Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine

Join us to support the Equine Neonatal ICU Fund

We are a group of specialist doctors at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital who care for the sickest newborn foals and crias at our Lucy G. Whittier Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). These newborns have little physiological reserve and can become very sick after birth, deteriorating without veterinary intervention.

When a newborn foal or cria needs intensive care, the cost can put treatment out of reach for the those who care for them. Your support helps bridge that gap, giving these vulnerable newborns and other equine patients the care they need and a chance to thrive. 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.