ANALYSIS OF THE ORPHAN REARING OF FOALS A CCORDING TO THE LEIPZIG-MODEL AT THE CLINIC OF OBSTETRICS IN LEIPZIG (1961-1995)

From 1961 to 1995 41 orphan foals were referred for rearing. 36 were d ischarged from the clinic in a healthy and well developed status after 30 to 60 days. 4 died after septicemia, 1 was euthanized. only 13 foa ls developed mild to moderate diarrhea during the rearing period. For the orphan's rearing we focused on: 1) Adaptation of the milk replacer : Dairy milk, skimmed, diluted with water 4 : 1, 20 g lactose/l milk-r eplacer, 50 000 I.U. Vit.A and 500 mg Vit. C/day. 2) No overfeed of or phan foals at the beginning of therapy. 3) High frequency of feeding/d ay and low amount of milk-replacer/feeding: Start with 150-200 ml milk -replacer/feeding, 15-16 feedings/day, e.g., every 1-2 hours. Total vo lume/Day/1st week: 2-4.5 liters. According to the foals individual upt ake increase in daily milk-replacer amount, or increase every 2nd day. Decrease frequency of feedings at the same time, e.g., down to 10 tim es at the end of the 2nd week. Total amount at that time: 4.5-6 liters .