Question

A 36 hour foal born from a multiparous mare presents for weakness, decreased appetite, and tachycardia. On physical exam, you examine the sclera and see it is yellow. Based on the signalment and findings, what is a likely cause?

Immune mediated thrombocytopenia
Failure of passive transfer
Neonatal Isoerythrolysis
Congenital iron toxicity

Answer 1

Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a likely cause of the foal's symptoms, including weakness, decreased appetite, tachycardia, and yellow sclera.

Step-by-step explanation:

The foal's symptoms, including weakness, decreased appetite, tachycardia, and yellow sclera, are suggestive of neonatal isoerythrolysis. Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a condition where the foal's red blood cells are being destroyed by antibodies from the mare's colostrum or milk. It commonly occurs in multiparous mares and is often due to incompatibility between blood types of the mare and foal.