[Respiratory support techniques in foals in a newborn intensive care unit for large animals]

Various techniques for support and control of respiration in neonatal foals are described. It is crucial to evaluate respiration through frequent arterial blood gas analysis. Details for blood sampling from the metatarsal arteries and interpretation of results are provided. Typical diseases in newborn foals, which cause hypoxemia and/or hypercapnia and can be indications for respiratory support are apnea, hypopnea, pulmonary atelectasis, surfactant deficiency, meconium-, fetal fluid- and milk aspiration, maladjustment syndrome, cardiovascular abnormalities, anemia, airway obstruction, compromised lung expansion, increased abdominal pressure and pneumonias. Oxygen insufflation can be delivered through an intranasal tube. Positive pressure ventilation is best accomplished via an endotracheal tube. A nasogastric tube is inserted for enteral nutrition, application of drugs and checking for gastric reflux. Details for insertion of endotracheal and nasogastric tubes are given. Positive pressure ventilation can be achieved by manual ventilation with a rebreathing resp. resuscitator bag and mechanical ventilation with a respirator. Management and control of mechanical ventilation as well as intensive care and monitoring of foals are described.