Practices To Help Improve Neonatal GI Tract Of Foals

Foals have very sensitive digestive systems, and it is essential that good practices to help improve neonatal GI tract of foals are followed to help prevent gastrointestinal problems.

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Best Practices To Help Improve Neonatal GI Tract Of Foals

When a foal is born, it has a very sensitive and underdeveloped digestive system. 

Care Of The Dam Prior To Foaling

Heath care of the foal starts before it is even born, by ensuring that the dam is in peak condition.

Care Of The Newborn Foal

When the foal is firstborn, the umbilical cord will still be attached to the placenta inside the womb of the mare. This will be naturally broken after around 20 minutes when the mare and foal start to move around.

Colostrum 

Colostrum is the first milk that the foal drinks, and it is very rich in antibodies. During the first 12 hours of life, the foal’s digestive system is able to absorb these antibodies

Meconium is the first feces passed by the foal and consists of fecal material that accumulates in the rectum before birth. It is not uncommon for a foal to struggle to pass meconium,

Meconium

So, as we have learned, the best practices to help improve neonatal GI tract of foals include vaccination of the mare, and adequate passive transfer of maternal antibodies.

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