A perfect length of soft rope for administering the "Madigan Squeeze" Technique to your newborn foal or calf displaying symptoms of Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome (NMS). This technique is useful in simulating the physical pressure of the birth canal and “activate the switch” to an alert state in cases where this physical transition does not occur.
For ease of application a pre-tied bowline knot with a chafe guard are included.
Kit comes with instructions on performing the technique with photos.
Squeeze-Ease Foal Rope Kit
Foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome, or dummy foals, appear healthy when they are born, but shortly after, often within the first few hours to days of life, start to show abnormal neurological health: they appear confused, disoriented and unresponsive. They are likely to be detached, aimlessly wander around, and be disinterested in their dam or in nursing. Affected foals exhibit unusual behaviours and neurological signs, like stumbling towards humans (flight animals should be wary of humans) and moving in a disorientated fashion. Unaffected foals will normally be on their feet and feeding, with a strong mother/foal bond within 1–2 hours.Foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome are also likely to display metabolic abnormalities, such as reduced ventilation, difficulty with thermoregulation and reduced motility of the gastrointestinal tract. If left untreated, the syndrome can even result in the death of the foal. Neonatal maladjustment syndrome encompasses a range of conditions, from mildly affected foals showing a slight lack of connection with the mare to more severely affected foals that may struggle to stand or nurse, experiencing additional complications. The level of intervention required will vary depending on the severity of the condition in individual foals.Many foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome do respond favourably to veterinary care, and around 80% will recover after a short period of 1–2 weeks. A survey of veterinarians using the Madigan's squeeze technique revealed that foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome who were subjected to squeezing, whether with or without medical therapy, exhibited a 3.7 times higher likelihood of quick recovery compared to non-squeezed foals. Squeezed foals were also reported to have a 15 times greater likelihood of recovery within an hour. Foals receiving only squeezing, without medical intervention, showed a 17.5 times higher likelihood of recovering in the first 24 hours compared to those treated solely with medication. The study found no reported side effects. The research indicated that 12% of all foals and 14% of squeezed foals did not recover. In cases of maladjustment referred to clinics, survival rates in several studies were reported to be 80%. There are a lot of nursing interventions to consider in these cases, and nursing these ‘dummy foals’ requires round-the-clock, intensive care and feeding via stomach tube or bottle. The extent of the impact on each foal will determine the appropriate course of action. Foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome face an elevated risk of accompanying conditions like failure of passive transfer, sepsis, meconium retention and more. Emphasising the significance of early detection and intervention becomes crucial in preventing these complications and influencing the prognosis