Lavender foal syndrome

Veterinary advice should be sought before applying any treatment or vaccine.

Lavender Foal Syndrome

Coat Color Dilution Lethal

Lavender foal syndrome (LFS) is a lethal genetic disease affecting newborn foals. The condition gets its name from the odd hair coat coloring of the foals which is a silver, white, pale gray, pink or pale lavender hue. Upon birth, foals are unable to stand and are sometimes unable to lie upright. They often make paddling motions with legs and/or have seizures.

It is important to conduct genetic screening of Arabian horses, to help reduce the carrier prevalence within the breeding population and reduce the birth of foals with lavender foal syndrome.

Symptoms

Dull lavender, silver, pink or gray coat color
Unable to stand
Seizures
Paddling with legs

Diagnosis

  • History
  • Clinical signs
  • Physical exam
  • Genetic testing

Support

Therapies

There is no effective treatment. Foals are usually euthanized within a few days of birth.

Prognosis

Poor

Scientific Research

General Overviews

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Age Range

Affects newborn Arabian foals.

Commonly Affected Breeds

Arabian icon