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Topic:Foals
"Foals" encompasses a stage in the lifecycle of equines with distinct physiological and developmental characteristics. Foals are young horses, typically under one year of age, undergoing rapid growth and development. They require specific nutritional, health, and management practices to support their transition to adulthood. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the growth, development, health challenges, and management practices associated with foals and horses, providing insights into their care and welfare across different life stages.
Recognition of a B-cell epitope of the VapA protein of Rhodococcus equi in newborn and experimentally infected foals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the previously identified B-cell epitope TSLNLQKDEPNGRASDTAGQ of the VapA protein of Rhodococcus equi and its association with R. equi pneumonia. A modified peptide designated PN11-14 corresponding to the epitope was recognized by all sera from experimentally infected foals with virulent R. equi ATCC103+ containing the virulence plasmid but not by its plasmid-cured derivative ATCC103- strain. Marked levels of VapA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G were detected in all sera from the ATCC103+ infected foals at 2 weeks after the infection. One c...
Multiple rib fracture in a neonatal foal using a nylon strand suture repair technique. To report rib fracture repair using the Securos Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair System (SCCLRS; Securos Veterinary Orthopedics, Charlton, MA) in a neonatal foal. Methods: Case report. Methods: A 1-day-old Standardbred foal with fracture of left ribs 2-9. Methods: Four days after admission the foal was anesthetized and rib fractures were repaired using open reduction and the SCCLRS. Results: Rib fractures were successfully stabilized and the foal was discharged 7 days postoperatively without further complications. Conclusions: The SCCLRS provided a straightforward, effective method of rib frac...
Association of pneumonia in foals caused by Rhodococcus equi with farm soil geochemistry. To quantify and compare geochemical factors in surface soils from horse-breeding farms with horses with pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi (affected farms) and horse-breeding farms with no history of pneumonia caused by R equi (unaffected farms). Methods: Soil from 24 R equi-affected farms and 21 unaffected farms. Methods: Equine veterinary practitioners throughout Texas submitted surface soil samples from areas most frequented by foals, on R equi-affected and unaffected horse-breeding farms in their practice. Soil samples were assayed for the following factors: pH, salinity, nitrate, phosph...
Septic pleuritis and abdominal abscess formation caused by Rhodococcus equi in a foal. A 3-month-old female Arabian horse was evaluated because of fever, respiratory distress, lethargy, and decreased appetite of 5 days' duration. Pleural effusion was diagnosed on the basis of ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations. Cytologic examination of pleural fluid collected via thoracocentesis revealed septic inflammation; bacteriologic culture of a sample of that fluid yielded Rhodococcus equi. A large intra-abdominal mass adjacent to the body wall was identified ultrasonographically. A specimen of the mass was collected via aspiration; the specimen was identified cytologically as...
Changes in structure of lymphatic organs in foals died due to Rhodococcus equi infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of lymphatic organs in foals which died due to Rhodococcus equi infection. The material for this study consisted of 9 foals, of both genders, various breeds, 6-14 weeks old. The routine histopathological examination and immunocytochemical reaction for cytokeratine-3 receptors revealed the disturbances in the thymus epithelial cells development. This was manifested by a complete lack of cells expressing cytokeratine-3 receptors, as well as absence of normal thymocytes differentiation. The supposed thymus epithelial cells were very few, expr...
Hematuria associated with cystic hematomas in three neonatal foals. Cystic hematomas were diagnosed in 3 neonatal foals. In all 3 foals, cystic hematomas resulted from umbilical trauma or thrombocytopenia. Findings in these foals suggest that cystic hematoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of hematuria in neonatal foals. Management of cystic hematomas includes both medical and surgical options.
Inheritance of recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis in thoroughbreds. To develop a diagnostic test for recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) in Thoroughbreds that relied on in vitro contracture of muscle biopsy specimens and determine whether the inheritance pattern of RER diagnosed on the basis of this contracture test was consistent with an autosomal dominant trait. Methods: Clinical trial. Methods: 8 adult horses with RER and 16 control adult horses for development of the contracture test; 23 foals for inheritance of RER. Methods: External intercostal muscle biopsy specimens from the 24 adult horses were tested for contracture in response to halothane and...
Epidural migration of new methylene blue in 0.9% sodium chloride solution or 2% mepivacaine solution following injection into the first intercoccygeal space in foal cadavers and anesthetized foals undergoing laparoscopy. To determine the relationship between epidural cranial migration and injectate volume of an isotonic solution containing dye in laterally recumbent foal cadavers and evaluate the cranial migration and dermatome analgesia of an epidural dye solution during conditions of laparoscopy in foals. Methods: 19 foal cadavers and 8 pony foals. Methods: Foal cadavers received an epidural injection of dye solution (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, or 0.2 mL/kg) containing 1.2 mg of new methylene blue (NMB)/mL of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Length of the dye column and number of intervertebral spaces cranial and caudal t...
Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome in 15 foals. Few reports exist in the veterinary medical literature describing clinical and pathological findings resembling conditions described as (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in man. Objective: To document history, clinical, laboratory and diagnostic findings, treatment and outcome of foals age 1-12 months diagnosed with ALI/ARDS at a referral hospital. Methods: Medical records, including radiographic, cytological, microbiological, serological and post mortem findings, were reviewed in a retrospective manner to identify foals with acute onset of respiratory distress, a partial pr...
Funisitis associated with leptospiral abortion in an equine placenta. Funisitis, inflammation of the umbilical cord, is well recognized in human placentas. This report describes a case of funisitis associated with leptospiral infection in the placenta of a Thoroughbred foal born prematurely. The umbilical cord had diffuse superficial yellow discoloration along its entire length. Microscopic evaluation showed an exudate of neutrophils admixed with fibrin on the surface. Warthin-Starry staining showed spirochetes in the Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord. A locally extensive, severe placentitis not involving the star and allantoic cystic hyperplasia were the ot...
Maturation of pancreatic beta-cell function in the fetal horse during late gestation. At birth, the endocrine pancreas becomes more directly involved in the control of glycaemia than in utero. However, compared with other tissues, relatively little is known about the maturational changes that occur in the fetal endocrine pancreas in preparation for extrauterine life. This study examined the pancreatic beta-cell response to exogenous administration of glucose and arginine in fetal horses with respect to their gestational age and concentration of cortisol, the hormone responsible for prepartum maturation of other fetal tissues. Glucose administration had no effect on fetal insuli...
Can jumping capacity of adult show jumping horses be predicted on the basis of submaximal free jumps at foal age? A longitudinal study. The purpose of this study was to quantify performance characteristics of good jumping horses, and to determine whether these were already detectable at foal age. Kinematic data were collected of horses performing free jumps over a 0.60 m high fence at six months of age and of these same horses jumping with a rider over a 1.15 m high fence at five years of age. At five years of age the horses were divided into three groups on the basis of a puissance competition: a group of seven best jumpers that made no errors and in the end cleared a 1.50 m high fence, a group of nine worst jumpers that were...
Mechanical and functional properties of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon. The in vitro and in vivo mechanical properties of the superficial digital flexor tendon have been described. To date the focus has been on single load to failure testing, however refined in vivo methods may prove useful to evaluate the effects of treatment and exercise on tendons. During maximal exercise, the adult superficial digital flexor tendon operates close to its functional limits with a narrow biomechanical safety margin. This combined with exercise and age associated microdamage, and a limited adaptive ability may increase the risk of fatigue failure. Studies evaluating treatment regi...
Effect of plasma transfusion on neutrophil function in healthy and septic foals. To evaluate the effect of plasma transfusion on phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of peripheral blood neutrophils from healthy and septic equine neonates with sub-optimal passive transfer of maternal immunity. Methods: Nine healthy and seven septic foals with suboptimal passive transfer of maternal immunity (serum IgG or = 8 g/L. Methods: Foals with serum IgG concentrations or = 11. All foals received between 1 and 3 L of plasma to boost circulating IgG concentrations to > or = 8 g/L. Serum IgG concentrations were determined before and following transfusion by glutaraldehyde coagu...
Temporal folate status during lactation in mares and growth in foals. To identify changes in folate status of mares and foals during lactation and growth, respectively. Methods: 20 Thoroughbred mares and foals. Methods: Pregnant mares, and following foaling the same mares with their foals, were maintained on mixed grass-legume pasture and fed either a traditional dietary supplement rich in sugar and starch (SS) or a dietary supplement high in fat and fiber (FF). Blood samples were collected monthly from mares and foals up to 6 months after foaling. Total folate concentration in feed and forage was determined. Analyses of plasma folate, RBC folate, plasma homocys...
Accuracy of indirect measurement of blood pressure in neonatal foals. The objectives of this study were to assess, in anesthetized neonatal foals, the accuracy of 2 automated indirect oscillometric monitors for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP), to determine the optimal site of cuff placement for MAP monitoring, and to determine the relationship between arterial blood pressure and cardiac output. Ten neonatal foals were anesthetized and instrumented with a catheter in the metatarsal artery for direct MAP monitoring and measurement of cardiac output by lithium dilution. Concurrent MAP measurements were obtained with Cardell and Dinamap oscillometric mon...
Biochemical markers of cardiac injury in normal, surviving septic, or nonsurviving septic neonatal foals. The cardiac biomarkers cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and I (cTnI) and the cardiac isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CKMB) are used extensively in human medicine to diagnose and provide valuable prognostic information in patients with ischemic, traumatic, and septic myocardial injury. We designed a study to establish normal values for these markers in healthy, neonatal foals and to compare them with values obtained from septic neonates in a referral hospital population. The 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles for cTnI and CKMB in the healthy-foal population were 0.08, 0.14, 0.25, 0.49 ng/mL and 1.4,...
Virulence-associated protein-specific serum immunoglobulin G-isotype expression in young foals protected against Rhodococcus equi pneumonia by oral immunization with virulent R. equi. The purpose of this study was to determine whether foals immunized orally from 2 days of age with virulent Rhodococcus equi developed a protective pulmonary immune response and to characterise the antibody response of the immunized foals to the virulence-associated proteins (Vaps) of the bacterium. Two groups of foals were used. One (n=4) was given live R. equi ATCC 33701 orally at 2, 7, and 14 days of age. The second group comprised three non-immunized foals age-matched to the vaccinates. At 3 weeks of age, 1 week after the final immunization, both groups were challenged intrabronchially with...
Maturity of the neonatal foal. The immature foal frequently represents a significant management challenge to even the most experienced clinician. The clinical course typically involves complications to a range of body systems,including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. Before the commencement of treatment, it is important to provide the owner with an estimation of short-term and long-term survival, expected costs, and possible complications. Formulation of an accurate prognosis can be a difficult task but is aided by knowledge not only of normal maturation but of the factors that affect this pr...
Ventilatory support of the critically ill foal. Critically ill foals often have respiratory failure and benefit from respiratory support. Conventional mechanical ventilation using modem mechanical ventilators is easily adapted to foals. Establish-ing ventilator settings is a dynamic process aided by constant monitoring of blood gas values, end-tidal carbon dioxide, airway pressures, respiratory volumes, airway resistance, and respiratory compliance. Early weaning is as important as timely initiation of ventilation.
Echocardiographic diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries in a neonatal foal. The clinical and echocardiographic findings in a 19-h-old female foal with a ventricular septal defect, patent foramen ovale, patent ductus arteriosus, and complete transpositon of the great vessels are described. Clinical signs were suggestive of complex congenital heart disease and echocardiography of the foal allowed definitive diagnosis prior to postmortem.
Neurologic disorders of neonatal foals. Neurologic examination of the neonatal foal is quite different from the process used to examine older foals and adult horses. Abnormal neurologic signs are best appreciated in the context of a detailed knowledge of general neonatal medicine and awareness of nor-mal foal behavior and milestones of development. A systematic approach to neurologic examination is provided. The results of such examination are used to localize a lesion or lesions in the nervous system. Descriptions and treatment strategies are given for most common and important neonatal neurologic diseases.
Neonatal foal diarrhea. Diarrhea is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal foal. Numerous noninfectious and infectious agents are responsible for enterocolitis and enteritis. This article provides an overview of the differential diagnoses for neonatal diarrhea and general and specific guidelines for therapy.
Equine neonatal sepsis. Neonatal infection remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the equine industry, despite advances in prevention and treatment. Many factors can influence a foal's risk for the development of sepsis in the peripartum period. This article discusses those factors, causative organisms, and therapeutic options. Factors that influence prognosis and potential preventative strategies also are addressed.
Immunologic disorders in neonatal foals. Foals live in an environment heavily populated by bacteria, many of which are capable of causing disease. Development of infection,however, is the exception rather than the rule. The ability of the foal to prevent infection by most pathogens is the result of a sophisticated set of defense mechanisms. These defense mechanisms can be divided into adaptive and innate immunity. Innate immunity encompasses defense mechanisms that pre-exist or are rapidly induced within hours of exposure to a pathogen. Conversely, adaptive or acquired immunity represents host defenses mediated by T and B lymphocytes...
Abdominal surgery in neonatal foals. Abdominal surgery in foals under 30 days old has become more common with improved neonatal care. Early recognition of a foal at risk and better nursing care have increased the survival rates of foals that require neonatal care. The success of improved neonatal care also has increased the need for accurate diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal, umbilical, and bladder disorders in these foals. This chapter focuses on the early and accurate diagnosis of specific disorders that require abdominal exploratory surgery and the specific treatment considerations and prognosis for these disorders.
Equine neonatal thoracic and abdominal ultrasonography. Pathologic disorders of the equine neonate often develop shortly after foaling as a result of prematurity, dystocia, trauma, or septicemia. Recognition of these disorders requires routine patient assessment along with diagnostic aids, including abdominal and thoracic ultrasonography. Fortunately, modern technology affords today's equine practitioners the opportunity to use ultrasonography to advance their practice, and it is the authors' hope that this article might help in those efforts.
Orthopedic disorders in neonatal foals. The first month of life is a vulnerable time for foals. They must adjust to their environment while they are still compromised immunologically, and their musculoskeletal system is rapidly growing and adjusting to stresses from an increasing amount of exercise. Therefore, if a foal is born with or acquires an abnormality or disease related to the musculoskeletal system, rapid adjustments must be made to allow the foal to grow and respond so that future athletic performance will not be compromised. Problems must be identified early, which requires thorough examinations. This article summarizes t...
Nutritional support for neonatal foals. In recent years, equine neonatal medicine has made significant advances. The importance of nutritional support for the sick neonatal foal has been recognized, and methods of providing that sup-port have been developed. Today, the clinician has many options when designing a nutritional plan for the neonatal foal. When the foal's gut permits, enteral diets are an inexpensive source of nutrients. Under conditions where the gut requires rest, methods for delivering nutrients by the parenteral route have also been developed. In this article, the nutrition of the normal and sick foal is described. G...
