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The School of Veterinary Medicine has access to a wide array of specialized equipment to help them diagnosis problems with at risk neonatal foals. Many of these foals suffer from neonatal maladjustment syndrome, in which the foal does not recognize the dam and refuses to nurse. The cause of the syndrome is unknown, but is thought to be due to lack of oxygen in utero or during foaling. Other common conditions are blood infections (septicemia) and neonatal isoerythrolysis, where the mare’s colostrum contains antibodies against her own foal’s blood cells.
Weak or sickly foals are placed in the hospital’s At-Risk Foal/Mare Unit where they receive 24-hour supportive care, including oxygen, intravenous fluids, special feeding, and physical therapy as necessary. The mare’s stall is adjacent to the foal care unit so the mare can maintain contact with her foal, even allowing a foal to nurse if it’s able.
Back to the Large Animal Surgery Service
