Identification and Management of the High Risk Foal in Practice

Introduction
A healthy foal begins with consideration of the intrauterine environment and perinatal events. Timely assessment of neonatal parameters and detection of abnormalities can yield valuable information. Informed decisions regarding on-farm treatment and prognosis can then be made.

Identification of the high risk neonate
Conditions associated with the high risk neonate may be conveniently placed into 3 categories:

• Maternal conditions: systemic problems and those relating to reproductive health. Fever, gastrointestinal compromise, endotoxaemia and surgical manipulation are deleterious to the fetus. History of previous neonatal compromise, placental pathology and prepartum loss of colostrum all alert the clinician to potential neonatal difficulties.

• Parturient events: abnormal gestation length, abnormalities of the birth canal, prolonged labour, dystocia, premature placental separation and premature rupture of the umbilical cord. Meconium in the amniotic fluid or amnion may be the only indication of aspiration.

• Neonatal conditions: fetal distress may be manifest as growth retardation, meconium staining or indicated indirectly by placental disease. Trauma during delivery may not be apparent until a few days of age. Incomplete ossification of the cuboidal bones of the carpus and tarsus impedes future athleticism. Abnormal behaviour and the inability to stand and suckle lead to a lack of colostral intake preventing adequate passive immunity.

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