- Foal or Newborn, Grinding Teeth or Curling Lip
- Foal or Newborn, Fever, Rectal Temperature Greater than 102.5 Degrees
- Foal Lameness, Under 1 Month Old
- Foal or Newborn, Heart Rate Elevated
- Foal or Newborn, Milk Drying on Face
- Foal or Newborn, Rectal Temperature Low, Less than 97 Degrees F
- Foal or Newborn, Navel or Umbilicus Seems Swollen & Firm
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Newborn Foal, White of Eye is Red or Bloodshot
Summary
However, bloodshot eyes in newborn foals is also associated with another underlying potentially life-threatening disorder- septicemia.
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Code Red
Call Your Vet Immediately, Even Outside Business Hours- If the foal fails to stand in 2 hours and nurse in 3 hours, along with this sign.
- If the foal is not as bright as normal or not nursing normally.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If the foal appears otherwise normal, i.e. is active and nursing normally.
your role
What To Do
Assess the foal's general health, especially attitude and nursing vigor, gum color, and rectal temperature. Look for diarrhea, lameness and gently feel the umbilical area (looking for swelling or moistness). Compare the appearance of the left and right eye. Do they look the same. If only one eye is affected, it is not as likely to be indicative of body-wide illness and is more likely local injury.Contact your vet immediately and share your findings and concerns.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
- When was the foal born?
- Is the foal active and nursing?
- Are both eyes affected?
- Does the foal appear healthy otherwise?
- Did the foal stand and nurse normally after foaling?
- Did a vet assess the mare, foal and placenta soon after foaling?
- Do you think that the foal is nursing?
- How frequently is the foal nursing?
- Was an IgG antibody test done on the foal after birth?
- What are the results of the newborn foal exam?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health