THERMOREGULATION IN SICK FOALS AGED LESS-THAN ONE WEEK

Metabolic rate, rectal temperature T-r and respiratory quotient (RQ) w ere determined in 16 sick foals, aged 0-182 h. The foals were categori zed into three groups: premature, dysmature or those suffering from ne onatal maladjustment syndrome. The mean metabolic rate of the prematur e foals was 71 watts per unit area of body surface (W m(-2)), signific antly lower than that of the other two groups. The overall mean metabo lic rate for the sick foals was 82 W m(-2), about 25% below that of he althy foals of similar age. Air temperature (T-a) was 9.5-26.3 degrees C, and several foals shivered despite the provision of additional 'wa rmth' and insulation. Values of T-r were below 38 degrees C until afte r 4 h post partum. Thereafter, T-r averaged 38.1 degrees C but fluctua ted widely. The RQ (mean value 0.83) was not correlated with T-a. The lower critical temperature for the sick foals was estimated at 24 degr ees C, on average. Methods to prevent excessive heat loss from sick fo als are suggested.