“At two months of age, introducing creep
feeding is highly recommended. This system allows only the foals to eat, only when they want to. This provides them the adequate nutrition their growing bodies need without overfeeding them.”
At two months of age, introducing creep feeding
is highly recommended. This system allows only the foals to eat, only when they want to. This provides them the adequate nutrition their growing bodies need without overfeeding them. It is also helpful when it comes to weaning time as it has been shown that foals do better, post-weaning, when maintained on a creep-feeding program.
PARASITES Foals are susceptible to a variety of worms including, cyathostomes, large strongyles, tapeworms, pinworms and threadworms. However, roundworms, or ascarids, are the most common disease-causing parasite to affect foals between the ages of one to eighteen months. These worms will take advantage of immature immune systems in foals and can cause stunted growth, depression, respi- ratory disease, constipation, colic and diarrhea. Within their life cycle of ten to twelve weeks, the larvae will travel through the foal’s lungs and liver and can cause severe impactions in the small intestines. By the time a horse is two, their more-developed immune system provides greater protection and the risk of life-threatening worm problems is greatly reduced. Regular worming and creep feeding will both help
protect your foal from a roundworm infestation. Deworm with a fenbendazole product at 10 mg/kg beginning anywhere from 30 to 45 days and every two months thereafter, especially in the summer months. This is double the dose for mature horses but it is essential for maximum effectiveness. Panacur paste is very effective against roundworms and is completely safe for foals. You can also work with your veterinarian to pull fecal exams, especially on weanlings, in order to determine how effec- tive your deworming program is. Creep feeding for older foals on pasture and hay
in raised holders will help limit the number of para- sites ingested as compared to hay eaten directly from the ground. More precautions include daily picking up manure in their paddocks, mowing regularly and keeping stalls clean.
LAWSONIA INTRACELLULARIS Very little is known about lawsonia and how it is trans- mitted or spread. It is a bacterial disease that usually affects foals four to seven months old and can cause severe intestinal disease. The source of this bacterium is still unknown but it is believed that foals ingest lawso- nia through something in their environment. It is possi- ble that it is transmitted through the manure of other infected horses carrying the bacteria in their intestinal tract. Although it does not affect adult horses, they may be carriers, helping to spread the bacteria. It will often affect multiple foals on a farm so it is important to isolate foals diagnosed with lawsonia. Once a foal ingests the bacteria, it will attach itself to
the cells lining the small intestinal wall. It causes these cells to grow excessively, causing Equine Proliferative Enteropathy (EPE). This interferes with nutrient absorp- tion and the foals will lose blood proteins into their intes- tines. These foals can experience diarrhea, loss of appe- tite, weight loss and fevers. They may appear lethargic or quieter than the other foals, have a dull coat or have a pot-bellied appearance and may develop edema in their legs, throatlatch area, sheath or along the bottom of the abdomen. In many cases, symptoms can be missed until the
bacterium has advanced and blood protein levels are dangerously low. Diagnosis is confirmed through manure and blood tests but it is also possible to see thicken- ing of the intestinal wall through ultrasound examina- tion. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Antibiotics such as erythromycin (frequently combined with rifampin), penicillin, ampicillin, chlortetracycline or chloramphenicol. Foals with advanced infections may also require plasma. Your veterinarian will be able to determine the best course of treatment once the foal is diagnosed. If caught early, and treated correctly, infected foals
can grow to be completely normal horses. It may take a few months but with proper care, these foals have a defi- nite chance at making complete recoveries. In critical cases, foals can die without aggressive treatment. Unfor- tunately, there is no vaccine for lawsonia so proper farm management and observation of foals between the ages of four to seven months is critical in determining whether or not your foal may be affected.
RHODOCCOCUS Rhodoccocus Equi is a bacterial pneumonia that affects foals from a few weeks old up to four to six months. This gram-positive coccobacillus bacterium is most commonly found in dry, dusty soil. Besides causing severe pneu- monia, about 70 percent of the time it causes joint and bone infections along with diarrhea. This life-threaten- ing respiratory disease can be difficult to diagnose in its
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