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Foals
Nursing
Foals should be nursing within 2-4 hours after birth;
they should show a sucking reflex right after birth. Concerns to watch for are
the sucking reflex and nursing in the given time period. REMEMBER they have
12-18 hours to nurse on the colostrum to have the immunity absorbed through the
gut and into the blood system. after that time period the gut shuts down and no
immunity (IgG) is absorbed and we have failure of passive transfer (FPT). It is
recommended that your foal be tested for its IgG level at 12-18 hours, if low we
can administer a product, Seramine, orally and retest in another 12-24 hours.
Seramine is often used right after the birth to the foal orally to boost its IgG
level.
If the IgG level is low (called FPT) and we are over 24 hours
of age, we then administer another Seramine product IV to circumvent the
intestine. Foals not having an acceptable level of IgG (>800mg/) are prone to
navel and joint illnesses, septicemia, pneumonia, sudden death and a number of
other diseases. These IgG immunities last approximately 3 months, this is why we
start vaccinations on the foal at the 3 month point, and then their immune
systems have to start dealing with the real world.
Naval Care
I recommend the use of diluted chlorhexadine spray on the naval 3-4
times a day for 4-5 days. Iodine causes the navel to fall off too soon causing a
raw area where bacteria can enter. If you are there for the delivery, I like to
tie off the umbilical cord 2-3 inches from the belly and cut the umbilical cord,
this should be done 15-20 minutes after the birth. The reason you should allow
the 15-20 minutes is because blood is still being transferred from the placenta
to the foal via the umbilical cord, this will give the foal a chance to receive
more blood.
Diarrhea
This is something to not take lightly!!!! Any
diarrhea should be a concern. Depending on the age I may recommend a
yogurt/Pepto-Bismol combination orally. I may also want to start antibiotic and
oral fluids to help the foal. REMEMBER the foal may go through a period of
diarrhea, usually at 8-10 days of age, this is called foal heat diarrhea. this
should last 1-2 days and the foal should continue to be bright, alert and
nursing. About 75 percent of foals go through this type of diarrhea. this
diarrhea is due to some intestinal changes the foal is going through, and not
because the mare may be in heat. If the diarrhea lasts longer than 1-2 days or
the foal becomes dull, lethargic and stops nursing, the appropriate
preventative/treatment measures should be taken.
Another diarrhea I'm seeing more and more of is Roto Virus
Diarrhea. this occurs anytime up to 6 months of age and has an odor that is
classic to diarrhea. there is a vaccine available that can be given to the mares
in the 8th, 9th and 10th month of pregnancy.
Information provided by: Dr. Doug Anderson DVM
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