IDIOPATHIC HYPOCALCEMIA IN FOALS

Five thoroughbred foals (4 fillies and 1 colt), all in good to excelle nt body condition, ranging in age from 4 days to 5 weeks at the time o f onset of signs, were presented to 2 Kentucky equine hospitals from 1 992 through 1996. All 5 foals presented with tachycardia, hyperhidrosi s, diarrhea or a recent history of diarrhea, and muscle rigidity or st iff gait. Four of the 5 foals presented for recumbency, seizure-like a ctivity with opisthotonos, or pronounced extensor muscle rigidity, All 5 foals were hypocalcemic. All foals either died or had euthanasia pe rformed. None responded to oral calcium supplementation. The cause of the hypocalcemia was unknown, Different idiopathic hypocalcemia syndro mes may exist in foals. Copyright (C) 1997 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.