Practical fluid therapy in the foal. Part 1: clinical indicators and intravenous fluid types

Background: Foals are at increased risk of hypovolaemia and rapid deterioration compared to adult horses, and fluid therapy is therefore a vital part of the management of sick foals. Aim of the article: This article is the first in a two‐part series that aims to describe the approach to fluid therapy in the foal. It covers physiological differences between foals and adults that have an impact on their response to fluid therapy, clinical indications for intravenous fluid therapy and how to recognise when intravenous fluids are required, and types of fluid that are available for administration including crystalloids and colloids.