Coat colour dilution lethal (‘lavender foal a’): syndrome tetany syndrome of Arabian foals

Abstract

Coat colour dilution lethal (CCDL), referred to as ‘lavender foal syndrome’ by Arabian horse breeders, is a tetany syndrome of newborn Arabian foals of Egyptian breeding. The condition has been recognised for over 50 years but has not been described in the peer-reviewed literature. The purpose of this report is to make practitioners aware of its existence. Aside from the neurological signs, the most striking feature of this condition is the dilute or bleached-out hair coat colour. In a few cases, the colour is a very striking iridescent silver to pale lavender hue, hence the name ‘lavender foal syndrome’. Coat colour dilution lethal is a more appropriate name, as many affected foals do not exhibit the striking lavender colour. Other dilute coat colours observed are pewter (pale slate grey) and pale chestnut (pink).