AVC Equine Club March 2011FOALS
http://www.merricks.com/gif/WL001307.jpg
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
http://my.opera.com/Tamil
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
http://nicuvet.com/nicuvet/Gallery_1/index.htm
http://nicuvet.com/nicuvet/Gallery_1/index.htm
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 ...
http://www.sparksportconditioning.com/crossfit-motivated-people-only
Thank
you