This document discusses prematurity in foals. Premature foals are those delivered before 320 days of gestation. They often have low birth weight, poor muscle development, flexor and joint laxity, weak suck reflex, and impaired organ functions. Causes of prematurity include placental or fetal problems, maternal illness, and premature induction of labor. Treatment focuses on supporting respiratory, cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal functions, managing metabolic issues, and physical therapy. Close monitoring and care is needed to improve survival of premature foals.

1. Prematurity in foals
Rajeev Kumar Mishra
L2015M38M
COVS, GADVASU, Ludhiana

2. • A foal is considered premature if delivered
before Day 320 of gestation.
• He has not been able to complete developing
inside his mother's uterus.
Dysmature foals?????

3. • Low birth weight
• Small frame; thin
• Poor muscle development
• Flexor laxity
• Peri-articular laxity
• Hypotonia
• Short, silky hair coat
• Domed forhead
• Floppy ear
• Weak suck reflex
• Poor thermoregulation
• Gastrointestinal dysfunction
• delayed maturation of renal
function
• Entropion with 2° corneal ulcer
• Poor glucose regulation
• Poor ACTH response
• Neutrophil : lymphocyte <1.0
• Poor cortisol level
Clinical characteristic of prematurity

5.  Placental problems: twins, placentitis, premature placental separation.
 Fetal problems: fetal sepsis (Herpes virus, EVA, ehrlichiosis, other bacteria), fetal
malformation, hydroallantois, fetal placentitis (FIRS), etc.
 Maternal problems: severe systemic disease, chronic debilitation, maternal
placentitis.
 Iatrogenic:
 Early induction based on: inaccurate breeding dates, misinterpreting late
term colic as ineffective labor.
 Early C-section because of catastrophic medical problem in mare: fatal colic,
fracture of major bone, progressive neurologic disease.
 Idiopathic.
What’s the cause ????????

6. Condition with improved survival rate..
• -ve systemic disease in mare and +ve of
suckle reflex.
• TLC > 500/µl
2

7. Treatment
• Mechanical ventilation
• Nasotracheal intubation
• Intratracheal surfactant administration
Respiratory system:

8. Abnormal behaviour…
• Inability to stand = Assist to stand and change
the side every 2 hrs
• Weak suck reflex = Nasogastric tube,
perentral nutrition

9. Abnormal homeostiasis
• Hypothermia = Raise ambient temperature
(Temp ≤ 37.2°c)
• Metabolic acidosis = hypovolemia isotonicHCO3-
(PH ≤ 7.5) Adequate ventilation ensured
 Haem concentration = maintenance fluid@80-120ml/kg
 Hypoglycaemia (≤50mg/dl) = I/V dextrose

10. GIT dysmotility…
• Gastric reflux/ ileus = decrease feed load
oral/iv Perinorm
• Constipation = enema, oral mineral oil
psyllium husk P.O
• Diarrhoea = Oral proctants,
Active cultures
• Ulceration = aciloc@ 6.6mg/kg qid
sucralfate, avoid NSAID

11. Flexor laxity & Peri-articular laxity
• Inability to stand.
• Physical therapy
• Glue on Shoes with heel extension
• Restricted exercise on soft surface.

12. Hypogammaglobinaemia
• IgG ≤ 400-800 mg/dl.
• Oral colstrum, minimum of 1lt if < 18 hrs age.
• i/v plasma @20-40ml/kg
• Broad spectrum antibiotics

13. Cardiovascular support
• Premature foals often have poor or marginal cardiovascular
function. This is primarily due to a lack of responsiveness of
vessels to pressors. Careful use of fluid support and
inotropes and pressors such as dopamine, dobutamine,
epinephrine and vasopressin may achieve improvement of
cardiovascular function.

14. Renal function
• The abnormal renal function is not a
reflection of “premature kidneys.
• It is important not to fluid load these foals
and then rely on diuretic therapy to rid the
body of the iatrogenic fluid overload.

15. Prevention of self-trauma
• Protection can be afforded by deeply bedding
the neonate or placing him on blankets, a
mattress, etc.
• Keeping the foal dry is the key to avoiding
development of decubitus ulcers.