Oct2010 FOALS
– What’s Normal and When to Call the Vet
The arrival of a long awaited foal is an exciting time for horse owners and breeders but, like all newborns, foals are very fragile and it is important that they are monitored closely in the first days, weeks and months of life so any problems can be quickly identified and treated before becoming potentially life-threatening.
The arrival of a long awaited foal is an exciting time for horse owners and breeders but, like all newborns, foals are very fragile and it is important that they are monitored closely in the first days, weeks and months of life so any problems can be quickly identified and treated before becoming potentially life-threatening.
It is vital therefore that owners and breeders have good knowledge of what is normal and what is abnormal in regard to foal behaviour and progression.
Normal Foal Parameters and Behaviour
Maintenance of sternal recumbency (sitting up on chest) within 1-2 minutes of birth
Suckle reflex within half an hour
Stand within 1 hour
Nurse from the mare within 2 hours
Urination usually 6-10 hours after foaling (earlier in colts than fillies) but can be quite variable.
Meconium is the first faeces passed by the foal – the majority should be passed in the first 24 hours. Foals may strain to pass it but this shouldn’t be excessive.
Frequent nursing (up to 7 times per hour). It is not enough to see the foal at the udder to ensure adequate nursing – look to see that it is latching on with a tongue seal and that it keeps the udder stripped. A mare which is dripping milk or is bagged up likely has a sick foal.
Foals spend a lot of time sleeping and sleep lying down. They should wake quickly if stimulated, be alert straight away and get up to nurse.
When should I be worried? When should I call the Vet?
The most important thing to know about foals is that they can be very deceptive in the initial stages of illness and subtle changes can be the only indicators that something is wrong before the foal “crashes”. Any deviation from the above parameters, especially in the initial hours after birth, warrants an urgent visit by your veterinarian. Newborn foals that are slow to rise and nurse or who are unable to do so are usually very sick and require prompt attention.
If you notice your foal is a bit quiet or depressed and ‘off the suck’ in the evening DO NOT wait until the morning to call the vet. A delayed reaction may result in you finding a comatose or dead foal in the morning. Remember, a sleepy or disinterested foal is a sick foal!
Other signs of an abnormal foal include: decreased affinity for the mare, aimless wandering, sucking on everything but the teat (including things in the environment) and falling asleep on its feet. These signs are commonly seen with ‘dummy foals’ which are foals that have been deprived of adequate oxygen during birth. This syndrome is often termed Hypoxic Ischaemic Sydrome or Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome and has a broad spectrum of severity but the most severely affected foals will not just have behavioural problems but will show kidney, gastrointestinal and lung disease as well. It is imperative that these foals are immediately assessed and treated by a veterinarian.
Other specific clinical signs that warrant urgent veterinary attention include:
Milk dribbling from the nostrils during feeding or milk staining over the foal’s face- may indicate cleft palate or a dummy foal.
Yellow gums or sclera (white of the eye)- may indicate Neonatal Isoerythrolysis, a syndrome where the antibodies in the mare’s colostrum are incompatible with the foal and cause breakdown of the foal’s red blood cells.
Excessive straining to pass urine or faeces or continuing to posture to urinate with decreasing urine output- may indicate meconium impaction or ruptured bladder.
Any heat, swelling or discharge from the umbilicus (belly button), including urine drainage. An umbilical infection or a patent urachus can be a cause, or be a result of illness in the foal.
Diarrhoea- despite being common in the first few months of life, foals become rapidly dehydrated and diarrhoea can be a potentially critical illness.
Lameness in a foal is NEVER normal and should NEVER be ignored. Joint and bone infections are extremely common and quick, aggressive treatment is required to prevent career and life threatening joint and bone damage.
Teeth grinding- can be a sign of gastric ulceration.
Colic- acute abdominal pain is usually exhibited by the foal rolling on its back.
Entropion or turning in of the eyelids- can result in ulceration of the cornea if not corrected.
It is vital for horse owners and breeders to closely monitor their foals and be alert to any changes in behaviour or signs of potential disease. It is imperative that veterinary attention is sought quickly if you suspect that something is wrong to avoid potentially fatal consequences.
If in doubt it is always better to ring and seek advice from your veterinarian than ignore the signs. This will give you the best chance of rearing a happy, healthy foal.
Dayboro Veterinary Surgery
Normal Foal Parameters and Behaviour
Maintenance of sternal recumbency (sitting up on chest) within 1-2 minutes of birth
Suckle reflex within half an hour
Stand within 1 hour
Nurse from the mare within 2 hours
Urination usually 6-10 hours after foaling (earlier in colts than fillies) but can be quite variable.
Meconium is the first faeces passed by the foal – the majority should be passed in the first 24 hours. Foals may strain to pass it but this shouldn’t be excessive.
Frequent nursing (up to 7 times per hour). It is not enough to see the foal at the udder to ensure adequate nursing – look to see that it is latching on with a tongue seal and that it keeps the udder stripped. A mare which is dripping milk or is bagged up likely has a sick foal.
Foals spend a lot of time sleeping and sleep lying down. They should wake quickly if stimulated, be alert straight away and get up to nurse.
When should I be worried? When should I call the Vet?
The most important thing to know about foals is that they can be very deceptive in the initial stages of illness and subtle changes can be the only indicators that something is wrong before the foal “crashes”. Any deviation from the above parameters, especially in the initial hours after birth, warrants an urgent visit by your veterinarian. Newborn foals that are slow to rise and nurse or who are unable to do so are usually very sick and require prompt attention.
If you notice your foal is a bit quiet or depressed and ‘off the suck’ in the evening DO NOT wait until the morning to call the vet. A delayed reaction may result in you finding a comatose or dead foal in the morning. Remember, a sleepy or disinterested foal is a sick foal!
Other signs of an abnormal foal include: decreased affinity for the mare, aimless wandering, sucking on everything but the teat (including things in the environment) and falling asleep on its feet. These signs are commonly seen with ‘dummy foals’ which are foals that have been deprived of adequate oxygen during birth. This syndrome is often termed Hypoxic Ischaemic Sydrome or Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome and has a broad spectrum of severity but the most severely affected foals will not just have behavioural problems but will show kidney, gastrointestinal and lung disease as well. It is imperative that these foals are immediately assessed and treated by a veterinarian.
Other specific clinical signs that warrant urgent veterinary attention include:
Milk dribbling from the nostrils during feeding or milk staining over the foal’s face- may indicate cleft palate or a dummy foal.
Yellow gums or sclera (white of the eye)- may indicate Neonatal Isoerythrolysis, a syndrome where the antibodies in the mare’s colostrum are incompatible with the foal and cause breakdown of the foal’s red blood cells.
Excessive straining to pass urine or faeces or continuing to posture to urinate with decreasing urine output- may indicate meconium impaction or ruptured bladder.
Any heat, swelling or discharge from the umbilicus (belly button), including urine drainage. An umbilical infection or a patent urachus can be a cause, or be a result of illness in the foal.
Diarrhoea- despite being common in the first few months of life, foals become rapidly dehydrated and diarrhoea can be a potentially critical illness.
Lameness in a foal is NEVER normal and should NEVER be ignored. Joint and bone infections are extremely common and quick, aggressive treatment is required to prevent career and life threatening joint and bone damage.
Teeth grinding- can be a sign of gastric ulceration.
Colic- acute abdominal pain is usually exhibited by the foal rolling on its back.
Entropion or turning in of the eyelids- can result in ulceration of the cornea if not corrected.
It is vital for horse owners and breeders to closely monitor their foals and be alert to any changes in behaviour or signs of potential disease. It is imperative that veterinary attention is sought quickly if you suspect that something is wrong to avoid potentially fatal consequences.
If in doubt it is always better to ring and seek advice from your veterinarian than ignore the signs. This will give you the best chance of rearing a happy, healthy foal.
Dayboro Veterinary Surgery
125 McKenzie Street,
Dayboro. Phone 3425 1544.
