Foal poop...what's normal?

[KrazyHorses]

Junior is a week old now. After he was born, he passed his meconium poop (before I could even think of giving an enema). Then, went on to regular poop. Well, it is not manure balls, but looks more like dog poop. Sometimes, he puts his tail up and looks like he is going to poop, but doesn't. Is he straining? When he does poop shortly after that it seems OK. Then, this morning, he had one episode of 'squirty' poop. Maybe from trying the grass and hay?

Is this all normal for mini foals?

 

[Miniv]

What looks like dog poop is fairly common for very young foals. Keep an eye on the squirty poop. If he does that too much you may need to give him some pepto. He may get foal scours in another week or so when his mom goes into Foal Heat. Also if he seems to be straining and nothing is happening, an enema may help with that. Occasionally, I've had to give a very young foal an enema a few days after birth because there was a stubborn hard piece of poop stuck, causing the foal to be uncomfortable and too much straining can cause damage.

MA

 

[KrazyHorses]

How do you know when to give an enema? What kind of enema do you give a foal? How much? How far?

 

[Miniv]

What we like to do is get a human INFANT Fleet brand enema......It's the applicator we like because the size and amount it holds is just right for a mini foal.

I have used the contents, but it's even better if you dump it and replace it with half mineral oil and half warm water. If you choose to use the contents, be sure to warm it. Then, wash it and save it for a homemade mix at a later time.

Straddle the foal facing his hindend, holding him firmly between your legs. You can slip the nozzle inside his rectum all the way if you have the INFANT size applicator. (If the children's size, you might want to only slip it inside about half to 3/4ths of the way.) Gentley squeeze the container until it's mashed in your hand. Be prepared for your foal to jump away, so hang on to the tail and with your legs!

As soon as you are done, step away -- FAR away from the foal or you could get some "back flush"! :lol:

Then, watch the foal. It could be only a matter of a minute or two......up to 10 minutes before there is the reaction to the enema.

MA