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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
    
| I have never seen a dummy foal, but this sounds exciting and relatively easy and the possible link to Autism is intriguing.
http://ucdavis.edu/ucdavis-today/2015/february/03-foals.html#.VPXwa...
It basically says that they now believe that the cause of dummy foals it the lack of sufficient pressure during the birthing process which turns certain neurotransmitters either on or off taking the foal from a deep sleep to survival mode. If they "recreate the
birthing process" by applying a soft harness for at least 20 minutes, it puts the foal back to the sleep stage and simulates the pressure sustained during the birthing process, thus allowing the neurotransmitters to do what they are supposed to do and the foal returns to normal. If this treatment is supported by further study, this technique would seem to be a necessity to learn by vets and breeders. Previous to this, dummy foal syndrome has been attributed to a lack of oxygen during the birthing process.
What I find even more interesting is the possible link to Autism. Click on the link to learn more. |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | rodeoveteran - 2015-03-07 10:39 AM I have never seen a dummy foal, but this sounds exciting and relatively easy and the possible link to Autism is intriguing. http://ucdavis.edu/ucdavis-today/2015/february/03-foals.html#.VPXwa... It basically says that they now believe that the cause of dummy foals it the lack of sufficient pressure during the birthing process which turns certain neurotransmitters either on or off taking the foal from a deep sleep to survival mode. If they "recreate the birthing process" by applying a soft harness for at least 20 minutes, it puts the foal back to the sleep stage and simulates the pressure sustained during the birthing process, thus allowing the neurotransmitters to do what they are supposed to do and the foal returns to normal. If this treatment is supported by further study, this technique would seem to be a necessity to learn by vets and breeders. Previous to this, dummy foal syndrome has been attributed to a lack of oxygen during the birthing process. What I find even more interesting is the possible link to Autism. Click on the link to learn more.
I read that somewhere too, my only question is how do they explain c section babies? I have had 2 and neither is autistic and have helped with pulling calves and c sections. The c section babies are faster to come around usually than a hard pull on an assisted birth. |
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| I'm guessing that they theorize that in the case of dummy foals, there is not enough birthing pressure FOR THAT FOAL. There could be a number of factors including chemistry, genetics and environment is my guess. They did talk about hospitals using a "kangaroo" technique including early skin to skin contact a swaddling...oh heck, it's in the article and I am having trouble with this stupid "puter again! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1430
Location: Montana | Thank you so much for posting this! We have a mare whose first foal was a dummy and she's coming with her second one. Hope I don't need to know this, but I'm feeling better having a plan.
Very interesting! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Mountains of VA | I always thought dummy foal syndrome was similiar to cerebral palsy in humans. This article is interesting. I have seen two dummy foals, both had a difficult/lengthy foaling process and were big foals at birth out of maiden mares. Both developed and grew but always had mental issues. Both were treated with dexamethosone at birth.
As for the autisim link, I'm not so sure. Too many factors combine for autisim IMO.
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Agree with the possible link to Autism. Just thought it was different approach to the problem, something not yet considered. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | Saw this on Facebook today:
Another success for the "Madigan Foal Squeeze" technique at Oklahoma Equine Hospital. Congrats for Dr Jessi Arnold and her team for implementing the use of thisprocedure on maladjusted or "dummy" foals.It was long thought "dummy" foals were oxygen deprived at birth. Dr Madigan and his team at UC Davis discovered this syndrome is due to a lack of neurotransmitters normally produced during the birthing process. Reenactment of the birthing process stimulates the release of neurotransmitters. We are 2 for 2 using this technique at Oklahoma Equine Hospital so far this foaling season. This foal 2 hours prior to this picture had severe neurologic signs. It could not stand or nurse. It had an uncontrollable head tilt, it's tongue hung out of its mouth and it would not retract it inside of its mouth. Now it's back home with its mother bucking & playing. The chance of this foal surviving prior to the use of this technique was very low. Here is a link to this procedure: http://ucdavis.edu/ucdavis-tod…/2015/february/03-foals.html…For more information contact the clinic at 405-288-6460. |
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Murphy - 2015-03-10 9:10 AM
Saw this on Facebook today:Another success for the "Madigan Foal Squeeze" technique at Oklahoma Equine Hospital. Congrats for Dr Jessi Arnold and her team for implementing the use of thisprocedure on maladjusted or "dummy" foals. It was long thought "dummy" foals were oxygen deprived at birth. Dr Madigan and his team at UC Davis discovered this syndrome is due to a lack of neurotransmitters normally produced during the birthing process. Reenactment of the birthing process stimulates the release of neurotransmitters. We are 2 for 2 using this technique at Oklahoma Equine Hospital so far this foaling season. This foal 2 hours prior to this picture had severe neurologic signs. It could not stand or nurse. It had an uncontrollable head tilt, it's tongue hung out of its mouth and it would not retract it inside of its mouth. Now it's back home with its mother bucking & playing. The chance of this foal surviving prior to the use of this technique was very low. Here is a link to this procedure: http://ucdavis.edu/ucdavis-tod…/2015/february/03-foals.html…For more information contact the clinic at 405-288-6460.
This is the same link I posted . |
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Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | rodeoveteran - 2015-03-10 3:28 PM Murphy - 2015-03-10 9:10 AM Saw this on Facebook today:
Another success for the "Madigan Foal Squeeze" technique at Oklahoma Equine Hospital. Congrats for Dr Jessi Arnold and her team for implementing the use of thisprocedure on maladjusted or "dummy" foals.
It was long thought "dummy" foals were oxygen deprived at birth. Dr Madigan and his team at UC Davis discovered this syndrome is due to a lack of neurotransmitters normally produced during the birthing process. Reenactment of the birthing process stimulates the release of neurotransmitters.
We are 2 for 2 using this technique at Oklahoma Equine Hospital so far this foaling season.
This foal 2 hours prior to this picture had severe neurologic signs. It could not stand or nurse.
It had an uncontrollable head tilt, it's tongue hung out of its mouth and it would not retract it inside of its mouth.
Now it's back home with its mother bucking & playing. The chance of this foal surviving prior to the use of this technique was very low.
Here is a link to this procedure:
http://ucdavis.edu/ucdavis-tod…/2015/february/03-foals.html…
For more information contact the clinic at 405-288-6460. This is the same link I posted .
Yes, that's correct. However, the story I posted looks like it just occurred recently. Looks like two out of two colts have been helped using this technique at OEH. |
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