Management and treatment of selected conditions in newborn foals
Liu, I.K.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 176(11): 1247-1249
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 7191844 Document Number: 154426
Treatment of isohaemolytic anaemia, polyarthritis (joint ill) and the neonatal maladjustment syndrome is discussed. Isohaemolytic anaemia, which is caused primarily by production of antibodies that are lethal to red blood cells, may result in severe anaemia which requires blood transfusion. When total erythrocyte count is below 3 million/mm3, washed erythrocytes from 2-4 litres of dam's blood suspended in saline solution should be transfused slowly. Prevention depends on detecting isoantibodies in the mare's serum 2-3 weeks before birth, and preventing the foal from sucking the dam for the first 24 hours. Treatment of polyarthritis, which is usually the result of (and is associated with) septicaemia, involves isolating the bacterial agents and injecting appropriate antibiotics. A table listing suitable antibiotics with recommended route of administration and dosage is given. Neonatal maladjustment syndrome occurs in foals that seem normal at birth, but after 24 hours become blind, wander aimlessly, lose the ability to suck and in some cases develop convulsions and coma. Cause and preventative measures are unknown, but supportive treatment for hypothermia, convulsions and dehydration, and frequent feeding appears to be beneficial. In cases with deficient immunoglobulin transfer, intravenous plasma transfusion is recommended.