Survey of Veterinarians Using a Novel Physical Compression Squeeze Procedure in the Management of Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome in Foals

Compared to other species, horses are born with a more functional and developed brain. This is thought to be an evolutionary mechanism for prey survival in the wild. In the equine species the transition from fetal in utero unconsciousness to extrauterine consciousness upon birth is critical for the survival of the neonate. Maintenance of in utero unconsciousness is accomplished by a combination of environmental factors, like warmth and cushioned tactile stimulation, and various endocrine compounds that have neuroinhibitory effects. This ensures the fetus remains on a sleep-like state, protecting the mare’s uterus from the action of the foal’s long limbs.

After the first few hours of being born the foal needs to comply with some landmark behaviors – standing, walking, and sucking are the most important ones. Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome (NMS) is characterized by a failure to accomplish these behaviors. A series of abnormal behaviors like, for example, reduced awareness of the environment and failure to find the udder are typical of this condition. A consequence of NMS can be inadequate ingestion of colostrum and milk, both of which can threaten the foal’s life. In the past it was thought that NMS was a result of a prolonged state of hypoxia during birth, but recent studies have shown the persistence of neuroinhibitory compounds after birth is the most likely cause of NMS, meaning that the transition from in uterus consciousness to extrauterine consciousness is not accomplished. The diagnosis of the condition is made based on behavioral observations.

In 2012, a rope squeeze method was described as a contention form for healthy foals. This method was developed having into account that when held tightly, foals respond with a state of somnolence and immobility and once the pressure is removed alertness is rapidly regained. Soon after, anecdotal reports started emerging about foals with NMS that resolved the clinical signs after 20 minutes squeeze pressure. The purpose of this paper was to determine if the application of this procedure in neonatal foals with NMS aided the recovery by speeding their attainment of a normal state of consciousness. Information was collected from 195 foals all with abnormal behaviors typical of NMS.

According to the study, foals squeezed had significantly faster and higher recovery rates compared with foals that had just conventional treatment. The majority recovered 24h after the procedure. This thoracic squeeze is thought to reset cerebral cortical function by mimicking the pressure of the birth canal during labor. At the same time, this pressure is believed to play a role in the transition between neuro inhibition to neuro activation, altering the foal’s conscious state from in uterus to extra uterus. To conclude, the squeeze can induce a faster recovery of foals with NMS, by promoting a normal state of consciousness post-partum. This way referral can be avoided and both costs and treatment time reduced. In some cases, it might even prevent euthanasia due to financial constraints or lack of resources.

Aleman, M., Weich, K. M. and Madigan, J. E. (2017) ‘Survey of Veterinarians Using a Novel Physical Compression Squeeze Procedure in the Management of Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome in Foals’, Animals, 7(9) DOI: 10.3390/ani7090069