COURSE DESCRIPTION

This 2-day interactive course has been designed to provide veterinarians from mixed or equine first opinion and/or hospital practice with the theoretical and practical background on the care of the neonatal and post-neonatal foal.  On the first day, lectures will focus on care of the foal in a 1st opinion setting and on recognition and initial therapy for conditions of the foal commonly encountered in 1^st opinion practice.  Orthopedic conditions and aspects of foal care commonly performed in a clinic or hospital setting will be covered on the second day.  The course will be run by two experts in foal care, Professor Pam Wilkins (Univ. of Illinois, USA), and Dr. Ben Buchanan (Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, Navasota, TX) who will all bring a wealth of experience to this course.  

Over 2 days the following highly-illustrated lectures will provide attendees with an overview of common foal-related topics, with opportunities to delve into depth on common issues: 

• Adverse Peripartum Events – Birth Resuscitation
• Initial assessment of the sick foal
• Recognition & Management of Shock
• Respiratory Problems of the Foal
• The Dummy Foal
• The Septic Foal
• The Uremic Foal
• The Foal with Colic
• (Selected) Musculoskeletal Deformities of the Foal
• Ins & Outs of Fluid Therapy
• Enteral & Parenteral Nutrition
• Infectious & Traumatic Orthopedic Injuries of Foals 

Due to requirements for ethics approvals and reluctance of owners to volunteer live foals for practical sessions, this course will use 4 hours of small interactive and PowerPoint based discussion groups, models and cadaver specimens during practical sessions, which will be on Day 2.   During the afternoon, attendees will rotate through the following stations, and have the opportunity to discuss related cases with the experts:    

• Placement of Over-the-Wire catheter (can include some fluid/medication rate discussion and calculation exercises if opted by the group)
• Use of Bandages, Splints, Casts & Hoof Extensions
• Imaging the Unwell Neonate (PowerPoint, Videos, Discussion, Imaging Machine Settings)

An additional session involving the instructor panel will show and discuss developments in Foal-side Quick Assessment Tests. 

The course fee includes lunches, coffee/tea breaks, extensive electronic course notes and a certificate of attendance. Attendees can choose to only attend the lectures (= Lectures Only) on this course or can register for the entire course (= Lectures & Interactive/Practical Sessions).   On the evening of the first day all attendees are invited to attend a Wine & Cheese Reception (included in the course fee) after which they can attend an informal dinner with the speakers (not included in course fees, venue to be advised).