Veterinary Medical Center

Our Services

The Equine Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Ohio State provides expert, state-of-the art care for sick foals at the Galbreath Equine Center.

Service Highlights

• 3 board certified internists, 4 board certified surgeons with full ancillary support services
• 24-hour, personal care of your foal
• 24-hour immediate access to laboratory services and diagnostic imaging/radiology
• 24-hour trained technical staff
• Dedicated facilities

Hours & Location

Please call ahead. 24–hr service: (614) 292-6661; fax: (614) 688-5642

Galbreath Equine Center
601 Vernon L. Tharp Street
Columbus , OH 43210-1089

See map & directions.

When to Refer

Prompt and early referral is the key to success – if in doubt, refer! A mare's conditions can help early identification and intervention: illness during gestation, early lactation, placentitis, premature placental separation, dystocia

Referring Veterinarians: Stabilizing the foal for referral requires the following steps:

1. Hypothermia prevention
   • Keep foal warm with heated water bottles & blankets
   • Ship in heated vehicle separate from mare
2. For respiratory support
   • Nasal oxygen if available
3. For fluid therapy
   • Place IV catheter, administer LRS or 0.9% saline. Add 5% dextrose (100 ml of 50% dextrose solution in 1 liter)
4. Antibiotics
   • Collect blood culture aseptically before starting antibiotics
   • Administer broad spectrum antibiotics (penicillin and amikacin or gentamacin)
5. Control of seizures
   • Diazepam at 0.1-0.1 mg/kg IV or IM
   • OR Midazolam at 0.1 mg/kg IV

Common Conditions & Procedures

• Premature or dysmature: small, floppy ears, fine hair
• Generalized weakness, loss of suckle
• Hyperemic membranes, injected sclera, cyanosis
• Abnormal behavior
• Abdominal distention

Lab tests in problem foals:

• IgG<800 mg/dl
• CBC: leukopenia, toxic neutrophils, left shift
• Glucose: < 70 mg/dl
• High creatinine at birth; placental hypoxia

Clinicians

• Teresa Burns, DVM, MS, ACVIM
• Margaret Mudge, VMD, DACVS, ACVECC, Assistant Professor-Clinical
• Ramiro Toribio, DVM, MS, PhD, ACVIM, Assistant Professor
• Samuel Hurcombe, BVMS, MS, ACVIM, Clinical Assistant Professor

Payment

Payment is expected at the time of your visit. Please read our payment policy for complete information.