What to do and what not to do with a sick foal in practice

The clinical presentation of a weak or lethargic newborn foal is not that uncommon, and can represent the early stages of severe illness. Sometimes these conditions can progress rapidly in the neonate, hence early recognition is important. The task then is to be aware of potential problems, and identify issues early so that management decisions can be made. Numerous conditions can put foals at risk including maternal disease, dystocia, premature placental separation and placentitis, among others. Early warning signs in the mare include vaginal discharge, excessive or inadequate weight gain and premature lactation. The presence of inflammatory disease during pregnancy and a history of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory usage during pregnancy are also associated with poorer foal outcomes ...