Special Sub-Topic: Equine Neonatal Medicine Click Here To Play: Equine Neonatal Medicine

In most cases, soon after a foal is born it stands and suckles what fluid from a mare's udder?

Colostrum. Colostrum provides much needed antibodies to the foal before the mare produces regular milk.

During the first hours of a foals life the gut is 'open' to the absorption of antibodies. How long does the gut remain this way?

16 hours. During the first 16 hours of life the foal can absorb antibodies from the colostrum. However bacteria can be absorbed as well.

On average, the gestation length of horses is...

341 days. The actual average is 320 to 365 with a mean of 341 days.

The onset of stage 3 labor is characterized by...

Expulsion of the placenta. Stage three is the final stage of labor.

Meconium is the technical term for...

Contents of bowel at birth. Meconium is made up of digested amniotic fluid, glandular secretions, mucus, bile and epithelial cells. It is greenish black to light brown and has little odor. Sometimes referred to as 'Baby Poo!'

The most common cause of death in foals admitted for intensive care is...

Septicemia. Clinical signs of septicemia cannot be differentiated from those of neonatal maladjustment syndrome.

If a foal contracts botulism, the most common cause of death will be...

Respiratory failure. Botulism is also known as Shaker foal syndrome and is caused by Clostridium botulinum usually type B. Can be prevented by giving mare botulism type B toxoid three times before parturition with last dose being 2-3 weeks before delivery.

In foals, once tetanus has been contracted it can be treated.

T & t & True & true. Although the prognosis is poor, it is possible to treat tetanus with Penicillin IV QID and Tetanus antitoxin.

Ruptured bladders are most commonly seen is what sex of foal?

Male & colt & M. This is most commonly confused with septic foal or a neurologic case when the foal is presented in a semi coma.

Lavender foal syndrome is seen in what breed of horse?

Arabian. Foals appear bright and alert but lack the ability to stand and walk. The name comes from the lavender or diluted color of the foal at birth.

Differential Diagnosis of White Muscle Disease are all of the following except...

Lavender Foal. White muscle disease is associated with inadequate selenium and possibly Vitamin E in the diet. The foal presents with weakness, dysphagia, and stiff, tense or painful muscles. Prognosis is poor to guarded.

Which form of chemical restraint should not be used in a compromised foal?

Xylazine. Diazepam and Valium are one in the same, and Phenobarbital provides longer term sedation.

What is the easiest and most effective means of infection prevention in a neonatal unit?

Hand Washing. Although all answers are means of prevention, Hand washing is the easiest.

All of the following are signs of Tetanus except...

Flaccid muscles. Tetanus is most common secondary to umbilical infections and can develop within 7 days of birth. Foals become so stiff they cannot move.

The majority of twin foals conceived are born healthy.

F & false. Twinning is an undesirable condition in the mare. If twins are not reduced to singletons at an early stage of gestation, the usual outcome is late-term {abortion;} few twins are carried to term and survive.' Manual of Equine Reproduction p. 74