How To Care For Your New Foal.
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Home Family -> subcategory Pets.
How to Care for Your New Foal
You've eagerly awaited your foal's arrival for eleven months, and now that he's here, it’s essential to ensure he gets the best possible start. Here’s how to care for your newborn foal effectively.
Ensure the Foal Sucks
A healthy foal should stand and nurse from the mare within the first two hours. If he struggles or seems uninterested in sucking, it might signal serious issues. Contact an experienced horse vet promptly.
Importance of Colostrum
Colostrum, the first milk, is crucial as it provides the antibodies your foal needs to ward off infections. A foal requires between 1.5 to 2 liters of quality colostrum. Ensure he receives enough of it.
If the foal refuses to suck, you can manually collect colostrum from the mare and feed it to him via a bottle. Alternatively, a vet can administer it directly into the foal's stomach using a tube. If the mare lacks milk, colostrum substitutes are available.
The foal's intestines can absorb colostrum only during the first 24 hours. Beyond this period, a vet might administer a plasma transfusion to supply necessary antibodies if needed.
Check for Meconium Passage
Ensure the foal passes meconium, the firm dark feces accumulated during gestation. Colt foals often face challenges due to their narrow pelvis, and your vet might recommend an enema.
Schedule a Vet Check-Up
Have the vet examine the foal and administer a tetanus injection, especially if the mare hasn’t been vaccinated recently. A blood sample can also verify that sufficient antibodies have been absorbed.
Consider Probiotics
Probiotics might help prevent "foal heat scours," a common diarrhea occurring around 10 days of age due to the digestive system adjusting to life outside the mare, not the mare’s hormones.
Monitor the Foal’s Development
Keep a close watch on your foal’s progress. Even apparently healthy foals at birth can develop issues later. They should become more active and alert over the initial days. A dullness or increased sleep might indicate a serious infection.
By providing attentive care from the start, you and your new foal can look forward to an exciting future together.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: How To Care For Your New Foal..
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