blood test on new born foals

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fleurswanton

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As the title, do most people get their new born foals blood tested, to check their well being. Apparently this is a good indicator if they have had the correct colestrum intake etc. Can help reduce things such as joint ill as preventative treatment can be give.
 
Yeah I always have bloods taken on the foal check in order to test their IgG (Immunoglobin) levels which is the antibody count in their bodies from the mare's colostrum. A good level as you said lets you know how much colustrum and thus how well covered their immune system is as well as lets you know if you need to give a plasma transfusion, etc. I also get the vet to give the foal an anti tetanus jab at the same time.
 
Out of curiosty how much does the blood testing cost? Plan to do this with mine just wondered how much?
 
Hi I just had my new born tested and so glad as she is on the low side :-( vet is coming back tomorrow for another test it cost me £27 so def worth it in my opinion :-)
 
IMO it's a test not worth not doing, if that makes sense, especially if there is any question as to the colostrum quality and/or the mare has dripped/run milk - it's surprising just jow much colostrum is lost just by what is seemingly dripping milk.
 
I had it done with mine..vet wasnt worried till I mentioned mare had dripped for 2 days..took bloods and he was right on the borderline so was given plasma....for what it costs to get these foals on the ground, something id do evertime :)
 
I doubt anyone would look down on you Rosehip but it is just one of those tests that as someone has already said, after spending so much time and money on getting them there that you would kick yourself for not doing if something went wrong after foaling that could have been picked up on it.
 
True Eventrider... is it then shameful that I wasnt planning to have the vet immediately unless there appeared to be something wrong?
I didnt before...and my Dad (he's a farmer) doesnt see the need......
 
No, it's not shameful at all! If you don't feel the need to do the test and the mare didn't wax up for days on end/drip milk or run milk, then foalie will probably be fine. As for not getting the vet out once the foal is born - some people ask the vet for the tet jab to administer to the foal themselves the day after foaling. Providing you are happy that the mare has cleansed properly, hasn't torn during foaling etc and that the foal is bright and has done everything a new born should do, then that decision is yours to make about calling the vet :) No one should look down on you for choosing not to though!
 
Sportznight said:
No, it's not shameful at all! If you don't feel the need to do the test and the mare didn't wax up for days on end/drip milk or run milk, then foalie will probably be fine. As for not getting the vet out once the foal is born - some people ask the vet for the tet jab to administer to the foal themselves the day after foaling. Providing you are happy that the mare has cleansed properly, hasn't torn during foaling etc and that the foal is bright and has done everything a new born should do, then that decision is yours to make about calling the vet :) No one should look down on you for choosing not to though!
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Thanks Sportznight....makes me feel a bit better.
Wont hijack the thread any more....xx
 
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