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Field triage of the neonatal foal.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to provide a quick reference for field triage of the sick neonatal foal. Therefore, information is focused toward diagnostics and treatments that can be performed in the field. When evaluating a weak, recumbent, or lethargic foal on a farm, it is often difficult to make a definitive diagnosis. Therefore, the approach should be to treat what is treatable and prevent what is preventable. In many cases, the goal will be to stabilize a foal before referral to a tertiary care facility where more intensive and continuous treatment can be performed.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2014-06-10 PubMed ID: 25016492PubMed Central: PMC7135403DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2014.05.001Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Pathology
- Diagnosis
- Disease
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Transmission
- Disease Treatment
- Emergency Care
- Equine Health
- Foals
- Infection
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article provides a guide for initial, field-based diagnosis and treatment of neonatal foals presenting symptoms of illness, weakness, and lethargy. It recommends focusing on treatable and preventable conditions, with the ultimate goal of preparing the foal for transfer to a specialized facility for more comprehensive care.
Overview
- This research article is primarily an informational guide for veterinary practitioners or farmers who may come into contact with a sick, weak, or lethargic newborn foal in a field setting. The main aim is to equip them with enough knowledge to carry out field triage, which is the initial point of contact in providing help and medical attention to the foal.
Triage and Treatment
- The article focuses on diagnostics and treatments that can be performed in the field. This includes observable symptoms and immediate medical care that can be provided without specialized equipment that might not be readily accessible in a farmland environment.
Preventing and Treating the Treatable
- Recognizing the difficulties in making a definitive diagnosis in the field, the approach recommended by this research is to “treat what is treatable and prevent what is preventable.” This pragmatic approach suggests managing symptoms and conditions that field-based healthcare providers are equipped to handle, while also taking preventive measures to avoid worsening the foal’s condition or triggering preventable diseases or adversities.
Stabilization and Referral
- The ultimate goal in this field triage process is to stabilize the neonatal foal for referral to a tertiary care facility. These facilities are better equipped for continuous and intensive treatment, and offer the best chance for a positive outcome in the case of seriously ill foals. The article emphasizes the importance of this step, and advocates for practitioners to aim for it in every case where it’s required.
Cite This Article
APA
Carr EA.
(2014).
Field triage of the neonatal foal.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 30(2), 283-vii.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2014.05.001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 736 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. Electronic address: carreliz@cvm.msu.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Triage
References
This article includes 10 references
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- Burrin DG, Stoll B, Jiang R, Chang X, Hartmann B, Holst JJ, Greeley GH Jr, Reeds PJ. Minimal enteral nutrient requirements for intestinal growth in neonatal piglets: how much is enough?. Am J Clin Nutr 2000 Jun;71(6):1603-10.
- Jose-Cunilleras E, Viu J, Corradini I, Armengou L, Cesarini C, Monreal L. Energy expenditure of critically ill neonatal foals.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2012 Feb;(41):48-51.
- Paradis MR. Caloric needs of the sick foal determined by the use of indirect calorimetry.. Proc 3rd Dorothy Havemeyer Foundation Neonatal Septicemia Workshop 2001:13–6.
- Wong DM, Alcott CJ, Wang C, Hay-Kraus BL, Buchanan BR, Brockus CW. Physiologic effects of nasopharyngeal administration of supplemental oxygen at various flow rates in healthy neonatal foals.. Am J Vet Res 2010 Sep;71(9):1081-8.
- Kablack KA, Embertson RM, Bernard WV, Bramlage LR, Hance S, Reimer JM, Barton MH. Uroperitoneum in the hospitalised equine neonate: retrospective study of 31 cases, 1988-1997.. Equine Vet J 2000 Nov;32(6):505-8.
- Schneider J.E., Leipold H.W., White S.L.. Repair of congenital atresia of the colon in a foal.. J Eq Sci 1981;1:121.
- Santschi EM, Purdy AK, Valberg SJ, Vrotsos PD, Kaese H, Mickelson JR. Endothelin receptor B polymorphism associated with lethal white foal syndrome in horses.. Mamm Genome 1998 Apr;9(4):306-9.
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Rivera Maza S, Bishop RC, Austin SM, Foreman JH, Wilkins PA. Characteristics of meconium impaction/retention in newborn foals: From 2006 to 2024. Equine Vet Educ 2025 Jan 29;.
- Castelain DL, Dufourni A, Pas ML, Bokma J, de Bruijn E, Paulussen E, Lefère L, van Loon G, Pardon B. Retrospective cohort study on diseases and risk factors associated with death in hospitalized neonatal foals. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17269.
- Laleye BOFV, Seye M, Chiavaccini L. Early recognition of pain: improving colic outcomes in horses in Senegal. Front Pain Res (Lausanne) 2024;5:1429849.
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