normal Entropion Contracted tendons

    poste" by $oseposte" 787?8@??I0 'ast up"ate" 78778@??I

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    0elp 4our Foal -ro$ $ith )roper Nutrition

    by Written by the AAE)

    A healthy foal will %row rapi"ly1 %ainin% in hei%ht1 wei%ht an" stren%th al)ost before your eyes0 Fro) birth to a%e two1 a youn% horse !an a!hieve K? per!ent or )ore of its full a"ult si9e1so)eti)es puttin% on as )any as three poun"s per "ay0 Fee"in% youn% horses is a balan!in%a!t1 as the nutritional start a foal %ets !an have a profoun" affe!t on its health an" soun"ness for the rest of its life0

    At ei%ht to ten wee2s of a%e1 )are s )il2 alone )ay not a"e/uately )eet the foal s nutritionalnee"s1 "epen"in% on the "esire" %rowth rate an" owner wants for a foal0 As the foal s "ietaryre/uire)ents shift fro) )il2 to fee" an" fora%e1 your role in provi"in% the proper nutrition %ains ini)portan!e0 Followin% are %ui"elines fro) the A)eri!an Asso!iation of E/uine Pra!titioners3AAEP4 to help you )eet the youn% horse s nutritional nee"s

    70 Provi"e hi%h /uality rou%ha%e 3hay an" pasture4 free !hoi!e0

    @0 Supple)ent with a hi%h /uality1 properly balan!e" %rain !on!entrate at weanin%1 or earlier if )ore rapi" rates of %ain are "esire"0

    >0 Start by fee"in% one per!ent on a foal s bo"y wei%ht per "ay 3i0e01 one poun" of fee" for ea!h7?? poun"s of bo"y wei%ht41 or one poun" of fee" per )onth of a%e0

    :0 (ei%h an" a"Bust the fee" ration base" on %rowth an" fitness0 A wei%ht tape !an help youappro*i)ate a foal s si9e0

    I0 Foals have s)all sto)a!hs so "ivi"e the "aily ration into two to three fee"in%s0

    ;0 Ma2e sure fee"s !ontain the proper balan!e of vita)ins1 )inerals1 ener%y an" protein0

    0

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    -he A)eri!an Asso!iation of E/uine Pra!titioners1 hea"/uartere" in 'e*in%ton1 =y01 was foun"e"in 7KI: as a non6profit or%ani9ation "e"i!ate" to the health an" welfare of the horse0 Currently1

    AAEP rea!hes )ore than I )illion horse owners throu%h its over 1I?? )e)bers worl"wi"e an"is a!tively involve" in ethi!s issues1 pra!ti!e )ana%e)ent1 resear!h an" !ontinuin% e"u!ation inthe e/uine veterinary profession an" horse in"ustry0

    poste" 7@87K8@??>0 'ast up"ate" 7@87K8@??>

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    E aluation 5 Care of Ne$born Foals

    by 67R7R7 Costa8 "!8 "S8 *AC!,"

    Nor)al behavior of )ares & their newborn foals

    +"entifyin% the si%ns of i)pen"in% parturition

    -he nor)al %estation perio" of )ares varies fro) >@? to >;? "ays0 As a )are approa!hesparturition1 the u""er be%ins to enlar%e an" )ay lea2 s)all a)ounts of !olostru)1 whi!h "riesover the en"s of the teats 3 wa*in% 40 ther si%ns of i)pen"in% 3less than : hours4 parturitionin!lu"e rela*ation of the pelvi! li%a)ents an" elon%ation of the vulva0 Chan%es in the !o)positionof the )il2 3in!rease of !al!iu) an" )a%nesiu) !on!entrations4 that o!!ur within the @ hourspre6foalin% are the basis of !o))er!ial 2its to pre"i!tin% foalin%0

    "ays0 +t isnor)al for the post6parturient )are to be prote!tive of her foal an" 2eep herself between the babyan" any per!eive" threat1 in!lu"in% people an" other horses the )are is otherwise fa)iliar with0-he )are )ay a!t a%%ressive for 7 to @ "ays0 Even a )are that nor)ally has %oo"6)annerstowar"s people )ay a!t a%%ressively0 Close !onfine)ent often a%%ravates this behavior an" )ayresult in the )are ina"vertently inBurin% her baby as she rushes to position herself in front of her foal0 -his !an be easily avoi"e" if the pair is 2ept in a lar%e spa!e0 Another i)portant thin% tore)e)ber is that )il2 let"own pro"u!es a transient "is!o)fort to whi!h the )are )ay rea!t0n!e the )are has rela*e"1 an" with repetitive nursin% this response "isappears0

    +"entifyin% abnor)al )otherin% behavior

    verall )ares have e*!ellent )aternal s2ills0 +na"e/uate )otherin% behavior is un!o))on1 an"esti)ate" to o!!ur in less than I of the parturitions0 +t o!!urs espe!ially in first6ti)e )others1an" it often be!o)es apparent soon after birth1 however the abnor)al behavior )ay ta2e a few"ays to be )anifeste"0 +t is thou%ht that true poor )otherin% behavior )ay have a %eneti!

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    pre"isposition0 -he five )ost !o))on abnor)al )otherin% behaviors are absen!e of bon"in%1fear of the newborn foal1 overprote!tion1 relu!tan!e of nursin%1 an" true foal reBe!tion0

    Absen!e of bon"in% an" la!2 of prote!tive behavior is %enerally seen when either the )are or thefoal is si!2 or is re!eivin% )e"i!ation0 +t is also relatively !o))on if the foal "elivery involve" a lotof )anipulation su!h as in "iffi!ult births 3!alle" "ysto!ias4 or after !esarian se!tion0

    Fear of the newborn foal o!!urs when the )are "oes not re!o%ni9e the foal as her own baby0+nstea" of the nor)al bon"in% behavior1 the )are tries to %et away fro) her own foal1 as if it is anintru"er0 -he )are will eventually a!!li)ate to her foal1 but )ay not bon" very well to this foal0-his behavior o!!urs )ore !o))only in the first ti)e )others1 an" it is unli2ely to be repeate" insubse/uent pre%nan!ies0

    verprote!tion is "efine" as a%%ressively prote!tin% the foal1 to the point of bein% a "an%erousnot only to the people han"lin% the )are but also to the foal0 (hile rushin% to %et herself in frontof her foal to prote!t it fro) a per!eive" threat1 the )are )ay inBury the baby by steppin% on or !rushin% her own foal0 Althou%h the )are )ay appear to inBure the foal1 overprote!tion is /uite"istin!t fro) "eliberate atta!2s on the foal that o!!ur with true reBe!tion0

    -he relu!tan!e of nursin% is probably the )ost !o))on proble)1 an" it shoul" also be"ifferentiate" fro) "eliberate atta!2s on the foal0 +t is possible that the "is!o)fort asso!iate" with)il2 let"own !auses the )are to overrea!t0 Alternatively1 the )are )ay be relu!tant to have thefoal nurse be!ause she is tou!hy about her u""er1 espe!ially if there is e"e)a0 +f a )are istou!hy 1 her u""er shoul" be han"le" re%ularly prior an" throu%hout the followin% pre%nan!ies0

    -rue foal reBe!tion is a very serious ina"e/uate )otherin% behavior1 an" fortunately it is the least!o))on0 -he reason why so)e )ares truly reBe!t their foals re)ains un2nown0 +t is thou%ht thatthis behavior is )ore li2ely to reo!!ur a%ain in subse/uent pre%nan!ies than the other abnor)al)aternal behaviors0 -he )are be!o)es a%%ressive towar" her baby an" often sava%ely atta!2sthe foal0 -he )are )ay bite1 lift an" toss the foal1 or !orner an" sto)p on it0 n!e you have!onfir)e" that the )are is truly reBe!tin% an" atta!2in% her foal1 they nee" to be separate"per)anently0

    Abnor)al )aternal6newborn intera!tion )ay pre"ispose to serious neonatal illness0 Can youavoi" the)O HowO -here are a few thin%s you !an "o to avoi" the abnor)al )aternal newbornintera!tions )entione" above0 You shoul" han"le the )are throu%hout her pre%nan!y an" after foalin%1 !autiously but !onsistently0 You shoul" avoi" too )u!h !o))otion aroun" the )are an"her newborn1 an" avoi" !onfine)ent in a s)all spa!e0 +t is i)portant to allow enou%h spa!e1espe!ially to the e*tre)ely prote!tive )ares0 -he )are shoul" be allowe" to bon" to foal withoutinterferen!e0 You shoul" avoi" han"lin% the foal e*!essively1 but try to han"le the foal a little an"!onsistently0 Always )a2e sure the foal has re!eive" a"e/uate a)ount of %oo" /uality!olostru)s an" !he!2 for a"e/uate passive transfer of )aternal i))unity 3see below40$e)e)ber to be observant an" "eal with any proble) as soon as possible0

    Anti!ipatin% an" i"entifyin% the proble)ati! or hi%h6ris2 newborn foal

    +s it %oin% to be a nor)al foal1 or notO

    +n or"er to ensure the best !han!e of you not losin% your )are s foal "ue to neonatal "iseases itis i)portant to be able to anti!ipate an" i"entify the ris2 fa!tors asso!iate" with the )ost !o))onproble)s of newborn foals0 -he three )ost !o))on proble)s of the newborn foal are failure of passive transfer of )aternal i))unity1 neonatal sepsis 3%enerali9e" ba!terial infe!tion4 an"prolon%e" birth asphy*ia0 -hey result in a nu)ber of serious1 an" often life6threatenin%1!on"itions0 +n fa!t1 )ost "isor"ers of the newborn result fro) hi%h6ris2 pre%nan!ies0 -herefore1

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    any !on"ition that affe!ts fetal "evelop)ent an" )aturity1 "elivery1 an" the peripartu) perio" )ayresult in severe neonatal illness0 -he fa!tors asso!iate" with hi%h6ris2 newborn foals an"proble)s "urin% the neonatal perio" !an be "ivi"e" into those asso!iate" with environ)ental!on"itions1 )aternal 3)are4 fa!tors1 "elivery an" fetal 3foal4 fa!tors0

    Certain environ)ental !on"itions pre"ispose to neonatal illnesses1 in!lu"in% unsanitary

    !on"itions1 poor husban"ry1 e*posure to new patho%ens a%ainst whi!h the )are has no i))unity1an" e*tre)e environ)ental te)peratures0 +f you are plannin% to sen" your )are to foal outso)ewhere else so she !an be bre" on the foal heat1 )a2e sure to evaluate the far) senviron)ental !on"itions !arefully0

    -he list of )aternal1 "elivery an" fetal fa!tors pre"isposin% to neonatal illnesses is /uite len%thy0-he a%e an" the health status of the pre%nant )are1 any illness she )ay have an" evenprolon%e" transportation !an have an i)portant i)pa!t on her pre%nan!y an" "elivery0 @? "ays of %estation4 or "elaye" %rowthof the fetus1 whi!h results in i))aturity1 are often asso!iate" with a nu)ber of neonatal proble)s1espe!ially involvin% their lun%s an" their bones0 -he foal )ay fail to a"e/uately in%est !olostru)1not only be!ause of ina"e/uate availability of )aternal !olostru)1 but also "ue to an inability tostan" in !ase of abnor)alities of the li)bs or neurolo%i! proble)s 3 "u))y foal41 as well as theinability to swallow0

    How !an you tell if the foal is healthyO

    A healthy newborn foal is stron%1 responsive an" very a!tive0 A nu)ber of thin%s shoul" be note"when you observe the newborn fro) a "istan!e in!lu"in% the foal s attitu"e1 willin%ness to nurse1

    awareness of the surroun"in%s1 the relationship with the )are1 the ability to )ove aroun" an" therespiratory pattern0

    (e all have hear" that the foal is one of the )ost pre!o!ious newborns in the ani)al 2in%"o)0 +nfa!t1 the newborn foal is very a!tive soon after birth an" is able to 2eep up with its "a)0 Maresen!oura%e their newborn foals to %et up an" nurse within the first hour after birth0 (e often refer to the 76@6> $

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    +n or"er to be able to i"entify early si%ns of a neonatal proble) su!h as neonatal sepsis1 it isi)portant to answer a few /uestions about the foal in!lu"in% Has the foal been %ettin% up an"nursin%O How oftenO Have you !he!2e" the u""erO

    Does the foal still appear hun%ryO Che!2 the )are s u""er for fullness before an" after the foalhas nurse" an" !he!2 to see if )il2 is !o)in% out of the foal s nostrils0

    Has the foal passe" the )e!oniu)O Have you %iven the foal an ene)aO

    More than one..O

    -he first fe!es of the newborn 3 )e!oniu)4 are "ar2 brown an" either pasty or fir) little fe!alballs0 +t is i)portant for the foal to pass the )e!oniu) within > hours after birth an" the best wayto sti)ulate %ut )ove)ent an" passa%e of the )e!oniu) is nursin% properly0 You )ay bein!line" to %ive the foal an ene)a ri%ht away however1 this is %enerally not ne!essary0 #ut oneene)a1 if %iven !arefully1 is unli2ely to har) the foal0 However1 you )ust not %et !arrie" awaywith ene)as to the newborn foal. -oo )any ene)as !an be har)ful0 +f the foal !ontinues to strainto "efe!ate without su!!ess1 you shoul" !onta!t your veterinarian0

    (hat are so)e of the si%ns of abnor)alitiesO

    Si%ns of proble)s in!lu"e not nursin% often 3)a2e sure to !he!2 the u""er41 salivatin%e*!essively1 %rin"in% teeth1 or showin% si%ns of ab"o)inal "istension an" pain 3su!h as %ettin%up an" "own1 rollin% on his ba!240 ther si%ns in!lu"e strainin% to "efe!ate an" urinate1 li)babnor)alities1 su!h as an%ular or fle*ural li)b "efor)ities an" la)eness0

    Care of the newborn foal

    (ell6bein% !he!2up of the newborn foal an" a post6foalin% !he!2 on the )are are very i)portant0+t is a"visable to have your veterinarian to !he!2 the newborn foal an" the )are even if they loo2pretty %oo". $e)e)ber to save the pla!enta to be inspe!te" by your veterinarian0 Ma2e sure the

    foal s bloo" is always !he!2e" for a"e/uate transfer of )aternal i))unity

    Appropriate passive transfer )aternal of i))unity

    -he neonatal foal is i))unolo%i!ally !o)petent 3able to )ount an i))une response4 at birth0However their naQve i))une syste) is very ineffi!ient to fi%ht invasion of infe!tious or%anis)s1in!lu"in% ba!teria1 fun%us1 virus an" parasites0 Passive transfer of )aternal antibo"ies via!olostru) is the prin!ipal i))unolo%i!al prote!tion in the newborn foal0 Failure of passive transfer of )aternal i))uno%lobulins !an o!!ur with failure or "elay to su!2le1 failure of the "a) topro"u!e %oo" /uality !olostru)1 an" lea2a%e of !olostru) prior to parturition1 an" it is the sin%le)ost i)portant pre"isposin% fa!tor for "evelop)ent of life6threatenin% neonatal septi!e)ia0

    Goo" /uality !olostru) shoul" be !rea)y1 yellow an" sti!2y0 +f ina"e/uate passive transfer o!!ursthe foal shoul" re!eive supple)ental !olostru) as soon as possible0 Colostru) is the preferablesour!e of passive i))unity for the newborn foal be!ause !olostru) !ontains not onlyi))uno%lobulins 3antibo"ies a%ainst )i!roor%anis)s4 but other i)portant fa!tors too0 -he ti)in%for oral a")inistration of !olostru) or its substitute is !riti!al0 +f )ore than ; to hours haveelapse" sin!e birth1 a"e/uate intestinal absorption of enterally a")inistere" !olostru) is unli2ely1an" the intravenous a")inistration of plas)a will be re/uire" provi"e passive transfer of i))uno%lobulins to the newborn foal0 -herefore1 if you suspe!t the foal is not %ettin% a"e/uate!olostru)1 !onta!t your veterinarian about provi"in% a substitute as soon as possible0

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    Evaluation of passive transfer of !olostral antibo"ies in the foal s bloo" shoul" always beperfor)e"0 +t !an be "one as early as hours1 but it is nor)ally "one between 7@ to @: hoursafter birth0 Assu)in% the foal is nor)al an" has nurse" within @ hours of birth1 the foal s bloo"shoul" have a !ertain level of i))uno%lobulins by hours0 +f the level is not a"e/uate1 early"ete!tion of failure of passive transfer allows a")inistration of !olostru) 3i))uno%lobulinsupple)entation4 within an opti)al win"ow of ti)e0 'ater assess)ent of the i))uno%lobulin levelbetter represents the ulti)ate status of passive transfer of i))unity1 sin!e )a*i)u)!on!entrations o!!urs between 7@ to @: hours after birth0

    Support of the newborn foal

    Nor)al foals su!2le appro*i)ately >? ti)es per "ay1 in%estin% 7@ to @? of their bo"y wei%ht in)il21 an" %ainin% an avera%e of @ to > lbs per "ay0 A"e/uate nutritional support is of para)ounti)portan!e for the newborn0 +f the newborn foal is unable to nurse1 alternative routes of nutritionalsupport are ne!essary0 Do not for%et the )ain rule when fee"in% foals Avoi" aspirationpneu)onia.. Do not Bu% 1 syrin%e6fee" or for!e6fee" the foal0 -hese )etho"s of fee"in% areli2ely to result in aspiration of the )il2 into the lun%s0 Even bottle6fee"in%1 if not "one properly1 !anresult in aspiration0 +f the foal is not nursin%1 !onta!t your veterinarian as soon as possible0 n!ethe !ause of inappropriate nutrition is establishe" you an" your veterinarian !an )a2e a plan

    about how to provi"e the appropriate nutrition to the newborn foal0 Your veterinarian )ay pla!e as)all "ia)eter1 pliable naso%astri! or nasoesopha%eal fee"in% tube0 Always )a2e sure the foal isstan"in% when bein% fe"1 even when you are fee"in% via a fee"in% tube0 +f the foal is lyin% "own1the overflow !an ba!2 up into the throat 3pharyn*4 an" then be aspirate" into the lun%s0

    -he )are shoul" be han"6)il2e" every @ hours1 an" the )are,s )il2 a")inistere" to the foal0 +f the )are "oes not pro"u!e suffi!ient )il2 to )eet the nutritional re/uire)ents of the foal1 anu)ber of bran"s of %oo" /uality e/uine )il2 repla!er are available0 ther alternatives in!lu"efresh 3non6evaporate"4 %oat s )il21 whi!h is a fairly %oo" substitute to )are s )il20 Cow s )il2shoul" only be use" as last option an" it shoul" be )o"ifie" by the a""ition of supple)ental!al!iu) an" "e*trose0 Calf )il2 repla!ers shoul" be avoi"e"0

    +f your foal is si!2 an" has be!o)e unable to rise 3re!u)bent41 there are a few thin%s you !an "o

    to help stabili9e the newborn foal while awaitin% veterinary assistan!e1 in!lu"in% preventin%hypother)ia an" 2eepin% the foal lyin% in upri%ht 3sternal4 position0 (hen you try to 2eep the foalwar)1 be !autious to avoi" over6heatin% of the foal with ele!tri! blan2ets an" heaters0 ver6heatin% !an a%%ravate !ir!ulatory proble)s0 =eepin% the foal in sternal position1 rather than lyin%on its si"e1 helps the foal to breathe )ore effi!iently1 whi!h is e*tre)ely i)portant in any si!2 foal0

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    0elp 4our "are 0a e A Safe *eli ery

    -he followin% arti!le is provi"e" as a !ourtesy an" servi!e to the horse in"ustry by the A)eri!an Asso!iation of E/uine Pra!titioners

    +f your )are has )a"e it throu%h 77 )onths of pre%nan!y1 you re al)ost ho)e free0 'abor an""elivery1 while )o)entous1 are %enerally uneventful0 +n )ost !ases1 you will si)ply nee" to be a/uiet observer R if1 that is1 you are lu!2y enou%h to witness the birth0 Mares see) to prefer to foalat ni%ht in priva!y1 an" apparently have so)e !ontrol over their "elivery0 #e!ause )ost )aresfoal without "iffi!ulty1 it is usually best to allow the )are to foal un"isturbe" an" unassiste"0

    (hat you !an "o1 however1 is prepare your )are for a safe an" su!!essful "elivery0 Follow thesesu%%estions fro) the A)eri!an Asso!iation of E/uine Pra!titioners 3AAEP4 to help the new)other an" baby %et off to a %reat start

    (rite "own your veterinarian s phone nu)ber well in a"van!e of the birth an" 2eep it by allphones0

    =eep a wat!h or !lo!2 on han" so you !an ti)e ea!h sta%e of labor0 (hen you re worrie" or an*ious1 your per!eption of ti)e be!o)es "istorte"0 -he wat!h will help you 2eep a!!urate tra!2of the )are s pro%ress "urin% labor0

    (rap the )are s tail with a !lean wrap when you observe the first sta%e of labor0 #e sure thatthe wrap is not applie" too ti%htly or left on too lon%1 as it !an !ut off !ir!ulation an" per)anently"a)a%e the tail0

    (ash the )are s vulva an" hin"/uarters with a )il" soap an" rinse thorou%hly0

    Clean an" "isinfe!t the stall area as thorou%hly as possible an" provi"e a"e/uate be""in%0

    Consi"er usin% test strips that )easure !al!iu) in )a))ary se!retions to help pre"i!t when

    the )are will foal0 Su""en in!reases in !al!iu) are asso!iate" with i))inent foalin%0

    +f a )are is ta2in% lon%er than >? )inutes to "eliver the foal1 !all your veterinarian i))e"iately0

    For )ore infor)ation on labor an" "elivery an" postpartu) !are for the )are an" foal1 as2 your e/uine veterinarian for a !opy of the Foalin% Mare an" Newborn !lient e"u!ation bro!hure1provi"e" by the AAEP in partnership with #ayer Corporation1 Ani)al Health0 -he bro!hure !analso be viewe" online at www0)yHorseMatters0!o)1 the AAEP s new web site for all )attersrelatin% to horse health0

    -he A)eri!an Asso!iation of E/uine Pra!titioners1 hea"/uartere" in 'e*in%ton1 =entu!2y1 wasfoun"e" in 7KI: as a non6profit or%ani9ation "e"i!ate" to the health an" welfare of the horse0Currently1 AAEP rea!hes )ore than I )illion horse owners throu%h its ;1I?? )e)bers worl"wi"ean" is a!tively involve" in ethi!s issues1 pra!ti!e )ana%e)ent1 resear!h an" !ontinuin%e"u!ation in the e/uine veterinary profession an" horse in"ustry0

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    THE FOAL'S CHANGING DIET

    As early as 7?67: "ays of a%e1 a foal )ay be%in to show an interest in fee"0 #y nibblin% an"sa)plin%1 the youn%ster learns to eat soli" foo"0 +ts "i%estive syste) /ui!2ly a"apts to the "ietary!han%es 0 +t is now re!o%ni9e" that !opropha%y 3eatin% of fe!es4 is nor)al in the foal an" )aylea" to Foal Heat Diarrhea as the intestinal )i!roflora !han%es0 -his "iarrhea was previously

    thou%ht to result fro) hor)onal !han%es in the )il2 but has been observe" to o!!ur withorphane" foals that have no e*posure to )aternal hor)ones0

    At 67? wee2s of a%e1 )are,s )il2 alone )ay not a"e/uately )eet the foal,s nutritional nee"s1"epen"in% on the "esire" %rowth rate an owner wants for a foal0 +n or"er to a!hieve a )ore rapi"rate of %ain1 hi%h6/uality %rains an" fora%e shoul" be a""e" to the foal,s "iet0 +t is essential the ration be properly balan!e" for vita)ins an" )inerals0 Defi!its1 e*!esses or i)balan!es of !al!iu)1 phosphorous1 !opper1 9in!1 seleniu) an" vita)in E are of parti!ular !on!ern in the %rowin% foal0 +)proper a)ounts or ratios !an lea" to s2eletal proble)s0

    FOAL FEEDING GUIDELINES

    As the foal,s "ietary re/uire)ents shift fro) )il2 to fee" an" fora%e1 your role in provi"in% theproper nutrition %ains in i)portan!e0 Here are so)e %ui"elines to help you )eet the youn%horse,s nee"s

    70 Provi"e hi%h6/uality rou%ha%e 3hay an" pasture4 free !hoi!e0

    @0 Supple)ent with a hi%h6/uality1 properly6balan!e" %rain !on!entrate atweanin%1 or earlier if )ore rapi" rates of %ain are "esire"0

    >0 Start by fee"in% 7 of a foal,s bo"y wei%ht per "ay1 3ie0 7 poun" of fee" for ea!h 7?? poun"s of bo"y wei%ht41 or 7 poun" of fee" per )onth of a%e0

    :0 (ei%h an" a"Bust the fee" ration base" on %rowth an" fitness0 A wei%ht tape!an help you appro*i)ate a foal,s si9e0

    I0 Foals have s)all sto)a!h s1 so "ivi"e the "aily ration into @6> fee"in%s0

    ;0 Ma2e sure fee"s !ontain the proper balan!e of vita)ins1 )inerals1 ener%y an"protein0

    0

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    WEANING

    Foals are !o))only weane" at : to ; )onths of a%e0 #e%innin% about the thir" )onth1 the)are,s )il2 supply %ra"ually "e!lines an" a natural weanin% pro!ess be%ins0 -o prepare the foal for !o)plete weanin%1 its ration shoul" be in!rease" over a @6> wee2 perio"to )a2e up for the nutrients bein% lost in the "i)inishin% )il2 supply0 -he )are,s %rain shoul" bere"u!e" an"8or %ra"ually eli)inate" to further li)it )il2 pro"u!tion0 n!e the foal is no lon%er nursin%1 a I??6;?? poun" weanlin% shoul" be eatin% between

    appro*i)ately @ an" > of its bo"y wei%ht in fee" an" fora%e a "ay0

    SUSTAINING GROWTH

    (eanlin%s an" yearlin%s !ontinue to buil" bone an" )us!le an" )ass at a re)ar2able rate0 Fro)weanin% to two years of a%e1 the horse )ay nearly "ouble its wei%ht a%ain0 (eanlin%s an" yearlin%s benefit fro) a "iet !ontainin% 7:67; per!ent protein0 -hey also re/uire

    rea"ily available sour!es of ener%y to )eet the "e)an"s of %rowth an" a!tivity0 -he per!ent of !on!entrates or rou%ha%e a "iet )ay !ontain "epen"s on the "esire" %rowth rate0 However1 the"iet shoul" never !ontain less that >? as rou%ha%e R )easure" by wei%ht0

    A %oo" rule of thu)b is to provi"e ;?6 ? of the ration as !on!entrates an" >?6:? of the rationas rou%ha%e1 )easure" by wei%ht0 -he "iet )ust also provi"e a)ple fiber to 2eep the "i%estivetra!t fun!tionin% properly0 So)e of the new T!o)plete fee"sT have the ration alrea"y balan!e"0(ei%ht %ain an" "evelop)ent taper off as the horse )atures0 As %rowth slows1 you will nee" toa"Bust the ration to appro*i)ately 70I6@ of the yearlin%,s bo"y wei%ht0 -he %rain to rou%ha%eratio shoul" also be a"Buste" so by the ti)e the horse is a @6year6ol"1 half of its "aily "iet 3bywei%ht4 is !o)in% fro) %rain sour!es an" the other half fro) hay an" pasture0 #ree" type1)aturity1 "esire" %rowth rate an" !on"ition an" level of a!tivity will affe!t the horse,s e*a!tnutritional re/uire)ents0

    TOTAL CARE & MANAGEMENT

    (or2 with your e/uine pra!titioner to "evelop a total health !are plan for your foals1 weanlin%san" yearlin%s0 A re%ular "ewor)in%1 va!!ination an" e*a)ination s!he"ule is essential to ensureyour foal is %ettin% the !are it nee"s0 $e)e)ber1 va!!ination an" "ewor)in% re%i)ens )ay vary "epen"in% on re%ional fa!tors an""isease ris2s0 Consult your e/uine pra!titioner for e*a!t re!o))en"ations0 Here are so)e other )ana%e)ent tips

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    Provi"e a !lean1 safe environ)ent with a"e/uate shelter fro) the ele)ents0 Che!2 the horse,s surroun"in%s an" eli)inate any potential ha9ar"s su!h as loose

    boar"s1 nails1 wire fen!in% or e/uip)ent0

    -he rewar" for provi"in% e*!ellent nutrition1 !ons!ientious !are an" a safe environ)ent will be ahealthy foal that %rows into a soun" an" useful horse0

    For )ore infor)ation1 !onta!t your veterinarian0

    A)eri!an Asso!iation of E/uine Pra!titioners:? I +ron (or2s Par2way1 'e*in%ton1 =Y :?I773 IK4 @>>6?7:

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    Foal 0eat *iarrhea

    by Christina Cable8 *!"8 *AC!S

    Can you please tell me $hat foal heat diarrhea is8 and $hat causes it9 Some people say

    it s because of the mare s hormones being transferred in her mil2 during foal heat8 butother people ha e said that is an old $i es tale7

    Foal heat s!ours 3"iarrhea4 is a ter) use" to "es!ribe the "iarrhea that o!!urs in foals betweenseven an" 7? "ays of a%e0 +t is !alle" foal heat "iarrhea be!ause the foal,s "a) usually ise*perien!in% her first heat or estrous !y!le 3!alle" the foal heat4 sin!e foalin% "urin% this ti)e0 +tori%inally was thou%ht that the heat !y!le in the )are resulte" in the foal,s havin% "iarrhea "ue to!han%es in the )are,s )il2 !o)position0 However1 orphane" foals or foals raise" separate" fro)the )are also have "evelope" "iarrhea "urin% this ti)e0

    -he )ain "istin%uishin% fa!tor between foal heat "iarrhea an" other infe!tious !auses of "iarrhea66su!h as rotavirus or a ba!teriu) su!h as #almonella 66is syste)i! illness0 Foalse*perien!in% foal heat "iarrhea are not syste)i!ally ill1 )eanin% they "o not have a fever1 theyre)ain bri%ht an" alert1 an" they !ontinue to nurse well an" re)ain a!tive0 Foals with infe!tious!auses of "iarrhea usually will be "epresse" an" /uiet1 they "o not nurse well1 an" they usuallyhave a fever0 Further)ore1 foals with foal heat "iarrhea have a )il"1 self6li)itin% "iarrhea1whereas foals with infe!tious !auses often have profuse1 watery "iarrhea0

    5eterinarians believe that foal heat "iarrhea "oes not result in the foal,s be!o)in% syste)i!ally illbe!ause the "iarrhea is !ause" by the !han%in% ba!terial flora within the foal,s %astrointestinal3G+ 4 tra!t1 rather than an infe!tion of the G+ tra!t fro) patho%eni! 3"isease !ausin%4 ba!teria or viruses0 As the foal,s nor)al resi"ent ba!terial florae !han%e1 it !auses a transitory "iarrhea1whi!h resolves in a few "ays without treat)ent0

    You often will see youn% foals eatin% fe!es 3!opropha%ia4 "urin% this ti)e0 Althou%h this behavior is not parti!ularly pleasin% to wat!h1 it is nor)al for youn% foals1 as we believe this is the wayyoun% foals populate their G+ tra!t with the ba!teria that are in their environ)ent0

    Foals at this a%e also !an su!!u)b to other1 )ore serious for)s of "iarrhea0 -here are severalways to tell the "ifferen!e0 First1 "eter)ine if your foal has a fever0 A foal,s nor)al re!talte)perature is between KKL an" 7?70IU F0 Se!on"1 )onitor your foal to )a2e sure he8she isnursin% a"e/uately0 +f the foal is not nursin% several ti)es an hour1 or if the )are,s u""er is veryfull an" possibly "rippin% )il21 then )ost li2ely the foal is not nursin% a"e/uately an" is si!20-hir"1 )onitor your foal for "iarrhea0 Foals whi!h are nursin% will pro"u!e a yellowish1 pasty)anure 3)il2 fe!es41 whi!h is totally nor)al0 Foals with "iarrhea will have )ore watery1 yellow6brown fe!es that often stains their hin"/uarters0

    Foal heat "iarrhea usually results in only )il"ly loose or sli%htly watery "iarrhea0 Foals with other !auses of "iarrhea often will have profusely watery "iarrhea0 Foals with foal heat "iarrhea rarelynee" treat)ent0 However1 so)eti)es they re/uire oral or intravenous flui"s to repla!e the flui"sthey have lost throu%h the "iarrhea0 -reat)ent with probioti!s or even yo%urt !an ai" inpopulatin% the G+ tra!t with nor)al ba!teria in an atte)pt to help re"u!e the "iarrhea however1antibioti!s are not ne!essary for true foal heat "iarrhea0

    +f your foal has any of these si%ns1 or if you are unsure about your foal,s "iarrhea1 your veterinarian shoul" be !alle" to e*a)ine the foal i))e"iately1 as foals with infe!tious for)s of "iarrhea will nee" pro)pt treat)ent with antibioti!s1 intravenous flui"s1 an" anti6ul!er )e"i!ations0

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    As a si"enote66one of the tell6tale si%ns of foals whi!h have ha" "iarrhea is the loss of hair on thefoal,s ba!2si"e0 -his is !alle" s2in s!al" an" is a result of s2in irritation fro) the "iarrhea0 S2ins!al" !an be prevente" by usin% petroleu) Belly applie" on both si"es of the foal,s ba!2si"e twoto three ti)es a "ay0 -his treat)ent prevents the "iarrhea fro) !onta!tin% the foal,s s2in an"!ausin% s!al"in%0 +f the foal is alrea"y !overe" with fe!es1 wash the foal,s ba!2si"e an" tail with a)il" soap1 "ry with a soft towel1 then apply the petroleu) Belly or Preparation H0 -he PreparationH will help soothe the s!al"e" s2in0 Even with the use of the petroleu) Belly1 washin% usually isne!essary at least on!e a "ay0

    C$ristina Ca%le, DVM, DACV#, is a &'' grad!ate of t$e )ni*ersity of +eorgia s College of Veterinary Medicine. #$e and $er $!s%and, Mi-e Ball, DVM, c!rrently operate a pri*ate practice

    named Early inter E !ine Medicine / #!rgery in It$aca, N.0., doing primary care, cons!ltation, performance $orse pro%lems, and clinical p$armacology.

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    Bladder Rupture

    by Rolf Embertson8 *!"8 *ipl7 AC!S

    +t,s nearly foalin% season on the far) where + wor21 an" a %roo) was tellin% )e about a foal last

    year that "ie" of bla""er rupture on this far)0 +s this so)ethin% that + !an preventO How "o +re!o%ni9e itO

    #la""er rupture is a tear or lea2 in the urinary bla""er that results in uroperitoneu)0

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    -he e"%es of the tissue that were torn re6appose" an" heale" the)selves1 sin!e the bla""er wasno lon%er "isten"e"0 However1 the surest way to solve the proble) is sur%i!ally0

    (e try to perfor) the sur%ery as /ui!2ly after "ia%nosis as we !an1 but we are !areful about theele!trolyte abnor)alities0 Hi%h levels of seru) potassiu) !an affe!t the heart a"versely1espe!ially un"er anesthesia0 +n fa!t1 so)e foals "ie before sur%ery !an be perfor)e"1 probably

    fro) !ar"ia! arrest partially "ue to elevate" potassiu) levels0 -o alleviate that ris21 we partially"rain the ab"o)en an" a")inister intravenous flui"s that "o not !ontain potassiu)0

    +n %eneral1 the pro%nosis is favorable about ?6K? of pri)ary bla""er rupture patients survive0Foals whi!h are si!2 for other reasons that "evelop uroperitoneu) have a %uar"e" to fair pro%nosis1 i0e01 about I? survive0 So)e of those foals are in )ar%inal !on"ition1 an" they "on,t)a2e it be!ause of the !o)bination of events0

    Post6operative treat)ent !onsists of antibioti!s an" anti6infla))atories for at least a few "ays1plus whatever is nee"e" for the foals whi!h have other proble)s %oin% on0

    #la""er rupture is not a !o))on proble)1 o!!urin% in )u!h less than 7 of the foal population0For the neonates where uroperitoneu) "evelops after birth1 the in!i"en!e is probably hi%her thanthat1 but not by )u!h0

    1olf Em%ertson, DVM, Dipl. ACV#, is an e !ine s!rgeon at 1ood and 1iddle E !ine 2ospital, aclinical facility and field ser*ice in 3e4ington, 5y.

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    Foal *iarrhea

    by Roberta "7 *$yer8 *!"8 "S8 *AC!)"

    + a) a new owner of a broo")are who Bust ha" her first foal1 whi!h now has "iarrhea0 (hat !an +

    "o about itO How serious is it for hi)O How "o + 2eep this fro) happenin% a%ainO

    -he !ausative a%ents for "iarrhea !an be ba!teria1 viruses1 parasites1 or a ran%e of non6infe!tiousa%ents or !on"itions su!h as to*ins1 la!tose intoleran!e1 or Tfoal heatT "iarrhea0 Foal heat is "ueto nor)al physiolo%i!al !han%es in the foal s %ut an" usually o!!urs anywhere fro) "ay seven to7@ after birth0 +nfe!tious a%ents that !an !ause "iarrhea in!lu"e rotavirus1 #almonella 11$odococc!s e !i 1 !lostri"ial or%anis)s1 an" Actino%acill!s 0 However1 when it !o)es to"ia%nosin% "iarrhea1 veterinarians often are har"6presse" to pinpoint a spe!ifi! !ause0 Also1 on!einfe!tious "iarrhea has been "ia%nose" in a foal1 that foal shoul" be isolate" fro) other foals toprevent sprea" of the infe!tion0

    ne of the )ain fa!tors in whether a foal be!o)es affli!te" with "iarrhea is whether or not thefoal re!eive" enou%h !olostru)1 or whether the !olostru) was of %oo" /uality0 Colostru)!ontains antibo"ies that fi%ht off the viruses an" ba!teria the new foal fa!es in the first few wee2sof life0 A bloo" test "one by your veterinarian at 7@ hours of a%e will in"i!ate if the foal nurse"enou%h /uality !olostru)0

    -he first 7 hours of the foal s life are !riti!al when it !o)es to the absorption of !olostru)0 +t is"urin% that win"ow of opportunity that the foal s %astrointestinal syste) !an absorb the antibo"iesfoun" in the !olostru)0 -he )are pro"u!es antibo"ies a%ainst ba!teria an" viruses byva!!ination or e*posure to these or%anis)s in her environ)ent0 -he !olostru) prote!tion isessentially the only prote!tion a foal has a%ainst har)ful %er)s0 Foals are born with an i))aturei))une syste) that has to "evelop for about >? "ays in or"er for it to pro"u!e antibo"ies on itsown0

    'oo2 at the )are s u""er twi!e "aily0 A full u""er )eans that the foal is not a"e/uately nursin%1%ettin% nutrition1 or replenishin% its flui"s0

    +t is i)portant for a veterinarian to evaluate "iarrhei! foals less than >? "ays ol" be!ause they!an "evelop life6threatenin% "ehy"ration in as few as si* to ei%ht hours0 Dehy"ration o!!urs/ui!2ly in youn% foals be!ause of their s)all si9e an" be!ause their %astrointestinal syste)s areshort an" "o not reabsorb as )u!h li/ui" fro) their fe!es as a"ult horses0 Foals ol"er than >?"ays !an also "evelop severe "iarrhea whi!h nee"s i))e"iate veterinary attention0

    -reat)ent for foals un"er >? "ays of a%e with serious "iarrhea often !onsists of intravenousflui"s0 -his not only replenishes the lost flui"s but !an help !orre!t ele!trolyte i)balan!es su!h aslow potassiu)1 so"iu)1 an" !hlori"e0 Glu!ose is also provi"e" in )any +5 flui" solutions0 +f serious ele!trolyte i)balan!es are not !orre!te"1 other or%ans !an be a"versely affe!te"1 su!h asthe heart0 Also1 a prote!tant1 su!h as e/uine version of Pepto #is)ol1 !an be use" to !oat an"soothe the %astrointestinal tra!t0

    wners shoul" not rea!h for antibioti!s when they "is!over a foal with "iarrhea0 +n"is!ri)inateuse of antibioti!s !an !o)pli!ate so)e "iarrhea !ases by 2illin% off T%oo"T ba!teria foun" in thefoal s %ut0 Antibioti! "e!isions shoul" be left to the veterinarian0

    Goo" far) )ana%e)ent is 2ey to preventin% "iarrhea0 -hese pra!ti!es in!lu"e the followin%

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    V -he hi%her the !on!entration of ani)als on lan"1 the hi%her their ris2 of e*posure to or%anis)sthat !ause "iarrhea0 Do not e*!ee" )ore than two horses per a!re0

    V Ma2e sure the foal %ets %oo"6/uality )aternal !olostru) in suffi!ient a)ounts in the first 7hours of life0

    V Do not )ove new )ares an" foals in with the resi"ent population i))e"iately0 Either %roup)i%ht be !arryin% an infe!tious "isease0

    V +f you are in an area where rotavirus is 2nown to be a proble)1 you shoul" va!!inate the )arebefore she %ives birth in or"er to pass on the antibo"ies to the foal throu%h the )are s !olostru)0-he va!!ination1 whi!h !an be obtaine" fro) your veterinarian1 shoul" be a")inistere" to the)are at ei%ht1 nine1 an" 7? )onths of %estation0

    V Chain harrow pastures where horses are 2ept to brea2 up )anure piles an" e*pose parasitesan" other or%anis)s to environ)ental !on"itions0

    V Ma2e sure the foal is born into a !lean environ)ent0 Disinfe!t the stall in whi!h the foal is bornto prote!t the foal fro) ba!teria an" viruses usin% a phenoli! "isinfe!tant0

    V +f you are )ovin% a pre%nant )are to a "ifferent barn1 )a2e sure to transport her four to si*wee2s before she foals0 -his ti)e will allow her bo"y to buil" up antibo"ies to the lo!al patho%ensin her new environ)ent1 whi!h will then be passe" on to the foal in the !olostru)0

    1o%erta M. D6yer, DVM, M#, DACVPM, is an Associate Professor at t$e )ni*ersity of 5ent!c-y7s +l!c- E !ine 1esearc$ Center. #$e also is a mem%er of t$e Editorial Adi*sory Board

    of 8$e 2orse.

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    A *eadly Cough

    by *r7 Ste e -iguere

    1$odococc!s e !i pneu)onia in the foal !an be "ea"ly1 but %oo")ana%e)ent !an save the "ay

    (hen foals %et si!21 horse owners !an so)eti)es fa!e )any sleepless ni%hts1 as well as wee2sor )onths of intensive )ana%e)ent1 to %et these babies throu%h the rou%h spots0 ne of the)ost !o))on proble)s in the ill foal is pneu)onia1 !ause" by a ba!teria !alle" 1$odococc!se !i 1 whi!h atta!2s foals between one an" si* )onths of a%e0 Most foals will ten" to show !lini!alsi%ns1 in!lu"in% !ou%hin%1 abnor)al breathin% patterns an"1 less !o))only1 "iarrhea1 before thea%e of four )onths0 Most far)s are sus!eptible to the "isease1 but so)e far)s are !onsi"ere"en9ooti! or parti!ularly prone to have the proble) !ontinually0 n these en9ooti! far)s1 the"isease !an lea" to si%nifi!ant finan!ial loss be!ause of the !ost of therapy an" the o!!asional"eath of foals0(hile a"ult horses !an !arry 1. e !i in s)all nu)bers in their intestine an" not suffer any illeffe!ts1 in the foal1 the or%anis) !an a!tually )ultiply in the intestine for up to three )onths of a%e so that the presen!e of foals inevitably !ontributes to the "evelop)ent of the infe!tion on thefar)0Foals with 1. e !i pneu)onia swallow the )u!ous that a!!o)panies the illness the ba!teriaen"s up ba!2 in their intestines0 -herefore1 their )anure is li2ely a )aBor sour!e of !onta)ination0

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    sprea" of virulent or%anis)s in the environ)ent1 an" "e!rease the !ost of therapy0 Carefulwee2ly physi!al e*a)ination an" aus!ultation of the lun%s by a veterinarian are su!!essful inpro)otin% early "ia%nosis of pneu)onia1 therefore re"u!in% )ortality0 Careful "aily observationsan" te)perature re!or"in%1 as well as AG+D testin% or )easure)ent of fibrino%en !on!entrationsat two wee2 intervals )ay prove to be the best approa!h to early i"entifi!ation of pneu)oni! foalson en9ooti! far)s0n su!h far)s1 routine ultrasono%raphi! e*a)ination of the lun%s by a veterinarian is another )etho" that )ay allow early "ete!tion of lesions before "evelop)ent of !lini!al si%ns0

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    Congenital Cleft )alate in 0orses

    by Stacy A Seme olos8 *!"8 and Norm *ucharme8 *!"8 "S8 *ip7AC!S

    Sta!y A Se)evolos1 D5M1 an" Nor) Du!har)e1 D5M1 MS1 Dip0 AC5S1 E/uineHospital1 Colle%e of 5eterinary Me"i!ine1 Cornell 0

    Con%enital !left palate in horses is an un!o))on "efor)ity affe!tin% appro*i)ately ?076?0@ of the e/uine population0 -he !on"ition is a )alfor)ation of the soft an" so)eti)es har" palatewhere the left an" ri%ht si"e fail to unite1 for)in% a !left0 +t is usually re!o%ni9e" shortly after birthwhen the foal starts nursin%0 -he )ost !o))on !lini!al si%ns in!lu"e )il2 !o)in% out of bothnostrils an" !ou%hin% while nursin%0 So)e foals with s)aller "efe!ts in the palate are not thriftyan" "evelop re!urrent lun% infe!tion0 'ar%er palatal "efe!ts pro"u!e )ore severe !lini!al si%nsan" are life6threatenin% be!ause of aspiration of )il2 an" fee" )aterial into the lun%s0 -herefore1

    early "ete!tion an" !orre!tion of the !on"ition are i)portant to re"u!e the severity of aspirationpneu)onia0

    +f you suspe!t that your foal )ay have a !left palate1 !all your veterinarian i))e"iately0 +na""ition to thorou%h physi!al an" oral e*a)inations1 your veterinarian will nee" to perfor)a""itional "ia%nosti! tests su!h as en"os!opy an" *6rays0 En"os!opy of the throat area isessential to "efinin% the e*tent of the !left0 X6rays of the lun%s will help to "eter)ine the severityof pneu)onia !ause" by aspiration of fee" )aterial0 #oth the e*tent of the !left an" the presen!eof pneu)onia are 2ey "eter)inants for pro%nosis when !onsi"erin% treat)ent for !left palate0

    -he only !urrent treat)ent for !on%enital !left palate is sur%i!al !orre!tion of the !left0 -hispro!e"ure involves either splittin% the lower Baw or !reatin% an in!ision in the throatlat!h re%ion toprovi"e a!!ess to the "efe!t0 -he sur%ery !an be te!hni!ally /uite "e)an"in% "ue to the "epth of

    the in!ision an" poor visibility0 Co)pli!ations are !o))on 3%reater than I 4 followin% sur%i!al!orre!tion an" in!lu"e !o)plete or partial brea2"own of the repaire" palate1 in!isional infe!tions1an" !ontinue" aspiration of fee" )aterial0 Even su!!essful repairs will often re/uire )ore thanone sur%ery to a!hieve !o)plete healin% of the palatal "efe!t0

    After sur%ery1 spe!ial !are of the foal is essential an" in!lu"es lon%6ter) antibioti! treat)ent an"spe!ial fee"in% pro!e"ures for @ to : wee2s0 -he soft an" har" palates are e*pose" to hi%hnu)bers of ba!teria fro) the environ)ent antibioti!s help to prevent infe!tion in the repaire"palate1 as well as treat any un"erlyin% lun% "isease0 Spe!ial fee"in% pro!e"ures are ne!essary tore"u!e strain on the palate after sur%ery0 Foals are allowe" to nurse )il2 followin% sur%ery but arerestri!te" fro) soli" foo" 3hay an" %rain4 for several wee2s0 Alternatively in ol"er foals1 a pellete"%ruel )ay be fe" throu%h a sto)a!h tube or an esopha%osto)y 3hole into the esopha%us40 -helatter pro!e"ure has fallen out of favor "ue to !o)pli!ations asso!iate" with the esopha%osto)y

    site0

    Despite the hi%h !o)pli!ation rate1 sur%ery !an be su!!essful in so)e !ases0 Certainly foals withs)aller "efe!ts that affe!t only the soft palate have a better !han!e for survival followin% sur%erythan those with lar%e "efe!ts involvin% both the har" an" soft palates0 As )any as I? of sur%i!ally6treate" horses have ha" !o)plete healin% of the palatal "efe!t followin% one or )oresur%eries0

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    However1 even with !o)plete healin% of a repaire" !left palate1 athleti! potential )ay be!o)pro)ise"0 -his is "ue to "ysfun!tion of the )us!le tone of the soft palate0 Palatal )us!lesnor)ally serve to tense the palate so it "oes not !ollapse into the nasopharyn*0 (hen these)us!les are abnor)al1 the soft palate !an TbillowT an" obstru!t the airway "urin% e*er!ise1!ausin% an upper airway noise an" early fati%ue0

    Another !on!ern when !onsi"erin% treat)ent for !left palate is the potential heritability of the!on"ition0 -hou%h heritability has not been proven in horses1 a stron% !orrelation has been foun"in hu)ans0 #e!ause of the !on!ern for passin% un"esirable1 life6threatenin% traits on to offsprin%1we a"vise not bree"in% any horse that has re!eive" a !left palate repair0 A""itionally1 it )ay be ill6a"vise" to repeat the bree"in% !ross that resulte" in an affe!te" foal0

    +n !on!lusion1 !on%enital !left palate of the horse is a "iffi!ult !on"ition to treat an" has so)eheritability !on!erns0 -hou%h un!o))on 3affe!tin% 7 to @ foals in every thousan"41 !left palate isan i)portant "isease be!ause of its life6threatenin% potential0 Conta!t your veterinariani))e"iately if you noti!e that your foal has )il2 !o)in% out of either nostril or see)s to !ou%hfre/uently while nursin%0 +f your foal is "ia%nose" with a !left palate1 the "e!ision for sur%i!alrepair shoul" not be ta2en li%htly0 Sur%i!al repair shoul" be ele!te" only after !areful!onsi"eration of the potential "rawba!2s0

    Copyri%ht 7KK;6@??? A)eri!an Asso!iation of E/uine Pra!titioners0 All ri%hts reserve"0American Association of E;uine )ractitioners

    :? I +ron (or2s Par2way V 'e*in%ton1 =Y :?I77Phone IK6@>>6?7: V Fa* IK6@>>67K;

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    O ero 6ethal White Syndrome

    by Eli abeth " Santschi8 *!"

    Eli9abeth M Sants!hi1 D5M

    vero 'ethal (hite Syn"ro)e 3 '(S4 is a !on"ition that o!!urs in newborn foals0 -he !on"itionis %eneti!1 an" both parents !arry the "efe!tive %ene0 Horses that !arry this %ene are )ost!o))only overo white patterne" horses 3fra)e overos41 but there are e*!eptions0 -he "efe!tive%ene has been foun" in A)eri!an Paint Horses1 A)eri!an Miniature Horses1 Half6Arabians1-horou%hbre"s1 an" !ropout uarter Horses 3foals born to re%istere" uarter Horse parents thathave too )u!h white to /ualify for re%istration with the A)eri!an uarter Horse Asso!iation40

    '(S foals have blue eyes an" are !o)pletely or al)ost !o)pletely white at birth0 -hese foalsinitially appear nor)al e*!ept for their unusual !olorin%0 After a varyin% perio" of ti)e1 troublin%si%ns of !oli! e)er%e "ue to the foal,s inability to pass fe!es0 -he '(S foal has anun"er"evelope"1 !ontra!te" intestine !ause" by a failure of the e)bryoni! !ells that for) nervesin the %astrointestinal syste)0 ""ly enou%h1 these !ells also play a role in "eter)inin% s2in!olor0 -here is no treat)ent for '(S1 an" sur%ery to bypass the intestinal "a)a%e has never been su!!essful "ue to the e*tensive nature of this type of lesion0 5eterinarians a"viseeuthanasia for all '(S foals be!ause "eath will inevitably o!!ur fro) !oli! !ause" by fatal!onstipation0

    -he birth of an '(S foal is e)otionally inBurious an" often finan!ially "evastatin% for s)allbree"ers be!ause it is always fatal0 +"entifyin% an in"ivi"ual,s propensity for passin% on this"isease is essential1 an" resear!h at the

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    Phone IK6@>>6?7: V Fa* IK6@>>67K;

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    Collecting Colostrum

    by Fairfield #7 Bain8 *!"8 *ipl7 AC!,"8 AC!)8 AC!ECC

    0o$ can , collect colostrum from a mare and sa e it for future use8 andho$ long can , 2eep it9

    Colostru) or Tfirst )il2T is the thi!21 yellow se!retion fro) the )a))ary %lan" that,s presenti))e"iately after birth0 Pro"u!e" in the )are,s u""er "urin% the last two to four wee2s of %estation in response to hor)onal !han%es1 !olostru) !ontains !on!entrate" i))uno%lobulins3antibo"ies4 fro) the )are,s seru)0 Colostru) an" its prote!tive antibo"ies are present in the)are,s )il2 for only the first "ay after foalin% these )aternal antibo"ies are ne!essary to prote!tthe foal a%ainst infe!tious "iseases0 -he best6/uality !olostru) is pro"u!e" in the first ei%ht hourspost6foalin%0 +"eally1 the foal will re!eive at least two pints of )are,s )il2 within the first 7@ hoursof its life0

    #ut for various reasons1 a foal )i%ht not re!eive the !olostru) it nee"s

    -he foal is too wea2 to stan" an" nurse unassiste"0 -hen1 !olostru) )i%ht nee" to be)il2e" fro) the )are an" fe" via tube to the foal0

    A foal is !apable of nursin%1 but "oes not re!eive suffi!ient !olostru) be!ause the )areha" pre)ature la!tation0 -hat is1 she lea2e" Tfirst )il2T an" !olostru) before the foal wasborn0 #y the ti)e of foal "elivery1 all the !olostru) was %one0

    -estin% of the !olostru) reveals an ina"e/uate i))uno%lobulin !ontent0

    -here are other reasons to !olle!t !olostru)0 +f a )are is at ris2 of "yin%1 !olostru) shoul" be!olle!te" fro) her0 A""itionally1 one )i%ht opt to !olle!t !olostru) for stora%e in a !olostru) ban2as Tinsuran!eT for )ares whi!h "eliver a foal1 then "on,t have suffi!ient /uantity or /uality of !olostru)0 Many lar%e bree"in% far)s !olle!t an" store !olostru) for these reasons0

    ne %athers !olostru) by )il2in% the se!retion fro) the teats0 -his is an easy pro!e"ure thatta2es only a few )inutes an" !an be "one by anyone0 Grasp the teat between the thu)b an"forefin%er an" %ently s/uee9e an" for!e the )il2 "ownwar" within the teat !anal 3the !avity insi"ethe teat40 No spe!ial e/uip)ent is re/uire" other than !lean han"s an" a !lean !ontainer in whi!hto !olle!t the !olostru)0 Clean1 plasti!1 s!rew6top !ontainers or sealable plasti! ba%s arepreferre" so they are easy to open when fro9en0

    After the !olostru) is !olle!te"1 it !an be store" in any free9er for up to a year 3when fro9en at 6:LFahrenheit86@?L Celsius40 Fro9en i))uno%lobins are stable for )u!h lon%er1 but the overall/uality of the !olostru) "eteriorates over ti)e0 ust prior to use1 thaw store" !olostru) at roo)te)perature or in war) water0 Do not thaw by )i!rowave as essential antibo"ies !an be"estroye"0

    #e!ause !olostru) is only available for the first 7@6@: hours after a )are foals1 it,s !ru!ial to wor2within that ti)efra)e0 After that1 nor)al )il2 pro"u!tion ta2es over an" the a)ount of i))uno%lobulin is "ilute" by the nor)al )il2 se!retion0

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    +t is preferable to !olle!t !olostru) shortly after the healthy foal has nurse" the )are for the firstti)e1 be!ause over ti)e the !on!entration of i))u6no%lobulins will be "ilute" by in!reasin% )il2pro"u!tion0 After the foal has nurse"1 appro*i)ately one pint !an be obtaine" safely fro) the)are without ris2in% any !olostru) "efi!ien!y to her foal0 nly ei%ht to 7? oun!es of !olostru)shoul" be !olle!te"66one ti)e66fro) ea!h )are per foalin% so as not to "eprive the foal0

    +t shoul" be note" that if !olostru) is store" in a !olostru) ban2 where it )i%ht be a")inistere"to foals fro) other )ares1 it is essential to have the !olostru) teste" prior to free9in% for thepresen!e of spe!ifi! antibo"ies to e/uine re" bloo" !ell types Aa an" a0 -hese are the )ost!o))on bloo" types that result in a !olostru) !ross6)at!h abnor)ality 2nown as neonatalisoerythrolysis 3N+ or Baun"i!e" foal40 +n that situation1 the anti6Aa or anti6 a antibo"ies in the!olostru) bin" to those spe!ifi! bloo" types on the foal,s re" bloo" !ells1 thus !ausin% there)oval of those antibo"y6!oate" re" bloo" !ells fro) the foal,s bloo" !ir!ulation an" resultin% inane)ia an" Baun"i!e0

    -estin% !an be "one by several veterinary laboratories aroun" the !ountry1 at so)e of the lar%er referral pra!ti!es1 an" in the veterinary s!hools0

    Da*idson>Mc+ee, a large, $ig$>intensity e !ine referral $ospital in3e4ington, 5y. 2e is an AAEP mem%er 6it$ specialty interest in e !ine neonatal intensi*e careand prenatal assessment of t$e fet!s (perinatology". 2is Diplomates are in t$e American Collegeof Veterinary Internal Medicine, American College of Veterinary Pat$ologists, and AmericanCollege of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

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    "anagement of Congenital Fle3ural 6imb *eformities inthe Foal

    by Stephen Adams8 *!"8 "S

    ,N#RO*+C#,ON+n foals1 restri!tion of a Boint in a fle*e" position or the inability to e*ten" a Boint !o)pletely ister)e" a fle*ural li)b "efor)ity0 Fle*ural li)b "efor)ities )ay be !on%enital 3present at birth4 or a!/uire" 3"evelope" after birth40 Su%%este" !auses of !on%enital fle*ural "efor)ities in!lu"e)alposition in the uterus1 %eneti! pre"isposition1 poor nutrition an" e*posure to to*ins0 Con%enital

    fle*ural "efor)ities usually involve the 2nee or fetlo!2 Boints an" ran%e in severity fro) )il"fle*ion of one Boint to e*tre)e fle*ion of several Boints0 Althou%h foals with severe fle*ion of thefetlo!2 )ay respon" to treat)ent1 those with severe fle*ion of the 2nee are unli2ely to i)provean" often are euthanati9e"0

    "E*,CA6 #REA#"EN#+t is i)portant for the veterinarian that is e*a)inin% a newborn foal with fle*ural li)b "efor)ities to"eter)ine if the foal !an stan" without assistan!e0 +f the foal !an stan"1 spe!ifi! treat)ent for fle*ural li)b "efor)ities is often unne!essary0 -hese foals shoul" have !ontrolle" e*er!ise su!has turnout in a s)all pa""o!2 with the )are for one hour "aily0 -he %oals of !ontrolle" e*er!iseare to help len%then or stret!h the soft tissues on the ba!2 of the le% 3ten"ons1 li%a)ents1 Boint!apsules4 while prote!tin% the li)bs fro) overuse0 Pro%ress towar"s nor)al li)b e*tensionshoul" be )onitore" "aily0 So)e foals !an bear wei%ht on the li)b with the fetlo!2 Boint 2nu!2le"forwar" 3fle*e"40 As a result1 the ten"ons on the front of the le% be!o)e taut an" the ten"ons onthe ba!2 of the le% be!o)e la*0 +n these instan!es1 the li)b shoul" be splinte" to e*ten" thefetlo!2 Boint an" loa" the ten"ons on the ba!2 of the le%0 +f the foal !annot stan"1 splintin% the li)bin an e*ten"e" position is ne!essary to allow the foal s bo"y wei%ht to loa" an" stret!h theten"ons an" other soft tissues on the ba!2 of the le%0 Your veterinarian will ta2e !are to apply thesplints !arefully as they !an easily !ause pressure sores "ue to the fra%ile nature of the foal s s2inan" the pressure that is re/uire" to e*ten" the li)b0 -he splints are left on for a )a*i)u) of ei%hthours0 +f re6appli!ation of the splints is ne!essary1 the li)b shoul" be unsplinte" for several hoursbefore the splints are applie" a%ain0 Corre!tive shoein% in foals with !on%enital fle*ural"efor)ities is usually li)ite" to applyin% toe e*tensions0 -oe e*tensions1 )ost valuable in foalswith fetlo!2 fle*ion1 !an be "iffi!ult to 2eep on the foal s foot0 Hoof a!ryli! an" alu)inu) plates)ay be use" or !o))er!ial %lue6on shoes are also available0 +ntravenous a")inistration of o*ytetra!y!line )ay be useful in treatin% foals with !on%enital fle*ural "efor)ities to rela* theten"ons0 +)prove)ent is fre/uently observe" after a sin%le treat)ent but your veterinarian )aynee" to a")inister up to three !onse!utive "ays of treat)ent0 *ytetra!y!line appears to be )osteffe!tive if use" in the first few "ays of life1 espe!ially with fetlo!2 "efor)ities1 but it )ay be usefulin ol"er foals0 Splints are often use" in !onBun!tion with o*ytetra!yline0 Nonsteroi"al anti6infla))atory "ru%s shoul" be use" in the treat)ent of !on%enital fle*ural "efor)ities be!ause theli)bs are often painful fro) stret!hin% of the soft tissues0 -hese "ru%s )ay !ause ul!ers1however1 re"u!in% li)b pain an" pro)otin% e*er!ise will ai" re!overy0

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    S+R-,CA6 #REA#"EN#Sur%ery to !ut restri!tive ten"ons1 li%a)ents or Boint !apsules is often not ne!essary for treat)entof foals with !on%enital fle*ural "efor)ities1 an" shoul" be reserve" for foals that fail to respon"to other treat)ents0 Foals with a!/uire" "efor)ities are )ore li2ely to re/uire sur%ery0 Manyhorses !an be!o)e su!!essful athletes after the a!!essory 3!he!24 li%a)ents are !ut0 However !uttin% the ten"ons or the suspensory li%a)ent in ani)als inten"e" as athletes is notre!o))en"e"0 -hese ani)als !an be use" for bree"in% or in so)e instan!es for very li%htpleasure wor20 Fusion of the Boint )ay be the treat)ent of !hoi!e for ani)als with severe fetlo!2"efor)ities of )ar2e" fle*ion an" abnor)ally6shape" bones0 -his pro!e"ure !an result in apasture6soun" ani)al0

    S+""AR4 Althou%h fle*ural li)b "efor)ities in foals are a !o))on orthope"i! proble)1 no sin%le treat)entre%i)e is always su!!essful be!ause of the ran%e of severity0 Many !on%enital fle*ural li)b"efor)ities !an be treate" su!!essfully without sur%ery0 Controlle" e*er!ise1 splintin%1 !orre!tiveshoein%1 o*ytetra!y!line an" pain62illers )ay be !o)ponents of su!!essful treat)ent0 Manyhorses re/uirin% sur%ery of the a!!essory li%a)ents !an be use" for ri"in%1 ra!in%1 an"!o)petition0

    70 title Mana%e)ent of Con%enital Fle*ural 'i)b Defor)ities in the Foal @0 author Stephen A"a)s>0 bio D5M1 MS :0 sour!e AAEP !onvention I0 "ate Nove)ber @??? ;0 !ate%ory foals an"weanlin%s la)eness bones an" Boints 0 te*t

    poste" ;87;8@??@0 'ast up"ate" ;87;8@??@0

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    :0 +f si%ns of epiphysitis 3infla))ation of the %rowth plates of bones41 su!h as heat or swellin% atthe %rowth plates above the 2nee or fetlo!21 or other "efor)ities appear1 the a)ount of !on!entrate shoul" be re"u!e" temporarily while the total ration,s nutrient !ontent is assesse"03For )ore on epiphysitis1 see TEpiphysitisT in the May 7KKK issue of 8$e 2orse 1http 88www0thehorse0!o)8/f0aspOfi" >7K&"pt ; 04 Any "efi!its or e*!esses shoul" be !orre!te"1an" a properly balan!e" ration shoul" be re6intro"u!e" as soon as possible0 Fee"in% only %rasshay an" oats for a prolon%e" perio" of ti)e will result in wei%ht loss an" poor %rowth1 an" will not!orre!t the proble)0

    #ara$ 1alston, VMD, P$D, Dipl. ACVN, is an associate professor in t$e Department of Animal #cience at Coo- College, 1!tgers, 8$e #tate )ni*ersity of Ne6 ?ersey. 2er researc$ o*er t$e

    past eig$t years $as foc!sed on gl!cose=ins!lin meta%olism and gro6t$ in yo!ng $orses. #$e$as also done st!dies on *itamin s!pplementation, transportation stress, and n!trition of aged $orses. 3ydia Miller, DVM, is t$e AAEP 96ner Ed!cation Cons!ltant.

    74 title Fee"in% Youn% Horses +t,s Not the Protein. @4 author Sarah $alston >4 bio 5MD1 PhD1Dipl0 AC5N :4 sour!e Foru) http 88www0thehorse0!o)8viewarti!le0aspOfi" >?I: I4 "ate May

    @??7 ;4 )enu !ate%ory nutrition1 foals an" weanlin%s

    AAEP Mission StatementTo improve the health and welfare of the horse, to further the professional

    development of its members, and to provide resources and leadership for the benefit of the equine industry.

    Ame i!an Asso!iation o" E#$ine P a!titione s% ( I on Wo )s Pi)eLe*in+ton, -. % (//

    01 12 3445 /%

    6667aae87o +

    poste" ;87;8@??@0 'ast up"ate" ;87;8@??@0

    http://www.thehorse.com/qf.asp?fid=319&dpt=6http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.asp?fid=3054http://www.aaep.org/http://www.thehorse.com/qf.asp?fid=319&dpt=6http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.asp?fid=3054http://www.aaep.org/
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    Building a Foundation of Foot Care in Foals

    by Stephen E7 OD-rady8 *!"8 "RC!S

    Stephen E0 Gra"y1 D5M1 M$C5S

    A)on% the )any fa!tors that "eter)ine the su!!ess of a foal as a sales yearlin% or a )atureathlete are )ana%e)ent "e!isions about its feet an" li)bs "urin% its first four )onths of life0#e!ause a soli" foun"ation for perfor)an!e in the future be%ins with foot !are in the foal1 )anylea"in% bree"in% far)s use pro%ra)s that !o)bine the s2ills of a veterinarian 3with an interest inpo"iatry4 with the s2ills of a farrier0 -his Boint venture allows an earlier an" )ore a!!urate"ia%nosis1 treat)ent an" pro%nosis of foot proble)s0 Althou%h this type of preventive pro%ra))ay be ti)e6!onsu)in%1 if it !orre!ts a foot or li)b proble) an" in!reases the athleti! potential of even one ani)al1 it is a worthwhile invest)ent0

    Evaluatin% the foal

    Careful observation an" re!or"62eepin% be%ins at birth an" !ontinues throu%hout the foal s"evelop)ent0 -he physi!al appearan!e of a foal s li)bs an" feet at birth shoul" be re!or"e"1alon% with !han%es that o!!ur as he or she %rows0 (hen e*a)inin% the feet an" li)bs1 ani)a%inary "ot syste) wor2s ni!ely0 Startin% at the %roun" surfa!e of the foot1 an i)a%inary "ot ispla!e" on the toe1 !oronary ban"1 fetlo!21 top of !annon bone1 2nee1 top of 2nee an" top of forear)0 #y !onne!tin% these "ots with an i)a%inary line1 it is easy to see if an"8or where a"efor)ity e*ists0 +n the i"eal situation1 the "ots shoul" for) a strai%ht line when viewe" fro) thefront0

    Ne*t1 view the foal fro) the si"e0 Che!2 to see if the !oronary ban" is level1 or1 parallel with the%roun"1 an" if the hoof an" pastern an%les are the sa)e66not bro2en forwar" or bro2enba!2war"0 Also1 any swellin%s of the li)b or Boints shoul" be note"0

    Finally1 wat!h the foal wal2 towar" an" away fro) you0 #e!ause this !an be "iffi!ult1 as theysel"o) wal2 strai%ht1 wal2 the )are alon% a fen!e or wall an" let the foal follow0 -his part of thee*a)ination !he!2s for any la)eness that )ay be present1 the ar! of the foot fli%ht1 how the footbrea2s over at the toe an" espe!ially how the foot !onta!ts the %roun"0 Foals shoul" be observe"wal2in% ea!h ti)e their feet are tri))e"0

    -ri))in% the foal

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    be pai" to the stru!tural inte%rity of the foot 3its si9e an" )ass4 than to its !os)eti! appearan!e0-he %oal is to pro)ote the %rowth of thi!21 "urable hoof wall ensure )a*i)u) sole "epth toprote!t the white line an" !offin bone an" establish a stron% heel base0 -hese three fa!torsZstron% hoof wall1 a"e/uate sole an" soli" heelZare vital for future soun"ness0

    +n )ost !ases1 all that is ne!essary to tri) foals that are 2ept on a )onthly s!he"ule is a hoof pi!2

    an" rasp0 -he fro% is left untou!he" to serve as a prote!tive )e!hanis)1 absorbin% an""issipatin% !on!ussive for!es0 Sin!e the sole in a foal is e*tre)ely thin1 it is also left untou!he" toprovi"e prote!tion to i))ature "evelopin% stru!tures in the foot0 $e)ovin% as little hoof wall aspossible an" si)ply shapin% an" s)oothin% !auses it to be!o)e thi!2er an" )ore "urable0

    -he obBe!tive in tri))in% foals is to a!hieve balan!e1 that is1 to en!oura%e the foot to lan" flat1 or !onta!t the %roun" evenly0 Careful thou%ht shoul" be %iven before usin% !orre!tive tri))in%pro!e"ures on a foal with a li)b "efor)ity0 Sin!e the proble) is %enerally a !onfor)ational"efor)ity of stru!tures above the foot1 !han%in% the balan!e of the foot )ay lea" to other proble)s0 Careful e*a)ination of a foal s li)bs at birth an" throu%hout its first few )onths66alon%with a!!urate re!or"62eepin% an" a %oo" wor2in% relationship between you1 your veterinarian1an" your farrierZare the 2eys to a soun"1 athleti! horse in the future0

    poste" ;87;8@??@0 'ast up"ate" ;87;8@??@0


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