Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Foals and Crias)

Please Support Neonatal Foal ICU

We are a group of specialist doctors at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, UC Davis, who care for the sickest newborn foals and crias in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. These newborns have little physiological reserve and can become very sick after birth, deteriorating without veterinary intervention.

Owners are often not able to pay for the expenses of caring for a newborn foal or cria in an ICU, which is where this fund comes in: it will support treating such patients. Without additional financial support, owners may have to decide to humanely euthanize their animal, a heartbreaking decision for all. Horses can live for 30+ years, and alpacas 20+ years, so this support can provide these young animals with a solid foundation for a long, healthy life.

To maintain and advance our high standards in medical care, we need new equipment for the treatment of these sick newborns. We would also like to develop novel treatments and diagnostic modalities to provide these babies with the best possible hope for a good outcome. Many of these animals go on to benefit society through providing companionship, therapeutic riding programs, teaching children and adults about animals, and through fiber production by the alpacas and llamas. Treating these animals also provides our veterinary students with irreplaceable opportunities to learn how to treat sick babies and the rewards that come with hard work in challenging circumstances.

Please help us achieve our goals of saving these young patients and allowing them to have full, productive lives. Donations provide general support for the Foal ICU, including our current goal of treating patients and purchasing new equipment.