{"id":57,"date":"2026-07-04T20:07:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T20:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/?p=57"},"modified":"2026-07-11T14:38:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T14:38:41","slug":"he-wouldnt-nurse-treating-dummy-foal-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/?p=57","title":{"rendered":"He Wouldn&#8217;t Nurse: Treating Dummy Foal Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-start=\"257\" data-end=\"422\">Bringing a new foal into the world is one of the most exciting moments for any horse owner. But those first few hours after birth are also some of the most critical.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BATTGNAEt9g?si=34dhrr50OMFyymgd\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"424\" data-end=\"734\">In our latest <strong data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"457\">Equine Vet Life<\/strong> episode, Dr. Jenna visits a farm to examine a newborn foal that wasn&#8217;t nursing properly. What started as a concerning phone call became an excellent example of why early recognition and veterinary intervention can make all the difference.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1rz4dvt\" data-start=\"736\" data-end=\"783\">The 1-2-3 Rule Every Horse Owner Should Know<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"785\" data-end=\"859\">One of the most important guidelines during foaling is the <strong data-start=\"844\" data-end=\"858\">1-2-3 Rule<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"952\">\n<li data-section-id=\"ctv4r4\" data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"886\"><strong data-start=\"863\" data-end=\"886\">Stand within 1 hour<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"vxmtlf\" data-start=\"887\" data-end=\"913\"><strong data-start=\"889\" data-end=\"913\">Nurse within 2 hours<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"x9f0cl\" data-start=\"914\" data-end=\"952\"><strong data-start=\"916\" data-end=\"952\">Pass the placenta within 3 hours<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"954\" data-end=\"1029\">If any of these milestones aren&#8217;t met, it&#8217;s time to call your veterinarian.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1031\" data-end=\"1168\">While every foal develops at its own pace, delays can be the first sign that something isn&#8217;t right.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1j78kpo\" data-start=\"1170\" data-end=\"1200\">Why Isn&#8217;t the Foal Nursing?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1265\">A foal that isn&#8217;t nursing can have several underlying problems.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1267\" data-end=\"1294\">Some common causes include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1296\" data-end=\"1499\">\n<li data-section-id=\"i5u4oo\" data-start=\"1296\" data-end=\"1357\"><strong data-start=\"1298\" data-end=\"1357\">Neonatal maladjustment syndrome (&#8220;Dummy Foal Syndrome&#8221;)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"33yfn9\" data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1389\">Infection or early septicemia<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"2r0acx\" data-start=\"1390\" data-end=\"1424\">Weakness after a difficult birth<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1qkl03\" data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1438\">Dehydration<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"19xpqyb\" data-start=\"1439\" data-end=\"1459\">Pain or discomfort<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"14ewtil\" data-start=\"1460\" data-end=\"1499\">Less commonly, problems with the mare<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1501\" data-end=\"1553\">One important clue is watching the foal&#8217;s behaviour.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1555\" data-end=\"1865\">A healthy newborn should repeatedly get up, nurse, explore the stall briefly, then lie down to rest before nursing again. If instead the foal is wandering aimlessly, licking walls, standing in a corner, or ignoring the mare altogether, those are significant warning signs.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1f4yqzw\" data-start=\"1867\" data-end=\"1898\">Why Colostrum Is So Critical<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"1984\">Unlike many other species, foals are <strong data-start=\"1937\" data-end=\"1983\">not born with antibodies from their mother<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1986\" data-end=\"2128\">Their immune protection comes almost entirely from drinking <strong data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2059\">colostrum<\/strong>, the mare&#8217;s first milk, during the first 12 to 24 hours after birth.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2130\" data-end=\"2194\">Without enough colostrum, foals become much more susceptible to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2196\" data-end=\"2309\">\n<li data-section-id=\"v9c6yg\" data-start=\"2196\" data-end=\"2218\">Umbilical infections<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"13xfphy\" data-start=\"2219\" data-end=\"2237\">Joint infections<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"10wc5mq\" data-start=\"2238\" data-end=\"2249\">Pneumonia<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"11dcjmr\" data-start=\"2250\" data-end=\"2276\">Gastrointestinal disease<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1unndrm\" data-start=\"2277\" data-end=\"2309\">Serious bloodstream infections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2311\" data-end=\"2475\">That&#8217;s why veterinarians act quickly to ensure newborn foals receive adequate colostrum\u2014even if they can&#8217;t nurse on their own.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"jzmpo5\" data-start=\"2477\" data-end=\"2502\">How Veterinarians Help<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2504\" data-end=\"2555\">Every case is different, but treatment may include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2557\" data-end=\"2837\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1kog40y\" data-start=\"2557\" data-end=\"2590\">Assisting the foal with nursing<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"og3c21\" data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2628\">Milking the mare and bottle-feeding<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1pmqxuk\" data-start=\"2629\" data-end=\"2679\">Tube feeding colostrum directly into the stomach<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"r379h2\" data-start=\"2680\" data-end=\"2707\">IV fluids for dehydration<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1yn0f90\" data-start=\"2708\" data-end=\"2739\">Bloodwork and lactate testing<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1l2ez3z\" data-start=\"2740\" data-end=\"2795\">Plasma transfusions if antibody levels remain too low<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1jj6mb4\" data-start=\"2796\" data-end=\"2837\">Antibiotics when infection is suspected<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2839\" data-end=\"2975\">The goal is always the same: support the foal while identifying and treating the underlying cause.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"km9f77\" data-start=\"2977\" data-end=\"3008\">What Is Dummy Foal Syndrome?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3010\" data-end=\"3153\">One of the most fascinating parts of this case is the discussion of <strong data-start=\"3078\" data-end=\"3101\">Dummy Foal Syndrome<\/strong>, also known as <strong data-start=\"3117\" data-end=\"3152\">Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3155\" data-end=\"3199\">These foals often appear confused. They may:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3201\" data-end=\"3338\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1dm28nu\" data-start=\"3201\" data-end=\"3219\">Wander aimlessly<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"tevhzr\" data-start=\"3220\" data-end=\"3248\">Fail to recognize the mare<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"60yq2j\" data-start=\"3249\" data-end=\"3281\">Have trouble finding the udder<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1xgy8pp\" data-start=\"3282\" data-end=\"3309\">Be slow to stand or nurse<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"rrsqbr\" data-start=\"3310\" data-end=\"3338\">Appear dull or disoriented<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3340\" data-end=\"3570\">Some cases are thought to result from oxygen deprivation during birth, while others may involve hormonal changes that don&#8217;t fully switch the foal from &#8220;fetal mode&#8221; to normal newborn behaviour.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"qpj8l\" data-start=\"3572\" data-end=\"3609\">The Madigan Foal Squeeze Technique<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3611\" data-end=\"3716\">One treatment discussed in this episode is the <strong data-start=\"3658\" data-end=\"3692\">Madigan Foal Squeeze Technique<\/strong>, developed at UC Davis.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3718\" data-end=\"3905\">The technique uses a soft rope to gently apply pressure around the foal&#8217;s chest for approximately 20\u201330 minutes, mimicking the pressure experienced during passage through the birth canal.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3907\" data-end=\"4073\">In carefully selected cases, this can dramatically improve neurological function, with some foals becoming noticeably brighter and nursing normally shortly afterward.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4075\" data-end=\"4337\">However, <strong data-start=\"4084\" data-end=\"4147\">this should never be attempted without veterinary guidance.<\/strong> Foals should first be examined to rule out conditions like broken ribs or severe infection, where the procedure could be inappropriate or even harmful.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"72f3dq\" data-start=\"4339\" data-end=\"4357\">A Happy Outcome<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4359\" data-end=\"4499\">With supportive care, tube feeding, IV fluids, careful monitoring, and follow-up treatment, this foal gradually began nursing independently.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4501\" data-end=\"4599\">By 48 hours of age, he was bright, active, nursing regularly, and behaving like a healthy newborn.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4601\" data-end=\"4764\">Cases like this remind us how quickly newborn foals can improve when problems are recognized early and treated appropriately.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1cgaxiq\" data-start=\"4766\" data-end=\"4788\">Watch the Full Case<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4790\" data-end=\"4974\">This episode follows the entire examination, diagnosis, and treatment process as Dr. Jenna works alongside the owner and farm manager to give this foal the best possible start in life.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4976\" data-end=\"5092\">If you care for mares and foals\u2014or simply enjoy seeing real veterinary medicine in action\u2014you won&#8217;t want to miss it.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5094\" data-end=\"5342\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><strong data-start=\"5094\" data-end=\"5304\">\ud83c\udfa5 Watch the full video on the Equine Vet Life YouTube channel, and don&#8217;t forget to subscribe for more real-world equine veterinary cases, practical horse health tips, and behind-the-scenes veterinary care.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bringing a new foal into the world is one of the most exciting moments for any horse owner. But those first few hours after birth are also some of the most critical. In our latest Equine Vet Life episode, Dr. Jenna visits a farm to examine a newborn foal that wasn&#8217;t nursing properly. What started&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":63,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=57"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59,"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57\/revisions\/59"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/63"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=57"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=57"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equinevetlife.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=57"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}