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Pages 115 - 118 The Foal
Post-Foaling Care
The umbilical cord usually breaks when the mare stands
after foaling. Once the cord breaks, the umbilical stump (naval) should be
dipped or painted with betadine or chlorhexidine solution. Care should be
taken to avoid get¬ting these solutions on the foal's skin as it may
irritate or blister it. This treatment should be repeated four or five times
during the first twenty-four hours. The foal should also be given a tetanus
vaccine if the mare was not vaccinated within six weeks of foaling.
Shortly after being born, the foal will begin to make attempts to stand.
Most foals will stand within an hour of being born. Miniature horse foals
are especially quick to get to their feet, possibly because of their low
center of gravity. I have seen Miniature horse foals stand within fifteen
minutes of birth. If the foal does not begin making attempts to stand within
the first fifteen minutes or has not stood within the hour, a veterinarian
should be notified. Once the foal is standing, its legs can be evaluated for
abnormalities such as contractures, laxities, or angular limb deformities (ALDs)
that may need veterinary attention (see Abnormalities of Growth, p. 15).
After standing, the foal will begin to search for the teat and should nurse
within two hours of being born (fig. 7.17). The foal may become weak if it
does not eat in that two-hour time period. If the mare is moving about,
inhibiting the foals ability to find the udder, a handler can halter her and
hold her still. Some movement of the mare is normal and seems to be an
important tool in teaching the foal to follow the mare. However, if the foal
has been chasing the mare for more than an hour, intervention is warranted.
It is important that all interactions with the mare and foal be done as
quietly and calmly as possible. The veterinarian should be contacted if the
foal does not nurse within the first two hours.
Meconium is the fecal material that forms while the foal is still in the
uterus. It has a black, tarry appearance. The meconium can become impacted
in the large colon or rectum. The most common sign of a meconium impaction
is the foal straining to defecate, but signs of colic may be seen in the
more severe cases. Veterinary care should be sought any time a foal is seen
straining to defecate.
Many breeders routinely administer an enema to a newborn foal to prevent
meconium impaction. Over-the-counter pediatric enemas work well in Miniature
horse foals. The foal should be restrained and the enema inserted gently to
minimize the chance of injury to the rectum. Passage of softer, brown feces
signals that all the meconium has passed and the foal is passing fecal
material produced since birth (milk feces).
The foal should be observed for urination during the first two to three
days. In rare instances, a foal's bladder can rupture during the birthing
process. This is more common in male foals; the narrow diameter of their
urethra allows a greater pressure buildup in the bladder. The best time to
watch for urination is after the foal gets up from a nap. It will usually
nurse, then urinate shortly after nursing. Signs of a ruptured bladder are
straining to urinate, colic, bloated abdomen, weakness, and loss of
appetite.
Blood should be drawn from the foal when it is between sixteen and
twenty-four hours old. The blood level of IgG, the type of antibody supplied
by the mares colostrum, is measured to determine if the foal received
adequate colostrum to be protected from infection. The veterinarian can also
perform a complete physical of the foal and mare as well as examine the
placenta at the time the blood is drawn.
Indications of Disease
A healthy foal is bright, alert, and full of energy. It will nurse at least
once every hour. It is curious of its surroundings and between nursing and
playing, will sleep soundly (figs. 7.18 A-C).
The following are signs of illness or disease in a foal and are indicators
that veterinary attention should be obtained.
The foal does not stand within one hour of birth or nurse within two hours
of birth.
The foal does not search for the udder or bond with the mare.
Straining to urinate or defecate.
Depression or loss of appetite (the foal is not seen nursing or the mares
udder is constantly full).
Frequent rolling from side to side or laying on its back when sleeping.
Signs of colic.
Lameness.
Swelling of, or discharge from the umbilicus.
Urinating out of the umbilicus.
Swelling in the inguinal (groin) area.
Fever (see Normal Physical Parameters, Appendix A).
Failure to gain weight.
Coughing.
Milk coming from its nose (see Cleft Palate, p. 44).
Difficulty breathing or abnormal respiratory noise (see Chapter Two).
Squinting or holding its eyes closed.
In general, Miniature horse foals have few medical problems. However, minor
problems can easily become life threatening if early treatment is not
initiated.
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