🐴 CPR in Newborn Foals: Emergency Resuscitation Protocols for 2025 🆘💨

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

When foals die shortly after birth, it’s most often due to oxygen deprivation—not cardiac arrest. In fact, respiratory failure is the leading cause of neonatal mortality in horses. In 2025, timely and well-informed CPR can give compromised foals a real chance at survival. 🧠🐎

⚠️ Which Foals Need Resuscitation?

Foals that meet the following criteria may require CPR:

• 💨 Respiratory rate less than 10 breaths/min
• 💓 Heart rate less than 60 bpm
• 🥱 No response to stimulation
• 😮 Gasping or not breathing spontaneously

🧼 Initial Post-Birth Actions

1. 🧻 Dry the foal aggressively with towels to stimulate circulation
2. 💧 Clear the nostrils and mouth using:
   • 🔵 A large bulb syringe
   • 🔧 Or a 60cc syringe with rubber tubing
3. 🧠 Lower the head slightly—but do NOT suspend by the hind legs

❌ What NOT to Do:

• 🚫 Don’t shake, spank, or slap the foal
• 🚫 Don’t tie off the umbilical cord unless there is

Gentle, precise stimulation is key—rough handling can cause more harm than good. 🚨

💨 Providing Artificial Breathing

If the foal is not breathing or the heart rate is below 60 bpm:

1. 🧪 Pass a sterile tube through the nose or mouth into the trachea
2. 💨 Use a resuscitation (Ambu) bag to administer breaths
3. 🕐 Provide 10–20 breaths per minute if possible

This requires some training. Ideally, have your vet perform this—or practice in advance under veterinary guidance. 💡

🩺 Monitoring Vital Signs

Keep a stethoscope on hand to monitor:

• 💓 Heart rate (Normal: 60–100 bpm at birth)
• 💨 Respiratory rate (Normal: 40–60 breaths/min)

If either drops below critical thresholds and the foal is non-responsive, initiate emergency action and call your vet immediately. 📞

📦 What to Keep in a Foaling Emergency Kit

• 🧻 Clean towels
• 💉 Bulb or 60cc syringe with tubing
• 🩺 Stethoscope
• 🧪 Resuscitation bag with mask or intubation equipment
• 📞 Your vet’s emergency number

📲 Ask A Vet for Foal CPR Training

Foaling season is unpredictable. Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to prepare with foal CPR checklists, emergency protocols, and staff training. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can help you prep your foaling kit, train your barn crew, and improve survival odds for at-risk neonates. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

Newborn foal CPR is a high-stakes, time-sensitive skill that can make all the difference. In 2025, with the right tools and training, you can give your newborns the best possible start. Every breath counts. 💨❤️🐎

Need a CPR prep checklist? Visit AskAVet.com to download one today 🐴🆘