Foal cases

What needs to be checked when a mare has just foaled (mare checks)?

• High risk pregnancy?

• Parturition concerns?

• Maiden?

• TPR

  • any vaginal discharge?

• Assessment of placenta

• Assessment of vulva

• Assessment of udder

• Assessment of temparament / demeanour

• Check gut sounds —> high risk of colic as not been eating & drinking

• Placenta present? —> considered retained if >2-3hrs post foaling

  • if out, examine by laying on ground, check if whole —> “F” shaped

    • top of F = pregnant horn, bottom of F non-pregnant horn

• Check for milk production

• Check peritoneum —> vulval / peritoneal tear

What needs to be checked when a mare has just foaled (foal checks)?

• High risk pregnancy?

• Parturition concerns?

• Detailed clin exam

  • TPR —> eyes, ears, palate/nostrils, HR (any murmurs?), RR, neuro status, umbilicus, limbs, anus

    • entropion → corneal ulceration

    • PLR, no menace yet (learnt behaviour)

    • check for cleft palate —> milk out nose seen

    • nursing normally?

  • urine / meconium

  • ability to urinate & defecate?

  • umbilical / inguinal hernia

  • check for patent urachus later on…

• Measure IgG 12-24hrs post birth (check twice)

• Provide tetanus anti-toxin if required

• Provide enema (colt) —> meconium impaction risk due to narow pelvic inlet

  • will show colic signs if meconium impaction

CASE 1

What should be given first and foremost to a 1 do, flat, unable to stand foal that looked fine yesterday and no problems were reported during pregnancy?

Hypovolaemic so give fluids before anything else = 20ml/kg + assess after 15mins (up to 3x bolus)

Note: no NSAIDS because will compromise hypovolaemia further (and no evident pain)

CASE 1

Other than hypovol, what other problems might this foal have?

• Hypothermia

• Hypoglycaemia

• Agammaglobulinaemia (lack of colostrum → incr risk of sepsis)

correct + reasses

What does hyperimmune plasma provide?

(£££)

• Give slowly —> provides immunity + restores vol

What is the main clinical sign of neonatal maladjustment syndrome (dummy foal)?

Foal appearing to nurse but not actually latching —> developmental or congen → must watch vigilantly

What is the main clinical sign of a ruptured bladder?

Distended abdo

CASE 2

What is the most likely cause of the jaundice in a 3do filly with normal birth, now quiet demeanor and the following physical appearance?

What would you want to assess?

• Haemolysis (isoerythrolysis) —> where MDA attacks foal's RBCs

• Check PCV, mare behaviour

• Has mare had any more foals?

• Normal mentation of foal? Active nursing

• Maintain own hydration?

• Hypoxia? —> tachypnoea & tachycardia

• Check lactate (high) & PO2 (low)

CASE 2

How would you treat this?

• Blood transfusion —> RBCs needed + vol restored

  • make sure to crossmatch or wash RBCs of mare w/ saline

• Withold colostrum for 24-48rs from mother —> muzzle foal to prevent from nursing

  • Needs colostrum from elsewhere (diff mare —> test colostrum quality first)

CASE 2

How can this be prevented in future?

• Use diff stallion —> crossmatch so doesn’t happen again

CASE 3

How would you manage a 2mo colt with sudden inset R hock swelling, 3/10 lame and otherwise fine?

• Synoviocentesis first of tarsocrural joint

  • protein should be ~0 (<20g/L)

  • WCC should be ~ 0 (<5g/L)

  • ^^^ high = suspicious of neutrophilic inflam

What are the causes of synovial sepsis in adults vs foals?

Adults = penetrating injury

Foals = haematogenous —> bacteria from GIT, resp system, umbilicus or heart —> look for primary cause