Assessment and management of the neonatal foal

Abstract

Background: Neonatal care can seem daunting to the equine veterinary practitioner, particularly in practices without a high stud medicine caseload, meaning visits to newborn foals are infrequent. Deciding when to refer and when field treatment is likely to be adequate can be difficult. Clinical signs of disease can be subtle and deterioration rapid. Accurate assessment and early recognition of problems are crucial in successful treatment, as is education of owners about when to seek veterinary intervention.Aim of the article: This article provides practical guidelines on how to accurately assess the newborn foal in the field within the first 24 hours of life, including common early warning signs, and when referral should be advised.