Perinatal asphyxia syndrome in a quarter horse foal.

This research article discusses a case of perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS) in a two-day-old Quarter Horse filly who was presented with generalized seizures. The syndrome was identified after the foal displayed a range of irregular behaviors post-birth, and certain hormonal imbalances were noted during the blood tests.

Case History

• The case involves a 2-day-old Quarter Horse filly that was presented with symptoms of generalized seizures after 12 hours of birth. Though the mare needed to pull the foal during delivery, the foal was initially healthy and able to stand and feed within 2 hours of birth.
• On examination by a veterinarian, the foal showed signs of contracted forelimbs, treated with oxytetracycline and bandages. After about 17 hours, the foal lost its suckle reflex, indicating an abnormality.

Clinical Examination

• On presentation, the foal was unconscious and displayed signs of tonic-clonic convulsions. Its body was thrashing and paddling its limbs violently while blinking rapidly and displaying rapid eye movements.
• It was treated with diazepam, which controlled the seizures for about an hour. Post this, the foal had another seizure and was hence administered another dose of diazepam.

Case Management

• The foal’s blood was submitted for different tests including a complete blood cell count (CBC), serum chemistry panel, arterial blood gas (ABG), and blood culture. The vet also performed a urinalysis and submitted cerebrospinal fluid for cytology.
• The blood tests revealed neutropenia with a degenerative left shift, along with chemical imbalances such as hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypochloremia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels.

Discussion

• The article finally discusses Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), previously known as neonatal maladjustment syndrome or dummy foal syndrome, which is now often grouped under PAS, or peripartum asphyxia syndrome.
• HIE is a common manifestation of PAS, affecting the kidneys and Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) as well. Foal with HIE show clinical signs such as a loss of suckle reflex, depression, wandering, abnormal vocalization known as “barking”, and grand mal seizures.
• Commonly, foals with HIE appear normal immediately after parturition but start showing these symptoms after a few hours, as seen in the filly observed in this case study.