AVC Equine Club March 2011FOALS

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Some basics

Gestation length: ~356 days (320-405 days)

& variable from one gestation to the next Premature: <320 days Dysmature: >320 days but physically

immature Neonatal period: ~ first 2 weeks of life

Normal foal

Size: 10% of mare’s body weight Sternal <1-2 min BAR <5 min Standing <1 hour Nursing <2 hours Placenta passed <3 hours

http://portraitswithhorses.com/blog/?p=430

Rules of thumb

“1-2-3” rule Stand by 1 hour Nurse by 2 hours Placenta passed by 3 hours

“2-4-6” rule – call vet if Not standing by 2 hours Not nursed by 4 hours Placenta not passed by 6 hourshttp://seafieldapartments.com

Normal foal

Heart rate: 60-110 beats per minute Respiratory rate: 20-50 breaths per

minute Temperature: 37.8 – 38.9 Meconium passage ~24h First urination ~8-9h

300mL/h Recumbent ~30% of the time Nurses 5-8x/hour (~80mL/feeding)

Signs of prematurity

Small Short, silky hair coat Floppy ears Lax tendons Unregulated homeostasis

http://www.aurumperformancehorses.com.au/storyofhewey.html

What is the most important thing? Colostrum Colostrum Colostrum

~10% of foals’ body weight 20mL/kg in first 6 hours (1L)

Maximum absorptive capacity by 8h Absorption of immunoglobulins decreased >18-

24h

No colostrum...

= failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT)

Problem? Increased susceptibility to infections Sepsis = most common cause of

morbidity/mortality

http://www.vahorsevet.com

How to diagnose FPT?

Measure immunoglobulin levels in serum Various different tests At AVC:

Glutaraldehyde coagulation test Enzyme immunoassay (SNAP test)

When to test? 18-24h after birth

“I saw my foal nurse...”

“... therefore it won’t have FPT...”

True or false?

Other causes of FPT? Mare dripping milk prior to foaling Poor colostrum quality

Specific gravity <1.060

Treatment of FPT?

Bottle/tube feed colostrum Plasma

:http//www.yallambeestud.comhttp://article.wn.com http://www.grullablue.com/colors/raising_orphan_foal.htm

What is also important?

Disinfecting the umbilicus 0.5% chlorhexidine solution

Vitamin E / selenium

The majority of foals...

...do well and do not need assistance

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php?topic=2175.0%3Ball

Foals presented to the AVC

Are usually neonates (<2weeks) End up being intensive care cases

FPT → sepsis Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

(‘dummy’ foals) Other

Accompanied by mare of varying temperament May need veterinary attention as well

http://image48.webshots.com

Good management...

...relies on TEAM work 1-2 people for foal restraint 1-2 people for technical procedures 1-2 people to assist 1-2 people to take care of mare

Ideal for work-up: up to 8 people Ideal for ‘foal watch’: 2 people

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What would you be doing?

Restraining Physical exams Running blood work; testing for FPT Administering drugs Running IV-fluids Feeding (bottle, nasogastric tube,

monitoring nursing) Monitoring oxygen Physiotherapy

What you would not be doing

Taking blood Exception: measuring glucose

Placing catheters Passing nasogastric tubes

Do you have guidance?

In-house Try to team you up with a 4th year student Floating night technician Possibly dedicated technician

Resident/intern On call Coming in if crisis

What do we expect?

We know you probably don’t have experience

... but this is a good way to get some...

We expect you To be reliable To be reliable To be reliable

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http://nicuvet.com/nicuvet/Gallery_1/index.htm

http://nicuvet.com/nicuvet/Gallery_1/index.htm

http://nicuvet.com/nicuvet/Gallery_1/index.htm

How is it organized?

Depends on the number of interested people

Lots of people Make teams (team leader; # of people per

team?) Assign specific dates (Day? Week?) to a

team If team signed up, responsible for

coverage! Only a handful of people

Depends on willingness to commit Sign up for specific dates – responsible for

coverage! Get called randomly and we take a chance...

So what happens if a foal comes in?

Most help needed between 11pm - 7am and Saturdays/Sundays

Usually ‘heads-up’ 4th year students on rotation involved Work-up

Usually hectic Once stabilized

Make plan

What’s in it for you?

Money? No. Sleepless nights? Likely. A good time? Hopefully. Experience? Yes. Coffee in the morning? Could be

arranged...

http://www.realtiredpeople.com

http://wabby1.blogspot.com/

Not just interested in foals...?

We’re often looking for help with other cases Colic cases Other newborns (crias) ‘Downer’ animals ...

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Thank

you