| dc.description.abstract | Summary
Background: Equine neonatology focuses mainly on the perinatal period of foals
from the terminal phase of pregnancy throughout the first few weeks of life. The
delayed recognition of abnormalities in the early postpartum period can lead to
severe consequences, or it may affect the future performance of the expected
equine athlete. This specialty has gained attention in the last 30–40 years close
proximity to the substantial Thoroughbred-breeding centres of the world.
Objectives: The aim of this review is to provide a practical approach to equine
veterinarians, students, horse breeders and owners about the hallmarks of the
most important disease entities in this age-group of foals using our own experiences and published data.
Results and Discussion: In the first part of our article series the aim was to
summarize the abnormalities of the mare and the foetus at the third trimester of
pregnancy, around parturition as well as to provide a practitioners guide to equine
veterinary practicians about the normal and abnormal findings, intensive therapy
and critical care of the new-born foal, based on the latest literature.
We discuss the disorders of the integumentary system, umbilical stump, the
respiratory and cardiovascular system, detailing the following diseases: entropion,
omphalophlebitis, equine neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (surfactant
deficiency), equine neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome or acute lung
injury, bacterial and viral pneumonias, thoracic traumas and hernia, ventricular
septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus. | en_US |
