Colostrum is produced by the mare during the last 2-4 weeks of pregnancy. Within two hours of birth, foals must ingest colostrum, which is their only source of protection against disease: they are born with almost no immunoglobulins (IgG). During the first 12 hours of life, the foal should take in 3-5 litres of colostrum to acquire passive immunity. Colostrum contains an average of 80 grams of IgG per litre, with concentrations declining rapidly and after 2-3 hours IgG will be as low as 5 grams per litre.
Failure of passive antibody transfer in newborn foals is the most common cause of equine immunodeficiency, occurring in up to 24% of newborn foals. This condition is associated with an increased risk of infectious disease and increased mortality. Early detection and treatment of passive transfer failure is essential in reducing foal morbidity and mortality.
In foals, a serum IgG concentration of 80g/l is adequate. We consider passive transfer failure to be a condition where the serum IgG concentration is 40-80 g/l. A serum IgG concentration of less than 40 g/l would result in a complete failure of passive transfer of antibodies. Hand-held refractometers are used to measure the IgG concentration in the colostrum.
Inadequate quality and quantity of maternal colostrum can be addressed by suctioning or replacement colostrum
The foal is unable to stand up and suck the colostrum given in the bottle
Insufficient absorption from the small intestine causes disease in the foal – rematurity, dysmaturity, stress
Premature lactation in the mare reduces the quality of the colostrum, need to measure its content
Mare refuses to nurse foal can be addressed by pumping and bottle feeding
Older mares after 18 – 20 years of age have reduced immunoglobulin content in the colostrum. Poor quality colostrum with a low content of active substances can be present after birth, but also in a mare whose milk has been dripping from the mammary gland for more than 3 days before birth. Such colostrum is not complete and may not provide a sufficient supply of protective antibodies.
In addition to nutrients and immunoglobulins, colostrum also contains protein, which has a natural laxative effect, stimulating intestinal activity. Most foals expel the intestinal contents – the colostrum – within three hours of receiving colostrum.
Waldos’ hand-operated milking machines allow milk to be extracted and fed directly to the foal from a collection container, in which the colostrum can also be frozen and stored safely in the freezer.
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