NEWBORN foals in their first hours to days of life are vulnerable to illness and injury. This susceptibility is increased in incidences where the mare has been unwell during her pregnancy, for example with conditions such placentitis (infection in the placenta). Other risk factors that play a part in foals’ general health are:
● if the foal is born prematurely
● when there is a prolonged or difficult birth
● if the foal is delivered by caesarean section
This article will give a brief overview of some common conditions that can affect a neonatal foal.
FAILURE OF PASSIVE TRANSFER
FOALS are born without a fully developed immune system. The mare's colostrum (first milk) is full of important antibodies to provide the foal with immunity against infectious pathogens. If a foal does not ingest enough good quality colostrum in the first 12 hours after birth, it will not be protected from bacteria and viruses and is at an increased risk of developing serious medical conditions.
Failure of passive transfer
