Clinical monitoring of an orphaned wild Bosnian mountain horse foal: A case report

This case report describes the early clinical and laboratory course of an orphaned wild Bosnian Mountain Horse foal, with the aim of highlighting the diagnostic value of age-appropriate interpretation of clinicopathological findings during early life. The report is of particular interest because published data on the clinical monitoring of orphaned foals of this breed remain limited. The case included repeated hematological and biochemical analyses, coprological examinations, and dermatological evaluations, initiated partly due to the occurrence of two distinct skin lesions. Laboratory findings obtained at approximately two and four months of age were interpreted with consideration of age-related physiological variations characteristic of foals. Progressive decreases in erythrocyte parameters were consistent with physiological anemia of foals, while leukocyte profiles, platelet counts, and biochemical values reflected normal developmental adaptation rather than pathological changes. Two clinically distinct skin conditions were identified during follow-up. The first was a localized periocular dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis, diagnosed by microbiological analysis of skin scraping collected from the lesion margins. The second was diffuse, irregular, poorly demarcated alopecic lesion of non-infectious origin, supported by negative microbiological and parasitological findings from skin scrapings and by spontaneous regression without specific therapy. Despite early-life challenges associated with orphan status and suboptimal nutrition, the foal maintained stable systemic health throughout the monitoring period. This case underscores the importance of age-appropriate interpretation of clinicopathological parameters and comprehensive clinical assessment in orphaned or free-ranging foals.