Expert Narre Warren Equine Vet Team Provide Emergency Care for Foals

The local Narre Warren vet team provides both routine and emergency foal care at their horse hospital, South Eastern Equine Hospital. The service includes intensive care of critically ill foals, and assessment and treatment of orthopaedic conditions. Dr Robyn Charman, the on-site equine surgeon works alongside Dr Cate Savage, who heads up the equine medical team to provide emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Normal foals should stand within 1 hour after birth, be drinking within 2 hours and the mare should pass the placenta within 3 hours after foaling. The foal should pass meconium (first faeces) within 4 to 6 hours. If this doesnt occur, the foal may become constipated and require treatment for the condition retained meconium. Foals should also be observed to ensure that they are urinating within 9 to 10 hours of birth. Foals can be prone to bladder rupture during the birth process and a failure to urinate can alert us to this possible problem, advises the Narre Warren vet. In general, signs that a foal may need veterinary care include not suckling, inability to stand, swollen joints, diarrhoea or a fever. Some foals do not receive an adequate transfer of colostrum (first milk) from the mare and these are detected by measuring the immunoglobulin levels (IgG) in the blood of the foal 8 to 24 hours after birth. A common problem with foals is sepsis. Sepsis is a medical emergency. It is defined as bacteria or bacterial toxins in the bloodstream. Signs include diarrhoea, fever and swollen joints or an enlarged umbilicus. Adequate passive transfer of antibodies from colostrum (mares first milk) can help prevent sepsis. If foals are low in immunoglobulin, they will need to be artificially supplemented with an intravenous plasma transfusion to help fight the infection, Dr Savage warns horse stud owners. South Eastern Equine Hospitals Narre Warren vet team have a specialised mare and foal area, where the foal can be separated (but still be next to the mare) for intensive care management.

Diagnostic and treatment capabilities include: Ultrasonography Stall side ultrasonography can be performed to assess the umbilicus, chest, abdomen and musculoskeletal structures Digital radiography High quality digital x-rays can be taken of the chest, abdomen and musculoskeletal structures to diagnose disease or malformation Oxygen administration - Oxygen supports foals with breathing problems Cardiology services Echocardiography and electrocardiography are available at the hospital Pathology - 24 hour IgG assessment and laboratory services Pulse oximetry This is a non-invasive test that allows the blood to be measured for its oxygen content to determine if the foals respiratory and cardiovascular systems are adequate Blood pressure monitoring Video camera monitoring The horse hospital at South Eastern Equine Hospital is well-equipped to deal with all foal emergencies that are presented to the clinic. Be sure to visit their blog to find out what other services are on offer and read more about cases that are seen by the Narre Warren vet team by visiting www.seeh.com.au/new-blogholder/colic-at-horse-hospital/ or by calling (03) 8790 4922.