Lavender foal syndrome (LFS)

LFS is an autosomal recessive inherited disease which has been reported mainly in the Egyptian Arabian.Affected foals can display an array of neurological signs including tetanic-like seizures, opisthotonus, stiff or paddling leg movements and nystagmus. These neurologic impairments prevent the foal from standing and nursing normally and, if not lethal on their own, are often the cause for euthanasia. In addition to these abnormalities, affected foals possess a characteristic diluted ‘‘lavender’’ coat color. This resulting coat color, variously described as pale gray, pewter, and light chestnut, as well as lavender, has coined the name ‘‘Lavender Foal Syndrome’’ (LFS), also called ‘‘Coat Color Dilution Lethal’’. There is currently no treatment for LFS available. Additionally, initial diagnosis can be difficult as the clinical signs of LFS can easily be confused with a number of neonatal conditions including neonatal maladjustment syndrome and encephalitis.