"Your vet is on the way. What do you do now?" Part 4

1. Equine Emergencies
Part 4
Ernie Martinez II DVM

2. MAP
Intro Prep Normal Eyes
YOU
ARE
HERE
Wounds Lame! Colic Foals & Foaling
READY!!!

3. FOALING EMERGENCIES
3 Stages of Foaling
• Stage 1- Preparation Stage (30min-4hr)
• Contractions begin, cervix dilates
• Fetus positions itself for Stage 2
• Wrap tail, clean perineal area
• CALL FOAL TEAM - (Alert vet)
• Open mare - Lidocaine, scalpel, scissors
• Foal Kit- Log Book, Tail Wrap, Gloves, Sleeves, Lube, Umb Dip,
Spray, Umb Clamps, Enema, Refractometer, Scissors, Banamine

4. STAGE 1- PREPARATION
• May be confused with colic
• Mare is restless, looks at flank, swishes tail,
urinates, up/down, sweating
• Foal rotates to DORSOSACRAL Position
• Contractions and Pressure Increase
• Fetus & Fuids forced against the cervix
• Chorioallantois ruptures - “Water Breaks”
• Allantoic Fluid
• EMERGENCY- Does not progress to Stage 2.
• Watch Clock, Keep notes
• CALL VET - Discuss

5. PREMATURE PLACENTAL SEPARATION -
“RED BAG”
• Stage 1 - EMERGENCY
• ACT QUICKLY
• BE PREPARED - Scissors/Scalpel
• Foal is Oxygen Deprived!!
• Affects may be delayed 12-24hrs
• Minimal to severe, may crash
• Write in Foaling Log
• Inform Vet during New Foal Exam
• Supplemental Oxygen - Intranasal or Mask
• Grogans - Lex.- Need prescription

6. STAGE 2 - FETAL EXPULSION
• Stage 2 - Fetal Expulsion
• 20-30mins
• Amnion (white sac) forced externally
• Normal Presentation Foot, foot, nose....
• Hooves Point up
• Productive contractions, gentle
assistance down to hocks

7. DYSTOCIA -
ABNORMAL OR DIFFICULT DELIVERY
• Stage 2 - EMERGENCY
• Positional Abnormalities - LEGS!!!
• Palp sleeves to check presentation
• Diagnose early
• Work to correct between contractions
• Walk mare, downhill --SAFETY
• Medications - TQs affect mare and foal
• EARLY REFERRAL = INC SUCCESS
• Mare and Foal
• Practice Run with Vet, to Clinic
• Have a plan

8. DYSTOCIA -
ABNORMAL OR DIFFICULT DELIVERY
• Stage 2 - EMERGENCY
• Positional Abnormalities - LEGS!!!
• Palp sleeves to check presentation
• Diagnose early
• Work to correct between contractions
• Walk mare, downhill --SAFETY
• Medications - TQs affect mare and foal
• EARLY REFERRAL = INC SUCCESS
• Mare and Foal
• Practice Run with Vet, to Clinic
• Have a plan

9. DYSTOCIA PLAN
• Things to consider
• Time to Clinic
• Time for your Vet to get there
• Earlier referral = Greater success
• Less Chance for hypoxia
• Less damage to mare
• Finances & Insurance

10. STAGE 3 - PASSING THE PLACENTA
• Stage 3 - Expulsion of Fetal Membranes
• 30min- 3hrs
• Beginning of Uterine Involution
• What to do?
• Tie up placenta - Baling twine
• Where is bulk of placenta? Sleeve up.
• Monitor Temp of Mare
• Retained Fetal Membranes- >3-6hrs
• Call Vet - Not Emergency but needs to be addressed promptly
• Oxytocin

11. MAP
Intro Prep Normal Eyes
Wounds Lame! Colic Foals & Foaling
YOU
ARE
HERE
READY!!!

12. NEWBORN FOAL
• Newborn Normals
• Stands in 1 hour
• Nurses in 2 hours
• Strip Nostrils
• Sternal - Help oxygenation of lungs
• Stimulate with dry toweling
• Pink MM
• Allow umbilical cord to break on its own
• Attempt to stand, bright, alert
• Oxygen supplementation - briefly
• Any Concerns - CALL YOUR VET

13. FOAL TIPS OF THE DAY
1. Vaccinate Mares 4-6m pre-foaling with her yearly boosters COLOSTRUM
1. Passive Transfer of Antibodies (IgGs) to FOAL
2. NI Screen - Neonatal Isoerythrolysis
1. ABs in milk coat RBCs, foal clears as foreign-->No O2
2. 2 weeks out, Due date, +2 weeks
3. Colostrum Refractometer (www.arssales.com)
1. Measures colostrum quality
2. Supplement if low with stored frozen colostrum via bottle or NGT(VET!!)
1. Supplement if ~18-19
4. Have a vet perform a new foal exam and check an IgG level

14. MAP
Intro Prep Normal Eyes
Wounds Lame! Colic Foals & Foaling
YOU
ARE
HERE
READY FOR 2012!!!

15. THANK-YOU
• Dr. Slovis
• Dr. Sprayberry
• Dr. McCracken
• Dr. Squires & Dr. Mason
• KENA & KHC
• Ernie Martinez II, DVM • Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
• 859-255-8741
• emartinez@hagyard.com
• www.hagyard.com
• @emartinezdvm
• @hagyard