Oxygen Deprivation in Newborn Foals

the foal just doesnt seem right any of the following could be the cause of abnormal or depressed behaviour
Infection Diarrhea from a Salmonella infection and pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi frequently plague foals.
Injury Broken ribs are not uncommon in large foals and shock and pain can lead to unresponsiveness.
Hypothermia While most foals are able to maintain sufficient body temperature some may need help staying warm.
Poor Nutrition The mare may not be producing milk or may not be allowing the foal to nurse.
Discomfort The foal may have ulcers lameness internal deformities or other sources of pain.
A thorough veterinary examination is necessary to determine the cause of the foals behaviour. To give the foal the best chance of complete recovery this examination should be done as soon as the owner notices a problem.
Preventing and Minimizing Neurologic Deficits
In a difficult foaling immediate intervention can make the problem less severe. Foaling managers attending the birth can watch for conditions that may lead to oxygen deprivation. One of the most common is a red bag delivery in which the placenta a red velvety membrane is the first thing to protrude from the mares vulva. In most deliveries the placenta ruptures but remains inside the mare until after the foal is delivered. The appearance of the placenta is a warning that the birth is not proceeding in the normal manner and that the foal is in danger of suffocation. The placenta needs to be torn or carefully cut so that the foals nose can be uncovered and cleared of fluid. The thin whitish membrane that normally encloses the foal usually ruptures as the birth progresses but may also need to be torn away from the muzzle.
Even without other birth complications the foal may not immediately begin to breathe on its own. Foaling attendants can clear the nostrils by suction or by stroking down the outside of the foals face. Rubbing the foal with dry towels can help to trigger breathing but vigorous rubbing may cause further injury if the foal has broken ribs from a difficult delivery. Mouthtonostril resuscitation can be performed until the foal can breathe on its own and a regular heartbeat is confirmed on a firm surface extend the foals neck cover one nostril and breathe into the other nostril every two to three seconds introducing enough air to see the chest expand.
Treatment and Prognosis
Care is aimed at several goals. One of the