Foaling & Pediatrics

Pediatrics

Your dream foal is finally here! You want to make sure that everything is proceeding normally with the foal and dam. CGES provides a full spectrum of care for young horses. We start with neonatal examinations within 24 hours of birth, assessing IgG levels and the overall health and condition of the foal and dam. Special attention is given to the foal to detect any sign of infection, hernia, limb deformity or congenital defect. Newborn foals are born without any antibodies. The foal must nurse the mare and ingest a sufficient quantity of good quality colostrum to protect the foal from disease. Colostrum contains antibodies and we measure the amount of antibody with an IgG test. A low IgG level can be easily corrected with a plasma transfusion and prevent septicemia, pneumonia and joint ill. We keep frozen plasma and colostrum banked in our freezer and ready for use if needed.

Foals with weak tendons can have splints and special shoes applied. Foals with contracted tendons can receive treatment to relax tight tendons and allow joints to develop normally. Young growing foals with angular limb deformities can have special shoes applied and surgical procedures to correct the deformity before it is too late.

Sick foals can be treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics and plasma. We place feeding tubes for foals that cannot nurse. Joint sepsis is treated early with joint lavage. Foals with respiratory disease receive a thoracic ultrasound and tracheal wash. We are experienced in treating foals with failure of passive transfer, neonatal maladjustment syndrome, prematurity, septicemia, diarrhea, limb deformities, neonatal isoerythrolysis and other disease of young horses.