title: Maturity of the neonatal foal.
abstract: The immature foal frequently represents a significant management challenge to even the most experienced clinician. The clinical course typically involves complications to a range of body systems,including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. Before the commencement of treatment, it is important to provide the owner with an estimation of short-term and long-term survival, expected costs, and possible complications. Formulation of an accurate prognosis can be a difficult task but is aided by knowledge not only of normal maturation but of the factors that affect this process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch 6150, Western Australia. g.lester@murdoch.edu.au
authors.forename: Guy D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Lester
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology; D006736:Horses / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000191:economics