The most common diseases affecting foals

The foaling season is now in full swing all over the country. If you are expecting a foal or are about to receive a foal in your stable, it is a good idea to keep an eye out for the common diseases which can affect them and for the symptoms which you should be alert to.

Every year thousands of foals are born in Sweden and, nowadays, there are many horse owners whose eyes are glued to their surveillance camera in anticipation of the patter of foals' hooves in their stable. Both gestation and foaling go well most of the time and the foal born is a healthy, lively youngster. But not all the time – some of the most common ailments which can affect foals are septicaemia, constipation and angular limb deformities.

"Most types of diseases can appear already during the foal stage. We see three diagnoses that have a greater impact with recurring cases every year," says Karl-Henrik Heimdahl, horse vet at Agria Djurförsäkring.

Septicaemia

Septicaemia is a bacterial infection which affects foals during their first weeks of life, when the foal's own antibodies do not provide full protection. The infection starts somewhere in the body as a joint infection, meningitis, pneumonia or diarrhoea and, in the worst case scenario, can develop into general blood poisoning, known as foal sepsis. The bacteria come through inhaled air, the mouth or via an infection of the navel. Septicaemia often has a rapid progression.

Symptoms

• Reduced appetite.
• Severe general impact and fatigue.
• Some parts of the body, including the ears and legs, become cold due to impaired blood circulation in the body.
• In the case of a joint infection, lameness can be observed, along with swelling of the infected joint.

Treatment

It is vital to initiate treatment quickly. Intensive medical care is often required, such as antibiotic treatment, plasma droplets with antibodies, but also surgical treatment may be necessary.

Meconium constipation

The foal should pass its meconium within 12 hours of birth - otherwise, this will lead to constipation and the foal will get colic. Meconium is dark in colour and often comes out as small hard stools.

Symptoms

• Colic.
• The foal scrapes its hooves and looks towards its abdomen.
• The foal strains and tries to defecate.
• If the symptoms become more severe, the foal may lie down on its back and try to roll.

Treatment

Always contact your vet for advice, but if you notice the problem early, it can often be resolved by administering Microlax or a similar product.

Angular limb deformities

This often affects premature foals, foals which are not growing normally or which were in the wrong position in the womb. Foals can have different types of angular limb deformities.

Symptoms

• Abnormal leg position, caused either by the foal having dropped fetlocks or very upright pasterns. In severe cases, the foal may knuckle over at the fetlock or buckle over at the knee.
• The line from the knee to the fetlock or from the stifle to the fetlock is not straight.
• Severe toe-out or toe-in stance.

Treatment

In mild cases, the condition can resolve itself spontaneously. If treatment is required, it is important to carry it out promptly before the growth plates close. Consult a vet and expert farrier.