Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2012 | Page 115

EQUESTRIAN
Summer has hopefully arrived and with

24 hours. We would recommend that a

Case Study

it come this year’s crop of newborn foals!

blood test is taken from the foal after 12

“Rosie” the mare had some problems

It is easy to feel a sense of relief when

hours to ensure adequate antibodies

at the end of her pregnancy and at

a foal is born and that the hard work is

have been absorbed. If the foal is not

the time she gave birth was being

over, but there are still plenty of things

suckling well at this stage then the

treated for laminitis and placentitis

that are vital to check to ensure the

foal can be stomach-tubed with high

which we knew could affect the quality

health and well being of your new foal

quality colostrum to ensure antibodies

of her colostrum. “Maisie” the foal was

and it’s mother!

are absorbed in time. If the colostrum

examined within hours of being born

The Mare

is of poor quality or if the foal is greater

and her umbilicus, hard palate and joints

It is important to have your mare

than 24 hours old then an intravenous

checked. Although she was suckling

checked by a veterinary surgeon within

transfusion of hyperimmune plasma can

the milk looked very watery, and as the

the first 12 hours after foaling. The

be given to boost the foal’s antibody

mare had been dripping milk for several

placenta should be passed within the

levels. This is a form of specially

weeks prior to foaling, blood samples

first six hours so keep this in a bucket

prepared, stored blood that is packed

were taken from “Maisie” at 6 hours

for your vet to examine and ensure

full of antibodies to help the foal fight

and 12 hours to measure her levels of

that it is intact. The mare will need to

infections.

antibodies. A stable side test indicated

be examined to check that she hasn’t

The umbilical stump should be

antibody levels were low and she was

sustained any injuries during foaling and

checked for any leakage of urine or

given a plasma transfusion. The stable

that none of the placenta has been left

signs of infection. For the first few 2-3

side test gives a good indication of

inside. Retained placenta’s can rapidly

days it must be dipped in a solution to

antibody levels but a more accurate,

lead to serious side effects of laminitis or

aid drying and prevent infection. It is

exact antibody level can be read in a

bloo B&