FIVE YEAR RETROSPECTIVE OF NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT FOAL ADMISSION, HOSPITALIZATIONAND SURVIVABILITY DATA (2009-2013)

摘要

The financial viability of the equine industry has been severely challenged as a result of the global financial crisis beginning 2009. Where established as a mainstream economic activity, the equine industry can have a multi-billion dollar impact on state economic productivity.1 Central to the viability of the equine breeding industry is the reproductive success of the brood mare as measured by live foal production, which is approximately 80% for mares bred in various locations.2'3 Economic modellingof the brood mare has determined that 6 foals must be produced over a 7 year period to maintain financial viability for the individual, this including the sale of viable progeny.4 Survival of each foal delivered is therefore critical to the health of the overall equine industry.A number have previous studies have investigated the prognostic value of clinical and clinical pathological findings in neonatal foals at time of admission to intensive care units, and mathematical models have been created to assist clinician decision making with respect to survival.5"8 Repeatability between different locations or with different groups of foals in the same location where the model was created was however found to be poor. Prognostic equations were also found less useful for conditions that developed after the initial assessment.8 Field use of such prognostic models is difficult as many researched parameters in academic settings are not measurable in the field, and for those that are results are typically not available in a reasonable timeframe. Furthermore any delay in hospital referral may alter both clinical and laboratory findings, and affect prognosis.9 Once admitted, duration of hospitalization has a direct bearing on the cost of treatment.