Thermoregulation in sick foals aged less than one week.

This study investigates the thermoregulation abilities of sick foals aged less than a week. The research specifically looked at the metabolic rate, body temperature, and respiratory quotient in newborn horses with different health conditions, and found that sick foals had significantly lower metabolic rates and struggled to maintain warm body temperatures despite extra insulation provided.

Objective of the Study

• The study aimed to evaluate the thermoregulatory capabilities in 16 sick foals in the first 182 hours of their life. The researchers focused on measuring metabolic rates, body temperatures, and respiratory quotients. They categorized the foals into three health groups to better understand how each condition affected thermoregulation.

Methodology

• The study included 16 foals aged 0 to 182 hours, categorized into three groups: premature, dysmature (delayed physical maturity despite normal gestation), and those suffering from neonatal maladjustment syndrome (foals displaying abnormal behaviors).
• Metabolic rates, rectal temperature (Tr), and respiratory quotients (RQ) were measured among these foals.
• Ambient temperature (Ta) which ranged from 9.5 to 26.3 degrees Celsius, was also considered in the study.

Findings

• The mean metabolic rate for premature foals was significantly lower than the other two groups, standing at 71 watts per unit area of body surface (W m(-2)).
• The overall mean metabolic rate for all sick foals was at 82 W m(-2), this is about 25% lower than healthy foals of the same age.
• Despite providing extra warmth and insulation, several foals were found to be shivering due to low body temperatures (Tr), which were below 38 degrees Celsius for up to 4 hours after birth. The body temperature then increased a bit, averaging at 38.1 degrees Celsius, but still fluctuated widely.
• The respiratory quotient (RQ), with a mean value of 0.83, was not linked to the ambient temperature.
• The study concluded that the lower critical temperature for the sick foals was estimated at 24 degrees Celsius, on average.

Implications and Recommendations

• The study revealed vital information about thermoregulation in newborn horses, specifically those with different health conditions.
• The findings suggest that sick foals struggle with maintaining their body heat, as evidenced by the low metabolic rate and instances of shivering, regardless of extra insulation.
• Considering these findings, the authors recommend developments of effective methods to prevent excessive heat loss among sick foals.