TEXAS VET NEWS By Dr. Bob Judd, DVM and the Texas Farm Bureau Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network

Today on the program I am going to give you some parameters to check immediately after a foal is born.  The stage of labor in mares when the mare has strong uterine contractions and the foal is born is stage two labor.  This stage should only last about 20 minutes in a normal mare.  After the foal is born, regular breathing should start within 30 seconds of birth, and most foals will attempt to sit up on their sternum within 5 minutes after birth.  The normal heart rate after birth should be around 70 beats per minute - you can buy a stethoscope to check the heart rate.  Foals that gasp for longer than 30 seconds, have a heart rate below 40 beats per minute, or foals with difficulty breathing should be seen by a vet immediately as they may need resuscitating with oxygen.  Other parameters to examine include the color of the foal’s gums.  The membranes should be pink, and it’s a bad sign if they are blue or gray.  Also, any foal with a pulse under 60 beats per minute has a potential problem. 

Responses from the foal are also important in evaluation immediately after birth.  By tickling the foal’s ear, the foal should flick the ear and shake the head briskly.  No response indicates severe depression.  Also, a reaction should be achieved by sticking your finger or a piece of straw in the foal’s nasal cavity.  A normal foal will snort and shake the head.  Pressure applied over the back should stimulate the foal to try to stand and extend the front legs.  Normal foals should have a respiratory rate above 60 breaths per minute and they should be alert.  If any other these parameters are not normal, contact your vet as these may the first signs of a problem.

Date Published: 8/31/2009 10:17:00 AM