Hypocalcemia in a four-week-old foal

Intake of Rumex, a plant genus of the Polygonaceae family, probably led through the assimilation of oxalic acid, to hypocalcaemia in a four-week old foal. This foal was presented with muscle rigidity and a stiff gait. Both the total and ionized calcium concentrations were low, 1.38 mmol/l and 0.54 mmol/l respectively. The foal was treated with a total of 150 ml of a 20% calcium solution IV. The foals neuromuscular signs resolved within a few hours after receiving calcium solution.     

Gluteal pyomyositis associated with septic proximal femoral physitis in a 12-day-old Standardbred filly foal

A 12-day-old Standardbred filly foal was presented with an acute onset hindlimb lameness of 24 hours duration. Initial ultrasonographic evaluation of the right gluteal region revealed oedematous change to the muscle architecture. Conservative therapy consisting of antimicrobials and stall rest was initiated. Forty-eight hours after admission a localised gluteal pyomyositis had developed. This was drained twice by percutaneous aspiration. Four days after admission the foal was euthanased. Necropsy examination revealed a septic proximal femoral physis with no grossly apparent joint involvement.     

Atypical symptoms in a case of sleepy foal disease (Actinobacillus equuli infection)

Extract

It was reported that a maiden thoroughbred marc was unwilling to feed her foal in spite of persistent efforts by the foal during the first eight hours after birth.     

Successful outcome after surgical correction of large colon atresia in a colt foal

This report describes successful surgical correction and long-term survival of a case of large colon atresia in a 24-h-old Warmblood colt, referred with signs of unrelenting abdominal pain and a suspicion of meconium impaction. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination was indicative of large colon meconium impaction with secondary ileus. Due to deterioration of the foal, surgery was recommended. An atretic segment was found between the left ventral and dorsal large (ascending) colon. A band of fibrous tissue with no identifiable lumen connected the segments. Surgical correction was done by performing a stapled side-to-side anastomosis. Twelve days after surgery, the foal was discharged. Twenty-two months after discharge, the owner reported the foal developing as expected compared with its peers, but had a mild, self-limiting episode of colic at 20 months of age.     

Ventral approach for stabilization of atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to odontoid fracture in a foal

Atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to odontoid fracture in a 30-day-old foal was corrected by alignment of the atlantoaxial joint and stabilization with 2 ventrally placed dynamic compression plates. At 90 days after surgery, healing of the fracture, with adequate alignment of the atlantoaxial joint, was confirmed radiographically. The foal was only slightly tetraparetic at that time. At 1 year after surgery, the gait was normal. It was concluded that the technique has advantages over the use of Steinmann's pins or external coaptation for stabilization. The ventral approach allows decompression, anatomic alignment, and immediate stabilization of the subluxation. Potential complications of the ventral approach include laryngeal paralysis.     

Megavesica in a neonatal foal

A newborn male foal was diagnosed with a greatly enlarged urinary bladder (megavesica), a urinary bladder diverticulum, and a herniated and abnormal umbilical remnant. Approximately 50% of the cranial bladder including the abnormal structures was surgically resected; the foal recovered and was still asymptomatic 15 months after surgery. The aetiology of megavesica in foals is unknown but successful outcome may be achieved with surgical intervention and adequate medical support.     

Endotoxin release after antimicrobial treatment in sick foals is mediated by antimicrobial class

The objective of this study was to determine whether treatment with antimicrobials leads to increased serum endotoxin concentrations in sick foals and to further determine whether an effect of class of antimicrobial on endotoxin release occurs in sick foals in vivo. This was a prospective, observational study at a university equine hospital. Twenty-four foals aged 12 hours to 12 days admitted to the hospital in 2004 and 2005 were used. Blood was collected from all foals at time 0 (admission) and at 30 minutes, 8 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after treatment with an antimicrobial. The choice of antimicrobial was determined by the clinician caring for the foal, and any other treatment, as deemed necessary for appropriate care of the foal, was employed. For each serum sample, the endotoxin concentration was determined using the limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Those foals that received a beta-lactam alone, more specifically the cephalosporin ceftiofur, showed a significant increase in endotoxin concentration 12 hours after antibiotic administration (P = .005). An increase in serum endotoxin concentration was not seen in the first 24 hours after antimicrobial administration when foals were treated with a combination of beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antimicrobials. In conclusion, a significant increase in endotoxin concentration as a consequence of ceftiofur administration occurs in sick foals. Administration of a combination of a beta-lactam antimicrobial and an aminoglycoside did not result in a significant increase in endotoxin release. Consideration of these findings should be made when choosing antimicrobial therapy for the sick foal.     

Internal fixation of comminuted transverse scapular fracture in a foal

A comminuted scapular fracture in a foal was treated surgically by use of 2 dynamic compression plates. The plates were applied upside down, so that the convex surface of the plate faced the bone. At 5 months after surgery, the plates were removed, and the foal recovered without complications.     

Treatment of a Periarticular Tibial Fracture in a Foal with a Hybrid External Fixator

Objective— To report repair of a right proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fracture in a foal with a hybrid external fixator (HEF).
Study Design— Case report.
Animals— A 5-month-old male foal.
Methods— After open surgical reduction, an HEF built with wires, 2 half-rings, 3 half-threaded connecting rods, and Schanz pins was used to stabilize the fracture.
Results— Immediately after surgery, the foal had relatively good weight bearing. The HEF was removed at 60 days after radiographic confirmation of healing.
Conclusions— HEF can be used to stabilize a proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fracture in a 5-month-old foal.
Clinical Relevance— HEF should be considered as another option for repair of proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fractures in foals.     

Sequential changes of IgG and antitrypsin in different compartments during the colostral-intestinal transfusion of immunity to the newborn foal

IgG levels and tryptic inhibition were investigated in sequentially collected mare's colostrum and milk, foal serum and urine. The colostral trypsin-inhibitor was "transfused" to the newborn foal by the colostral intestinal route in parallel with IgG. However, the trypsin-inhibitor as a small molecular weight inhibitor became excreted into urine peaking at about 20 hours. The physiological proteinuria in foals during the first 2 days is mostly due to immunoglobulin fragments and colostral-derived trypsin-inhibitor. Analysis of urine for IgG light chains or trypsin inhibitor will therefore reveal ingestion of colostrum.     

Surgical management of an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a foal: A multidisciplinary problem

A 5‐week‐old American Miniature filly was referred due to intermittent neurological signs of 4 weeks' duration. Clinicopathological findings showed increased ammonia and bile acids in venous blood samples. Abdominal ultrasonography detailed a portosystemic shunt (PSS). The foal underwent laparotomy and operative mesenteric portovenography, which further defined the PSS as extrahepatic portocaval in configuration. The PSS was occluded and intraoperative portovenography confirmed successful shunt occlusion. The foal made a good recovery from surgery and had a successful showing career until she succumbed to colic just over 3 years after surgery.     

Closed reduction and blind cross-pinning for repair of a proximal tibial fracture in a foal

A 4-day-old foal underwent repair of a proximal metaphyseal fracture of the tibia. After closed reduction, fixation was achieved by use of blind cross-pinning. Thirty-five days after surgery, radiography demonstrated complete healing. The foal was mildly lame 4 months after repair of the fracture. Blind cross-pinning may be considered as a method of repair for certain long bone fractures in small foals.     

Correction of bilateral ureteral defects in a foal

Bilateral ureteral defects were diagnosed as the cause of depression and azotemia in an 8-day-old Thoroughbred filly. The azotemia resulted from accumulation of urine in the retroperitoneal area. A ventral midline laparotomy was performed, and defects found in both the left and right ureter were repaired. Uroperitoneum and abdominal distention, presumably from urine leakage at the left ureteral surgery site, were detected on the fourth postoperative day and necessitated abdominal drainage. Thirty-six hours later, the leakage stopped spontaneously, and the foal recovered normally. This report should help to differentiate ureteral defects in foals from the more common syndrome of ruptured bladder.     

Tricuspid atresia in a foal

An Arabian crossbred foal was examined because of a suspected congenital cardiac anomaly. There was a grade V/V crescendo-decresendo holosystolic murmur and thrill in the left 4th intercostal space. The foal was slightly cyanotic and polycythemic. Electrocardiography suggested left ventricular hypertrophy. Angiography and cardiac and vascular pressure recordings led to a diagnosis of pulmonic stenosis. The foal died after cardiac bypass and corrective surgery. Postmortem examination revealed an enlarged right atrium, atresia of the tricuspid orifice, a large, fenestrated patent foramen ovale, eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy, and a large interventricular septal defect. The right ventricle had a small lumen and a relatively thick wall. There was valvular and supravalvular pulmonic stenosis, with poststenotic dilatation of the pulmonary artery. A single coronary artery originated from the anterior sinus of the aorta.     

Ulnar osteotomy for treatment of cubital subluxation,following locking compression plate osteosynthesis of a radius fracture in a foal

A closed mid‐diaphyseal fracture in a one‐day‐old foal was treated using a 3.5 mm locking compression plate on the cranial aspect of the radius. The foal showed good fracture healing, but a radio‐ulnar synostosis developed despite the absence of transfixation by any implant into the ulna. Four months after surgery the radiographs revealed a cubital subluxation, which was managed by an osteotomy of the ulna at the time of plate removal, allowing the ulna to adjust into a normal position. One year after surgery the foal was clinically sound; the radiographs showed good healing of the osteotomy gap as well as good remodelling of the radius; however, a slight elbow subluxation was present.     

Hereditary junctional mechanobullous disease in a foal

Mechanobullous disease was diagnosed in a male Belgian foal that had sloughed hooves at 30 hours and at 6 and 12 days of age. Histologic and electron microscopic studies disclosed that lesions were the result of separation of the basal epithelial cell layer from the lamina densa of the basement membrane zone along the lamina lucida. Results of immunofluorescence on tissue specimens were negative for immunoglobulin deposition. The breeding history of the foal's dam indicated that the foal was produced from breeding of the mare to its full sibling stallion. This same mare had produced a female foal, sired by a different stallion, which also had sloughed hooves during the first 2 weeks of life and had similar histologic and electron microscopic changes. This newly recognized disease of horses most closely resembles junctional-type epidermolysis bullosa described in human beings.     

The Level of Prolactin,Serum Amyloid A,and Selected Biochemical Markers in Mares Before and After Parturition and Foal Heat

The aim of the study was to determine the level of prolactin (PRL), serum amyloid A (SAA), and selected biochemical markers (T-Chol, AST, TP, Mg²⁺, P⁺, and Ca²⁺) in the blood of mares during the perinatal period. The study involved 14 mares of the Polish Coldblood Horse breed, which were in the third trimester of pregnancy. Blood was collected for testing 2 weeks before parturition and then 24 hours after delivery and in the foal heat (9 days) and 9 days after ovulation and breeding. The research revealed significant differences in the level of PRL and SAA before and after delivery. The highest PRL level was found 24 hours after delivery, lowest in foal heat and 9 days after ovulation. Serum amyloid A concentration was within the accepted norms; however, on day 9 after foaling, a significant increase of this protein was observed. All biochemical markers were within physiological limits. However, significant increases in T-Chol, AST, and TP levels was observed 24 hours after the delivery, whereas in foal heat and after ovulation levels of T-Chol and TP significantly decreased and the AST level remained at a similar level. There were no significant changes in electrolyte levels such as Mg²⁺, P⁺, and Ca²⁺. The pregnancy rate in the foal heat was at 43%. Collectively, the results of this study in conjunction with clinical observations demonstrated that when the perinatal period was normal, no disturbances in health related to pregnancy, parturition, lactation, and reproductive status during the postpartum period were found.     

Relation Among Neutrophil Enzyme Activity,Lipid Peroxidation,and Acute-Phase Response in Foal Heat in Mares

Apart from functional abnormalities, genetic structural disorders and management problems endometritis is one of the major causes of infertility or subfertility in mares. However, the causes of postbreeding endometritis in foal heat have not been clearly resolved to date. The aim of this study was to search for the relationship between neutrophil activity, acute-phase proteins, and oxidative status to indicate the parameters, which can influence fertility in cold-blooded mares in foal heat. The blood for the experiment was collected from 16 cold-blooded mares at five time points: 6–8 days before parturition, 24 hours after parturition, at the first postpartum breeding on the ninth day, 24 hours after breeding, and 48 hours after ovulation. The obtained samples were assigned for hematological tests, assays of neutrophil activity, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and fibrinogen concentrations. We estimated that in susceptible mares during persistent postbreeding endometritis, neutrophil activity increased together with MDA and fibrinogen plasma level. Elastase release in resistant mares before parturition was 48.91 ± 1.75%, whereas in susceptible animals, the value reached 45.57 ± 1.9% of the maximal release. Myeloperoxidase release in resistant mares before parturition reached 13.95 ± 2.1%, then increased at three consecutive measurements, and returned to a value from before parturition at the last measurement. Myeloperoxidase level in susceptible mares was slightly lower than in resistant ones, then these values augmented at all measurements, reaching the maximum at the fourth one. The obtained results may help to indicate the predisposition to persistent postbreeding endometritis in cold-blooded mares bred at foal heat.     

RADIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS IN THE FOAL

Abdominal discomfort in the foal presents a diagnostic challenge, because the small size of the foal precludes rectal palpation. Standing lateral horizontal beam abdominal radiographs using conventional techniques were evaluated as a diagnostic aid to identify the presence and location of gastrointestinal disorders in foals presented with colic. Forty foals were radiographed prior to surgery (20 foals), necropsy (7 foals), or clinical diagnosis (13 foals). Clinical, surgical, or necropsy findings were then correlated to radiographic findings. Gastrointestinal disease was accurately identified on radiographs as the source of colic in 25 of 26 foals that had surgical or postmortem confirmation. The site of disease, whether gastric, small intestinal, large intestinal, or a combination, was accurately determined from radiographs. Standing lateral abdominal radiographs were determined to be a valuable diagnostic aid in the foal presented with colic.     

Omphalocele in a foal

An omphalocele was detected at birth in a male Arabian foal. The mass contained small intestine and after releasing a constricting band at the body wall, the contents slipped easily back into the abdomen. On the outside was the hairless pink membrane. The interior, now empty of small intestine, contained the umbilical arteries and vein, and a large urachus that extended from the bladder to the opening at the extremity of the mass. Six days after corrective surgery the foal was sent home and remained healthy.