the foal – Flashcard
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
A healthy foal
answer
Is up and nursing 4-6 times an hour Latches on vigorously and head butts the mare Urinates frequently, clear Is difficult to find feces in stall Is either very friendly or tries to run away and kick you when you go in the stall
question
a sick foal
answer
Only gets up to nurse 1-2 x an hour, or not at all. Roots around under the mare, gets milk sprayed all over the head and doesn't really latch on. Strains to urinate, or urine is dark yellow. Has diarrhea on rump and tail or is straining to poop. Isn't interested in playing with you or beating you up
question
TPR A healthy foal (neonate)
answer
T: 98-101.5F P: 90-120bpm R: 20-40/min MM: pink, moist CRT: <2sec Umbilicus small and dry, no manure on rump, active and ambulating well belly bottom diameter of a number 2 pencil or smaller
question
TPR a sick foal ( neonate)
answer
T: 101.5F P: 120bpm R: 40/min MM: yellow, red, purple CRT: >2sec Diarrhea, lethargic, swollen joints, swollen / dripping umbilicus, etc
question
True or False: Foals have a hard time thermoregulating
answer
true
question
Risk factors for a sick foal
answer
Mare sick or underweight during pregnancy Placentitis Premature lactation or poor colostral quality Abnormal delivery (prolonged, red bag, C-section, dystocia) Delivery in a contaminated environment
question
1-2-3 of foaling
answer
1 hour the foal should be standing -foals will usually start attempting to stand at 20 minutes and should be up within 1 hour and looking for udder 2 hours for the foal should be nursing -if foal hasn't found udder by 90 minute, you can gently guide them there 3 hours placenta should be passed
question
Immediately after foal
answer
pull fetal membranes away from foal nose, but leave the rest alone DO NOT BREAK?CUT UMBILICAL CORD DO NOT PULL ON FETAL MEMBRANES
question
true or false: try and let the umbilical cord break naturally?
answer
true
question
Once the umbilical cord breaks, what do you do?
answer
dip umbilicus in 1:4 chlorhexidine:water
question
true or false: 3 to 6 hours foals should be passing meconium
answer
true
question
what is meconium
answer
brown/black feces
question
when to call the vet
answer
Any dystocia / abnormal delivery Foal not up / nursing within 2-3hrs Placenta not out in 3hrs Foal is straining to defecate or urinate Foal nurses normally for first 6-12hrs, then starts to fade or loose interest. Foal (neonate) has diarrhea
question
Routine Newborn Foal Care
answer
Monitor! Monitor! Monitor! -Watch attitude, nursing, strength, etc Dip Umbilicus
question
how do you trip umbilicus
answer
-1:4 Chlorhexidine q4hr x 24hr then q6hr x 3d
question
New goal exam by vet is when? what do they check?
answer
18-24hrs -IgG levels -Basic physical, exam of umbilicus, joints, etc.
question
IgG levels
answer
Way to tell if a foal is protected by a mothers colostrum is to draw blood and check what
question
colostrum Passive Transfer
answer
The newborn foal has a functional but very naïve immune system Transfer of maternal antibodies via mare's colostrum is critical for a foal's survival Colostral antibodies are absorbed across a foals intestinal tract and into bloodstream during within first 24hrs of life Adequate passive transfer reduces risk of sepsis (infection), but does not provide 100% protection
question
Failure or Partial Failure of Passive Transfer (fit/pfpt)
answer
Inadequate antibody levels in foal blood 18-24hrs of age -Failure to ingest sufficient quantity (not nursing enough) -Poor quality colostrum or premature lactation
question
How to test the IgG levels
answer
snap test
question
what is IgG? where do you get it?
answer
Immunoglobulin G colostrum
question
Colostrum is only absorb in the foals body up to
answer
24 hours of life absorption slows down after 8 hours
question
FPT or PFPT
answer
Foal's antibody (IgG) levels should be checked at about 24hrs of age ->800mg/dl: adequate -400-800mg/dl: partial failure -<400mg/dl: failure of passive transfer Treatment of FPT/PFPT -Veterinarian's discretion, but usually transfusion of plasma (IV) and administration of antibiotics to minimize chances of infection.
question
Does a foal with >800mg/dl levels of IgG need antibiotics?
answer
no
question
Does a foal with 400-800mg/dl levels of IgG need treatment
answer
boost of antibodies, ( blood transfusion) NOT every foal needs
question
Does a foal with <400mg/dl levels of IgG need treatment
answer
yes, risk for infection need antibiotics and transfer of plasma
question
Perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS) is also known as
answer
the dummy foal
question
Perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS) (dummy foal)
answer
foal was deprive of oxygen before or during birth -Placentitis -Premature placental separation -Red Bag Delivery -Dystocia
question
Perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS) (dummy foal) clinical signs and treatment
answer
Foal nurses initially, but then fades and looses ability to nurse in 12-24hrs (dummy or septic) Foal never figures out how to nurse in the first place -Will result in a FPT foal with sepsis unless addressed Bloody diarrhea / colic / aimless wandering / seizures- severe cases Treatment -Colostrum / Plasma, Fluids, IV nutritional support, Anti-inflammatories usually learn to nurse in 2-5 days with supportive care
question
Septic Foal
answer
birth to 10 days not nursing enough or at all signs: lethargic, not getting up to romp or play, weak, fever
question
To check a foal to see if they are septic is to check the mare udder for what?
answer
mares's udder is full or dripping milk meaning a foal is not nursing at all or not enough
question
If a septic foal a 911 case?
answer
yes needs to be evaluated and treated immediately
question
Septic foal of source of infection in the neonate
answer
Ingestion of bacteria when searching for colostrum Infected placenta (en utero infection) Infected umbilicus ( foaling in a contaminated environment)
question
diarrheic foals (birth to 2 months)
answer
Diarrhea shortly after birth = septic foal Diarrhea at 8-14d but foal is otherwise healthy, strong and active = "foal heat diarrhea"
question
Foal Heat diarrhea
answer
Associated with change in foal's intestinal bacterial population from purely milk digesters to handling forage Usually occurs about the time foals start eating mare's manure
question
Foal Heat diarrhea true or false:you wouldn't know that the foals are sick because they are bouncing off the walls
answer
true
question
True or False: foals who have diarrhea are diagnose as septic foals until proven otherwise?
answer
true
question
True or false: foals should not have diarrhea
answer
TRUE
question
true or false:Diarrhea at any age that is associated with lethargy, decreased appetite = septic
answer
true
question
What are the most common bacteria in septic foals
answer
Rotavirus, Clostridium and Salmonella
question
The coughing foal [Usually older foals (rarely neonates)]
answer
Rhodococcus equi Ascarid Migration Herpes Virus Streptococcus zooepidemicus
question
coughing foal with Rhodococcus equi
answer
4wks - 4months of age Bacterial pneumonia / abscessation Often endemic on certain farms
question
coughing foal with ascarid migration
answer
2 months to 2 years
question
coughing foal with herpes virus
answer
usually 3 months to 2 years
question
coughing foal with Streptococcus zooepidemicus
answer
usually >3 months but can be younger
question
True or false: lame foals is almost never that the mare stepped on the foal
answer
true
question
lame foals
answer
Young foals- septic (infected) joint or physis (growth plate) from systemic or umbilical infection 3wk-6mo- rapid growth causing inflammation of the growth plates (physitis), which results in pain, lameness and growth deformities
question
foals with swollen joints Septic arthritis
answer
Painful, fever, other signs of infection Can be one or multiple joints
question
true or false: Foals with swollen joints are diagnose as septic arthritis until proven otherwise
answer
true
question
foals with swollen joints non-septic synovitis
answer
Inflammation of multiple joints, non-septic Usually not lame
question
foals with swollen joints developmental orthopedic disease
answer
Osteochondrosis- defective ossification of cartilage
question
Colicky foals
answer
Neonates -meconium impaction Bladder rupture Impaction Small Intestinal twists/strangulation Gastro-duodenal uclers Ascarid Impactions
question
True or false: foals are more common to have Gastro-duodenal uclers
answer
true
question
Bladder rupture in colicky foals usually occur in
answer
colts that are less than 3 days of age
question
what are the three Flexural Limb Deformities
answer
flexor laxity contracted tendons club foot
question
Flexural Limb Deformities Flexor Laxity
answer
down on pasterns, toes tipped up -controlled exercise and usually resolve
question
Flexural limb deformities contracted tendons
answer
"Over at the knees" -Oxytetracycline, splints, casts
question
Flexural limb deformities club foot
answer
Congenital defect- do not breed
question
what are the Angular limb deformities?
answer
valgus varus
question
valgus
answer
angles out
question
varus a
answer
angles in
question
what is the treatment of angular limb deformities
answer
Corrective trimming Limited exercise Surgery if indicated -Physeal stimulation -Periosteal transection and elevation -Transphyseal bridging
question
What are the developmental orthopedic disease
answer
Nutritional Physitis / Epiphysitis Osteochondrosis Wobblers
question
Developmental orthopedic disease Nutritional Physitis / Epiphysitis
answer
Rapid growth, over feeding, some heritable -Lame foals, usually develop contracted tendons, swollen growth plates
question
Developmental orthopedic disease Osteochondrosis
answer
Failure of normal endochondral ossification -Weak cartilage or cartilage flaps develop in joints -Swollen joints, +/- lameness -Heritable and nutritional component
question
Developmental orthopedic disease Wobblers
answer
Associated with osteochondrosis in vertebrae
question
If you breed wobblers to wobblers they can be
answer
osteochondrosis
question
Foal case 1 3d old Arabian Filly Initially stood, nursed, active, IgG >800. No problems with foaling Last 12hrs has been not nursing vigorously and has milk on her face, but is still getting up to nurse Just started with pasty manure. T: 102.4, P: 124, R: 36, MM: dark pink, tacky Watery diarrhea (submitted for testing) Low white blood cell count (infection)
answer
Septic foal with clostridial diarrhea* Treated aggressively Plasma, IV fluids, Antibiotics, intestinal support Full recovery in 7 days.
question
Foal case 2 6hr QH filly Never stood and nursed, seizure-like activity Foaling normal, but foal small and underdeveloped Placenta thin and poor quality
answer
*** Perinatal Asphyxia Syndrome*** Treatment- fluids, plasma, anti-oxidants, seizure control, nutritional support Full recovery in 5 days
question
Foal case 3 Born at 318d gestation Full size, incomplete muscle development Initially lax at fetlocks, contracted at carpi Bones fully developed on radiographs
answer
Flexural / contractural limb deformities Treated with splints, oxytetracycline, pain medications, physical therapy, etc 90% recovery at last check
question
what is the scary window if the horse is born early
answer
320 days
