How long do foals usually stay in intensive care?

Some foals improve within 24–48 hours once feeding, warmth, and hydration are stabilised. Others need several days or longer if infection, pneumonia, or complications after birth are present.

Can a foal be treated at home instead?

Mild issues can sometimes be managed on-farm with a clear plan and close observation, but weakness, poor nursing, abnormal temperature, breathing effort, or suspected infection are safer to manage in hospital where monitoring is frequent.

What is an IgG test and why does it matter?

An IgG test checks whether the foal absorbed enough antibodies from colostrum. Low IgG increases infection risk, and early treatment (often with plasma) can make a big difference.

When should I call Ormeau Vet about a newborn foal?

Call as soon as something feels off, especially if the foal is not nursing well, is quiet, or is slow to stand. Early assessment is often simpler than trying to catch up once a foal is significantly unwell.

Neonatal Intensive Care

Neonatal intensive care is hospital-level support for foals in the first weeks of life who are too unwell to be managed safely at home. It combines frequent assessments, monitoring, nursing care, and targeted treatment, so problems are picked up early and addressed before they snowball.

Some foals need short-term help to get back on track. Others require longer hospitalisation, especially when infection, poor milk intake, or complications after birth are involved.

Why some foals struggle in the first days

Newborn foals have limited reserves. They can become unwell from issues around delivery, trouble standing and nursing, infection, temperature loss, dehydration, or underlying problems that were not obvious at birth.

Common scenarios include a prolonged or assisted delivery, a mare with poor milk supply, prematurity, failure to take in enough colostrum, scours, pneumonia, joint infections, and bloodstream infection.

Signs your foal needs a vet check

Early signs can be subtle. Often it looks like a “quiet” foal, a foal that is not latching properly, or a foal that keeps lying down and does not brighten after a feed.

You might notice reduced suck reflex, weakness or wobbliness, low body temperature, fast breathing, coughing or nasal discharge, diarrhoea, swollen joints, gums that look dark or tacky, or the mare becoming unsettled because the foal is not nursing normally.

If you’re arranging transport or support locally, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ormeau,_Queensland has a quick overview of Ormeau that can help when coordinating travel plans.

How we assess and diagnose an unwell newborn foal

We start with a full physical assessment, including temperature, heart rate, breathing, hydration, gut sounds, and a careful look at the umbilicus, joints, and lungs. From there, we choose tests that match what we are seeing and what needs an answer quickly.

Depending on the case, this may include blood tests to check infection and organ function, blood glucose and electrolytes, IgG testing to assess passive transfer, blood gas and lactate for oxygenation and perfusion, ultrasound (for lungs, abdomen, and umbilical structures), and sometimes radiographs. Just as important is trend monitoring, since repeated checks can show whether treatment is working.

What treatment can involve in hospital

Treatment is built around what the foal needs right now, then refined as results come back. Supportive care often includes warming and temperature support, oxygen if breathing is compromised, IV fluids to correct dehydration and electrolytes, and nutritional support if milk intake is inadequate.

Where infection is suspected, antibiotics are started promptly, then adjusted as needed. Some foals benefit from plasma transfusion when IgG is low or infection risk is high. Nursing care is a big part of success, including safe bedding, frequent repositioning if weak, help with standing, monitoring urine and manure output, and careful feeding plans to protect the gut.

For clients across Ormeau Hills, Pimpama, Yatala, Kingsholme, Bannockburn, Cupania, we can also help coordinate the safest timing for referral and transport based on the foal’s condition.

What to expect when your foal is admitted

Initial stabilisation: warmth, breathing support if needed, pain relief where appropriate, and IV access for fluids and sampling.
Baseline testing: targeted blood tests and bedside checks (including glucose), then imaging if indicated.
A treatment plan: immediate care plus a plan for the next 12–24 hours, including feeding strategy and monitoring schedule.
Regular updates: we’ll discuss progress, results, and any changes as the foal responds.
Discharge planning: once stable, we talk through home care, follow-up checks, and prevention steps for the mare and foal.

Recovery at home and reducing the chance of relapse

Once a foal goes home, the goal is steady feeding, normal temperature, and normal behaviour. We’ll guide you on monitoring nursing, milk supply, and manure output, along with safe turnout and hygiene around the umbilicus and bedding.

Prevention often comes back to early colostrum intake, clean foaling environments, prompt attention to difficult births, and early testing for IgG where there’s any doubt about passive transfer.

When it’s urgent

Seek immediate help if you notice any of the following:

The foal cannot stand, cannot nurse, or suddenly stops nursing
Laboured breathing, blue or very pale gums, or marked lethargy
Cold body temperature that does not improve with warming
Profuse diarrhoea, weakness, or signs of dehydration
Swollen, painful joints or a hot, swollen umbilicus

Costs and what affects pricing

Fees vary depending on how unwell the foal is on arrival, how long hospitalisation is needed, what monitoring is required, and whether treatments like oxygen, IV fluids, plasma, imaging, or repeat blood tests are indicated. We can give you an estimate once we’ve assessed the foal and outlined the first-day plan.