If a neurologic mare has a foal, will the foal mimic her behavior that is affected by disease? Dr. Rodney Belgrave, Director of Internal Medicine at the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, revealed that foals don't often mimic neurologic ways of their dam unless the foal is also affected by the disease, reports EQUUS magazine.
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is one of the more-common neurologic diseases mares may be experiencing when they foal. Belgrave reports that the foals seen in his clinic do not display the same neurologic deficits the dams have.
However, he notes, foals can be born with an EPM infection. Neospora hughesi, one of the organisms that can cause EPM, can be transferred through the placenta to the fetus. Infected foals did not show neurologic deficits until they were three months old.
Equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1), which is highly contagious, can also be transmitted to the fetus. Foals can be born with EHV-1 in their bloodstream and in their organs (like the liver, lungs and thymus), but most show no neurological signs.
Foals that appear neurologic are more likely to be suffering from neonatal encephalopathy than a neurologic disease like EHV-1 or EPM. This happens when the fetus is deprived of oxygen in the womb because the placenta isn't functioning correctly, often due to a bacterial disease. These foals are often uncoordinated and lack a suckle reflex.
Foals can also be deprived of oxygen during the birthing process. These foals often don't develop neurologic signs until 18 to 24 hours after birth.
In both cases, lack of oxygen leads to fluid in the brain tissue; it can also damage other organs like the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. If foals are treated early and appropriately, their prognosis is very good.
Read more at EQUUS magazine.
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