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  Discussion on Tiny white spots on teats
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Member:
Imogen

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 29, 2003 - 2:07 pm:

I saw this on my mare before she started fully waxing. It actually looked like her nipples had whitefly... Glad to hear Kari's mare foaled normally because mine is now a few days overdue and has been dripping milk/colostrum all over her back legs for 3 days (she is stabled in a foaling unit nearby and the guy keeps telling me she is going to foal every night - I think she just has an evil wish to keep him from watching Punchestown Races which is on the telly this week).

I don't know how concerned I should be about the milk dripping other than to tell the vet when he comes to check the foal eventually in case there is a colostrum deficiency?

To the best of my knowledge there's no fescue involved...

All the best

Imogen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 29, 2003 - 9:32 pm:

Have the foal checked but take heart, lots of mare drip but this really does not seem to often result in low IgG for the foal.
DrO
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2003 - 2:30 pm:

Dr O, the guy who is foaling her said that if she foals any later than tonight he would be a bit worried by the amount of milk lost.

He said what he usually does in that situation is to mix up what they call "beastings" here (seems to be some sort of dried colostrum protein that you mix with warm water) and give the foal that as soon as it's starting to try to suck, then let it take what it can from the mare, and when the vet comes then to get them to test for immunoglobulins(?) to check. He says he does this because you can't guarantee the vet will get there in time and usually they are too late.

However, when I probed a bit further he believes that the immunity comes from whatever first lines the foal's stomach, rather than the 12-18 hours time limit for transfer of Igs through the stomach wall.

Does it seem OK as a plan?

Thanks for your response. I am not too worried as he seems to know what he is doing and I don't want to interfere (why buy a dog and bark yourself especially when you don't know what you're barking about!) but the stomach lining thing was a little alarming. I can't see the beastings would hurt except for interfering with the foal/mare bonding and nursing a little.

All the best
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2003 - 6:28 pm:

What are beastings made of? In general it is thought best not to prefeed "stuff" because closure of the bowel to the large immunoglobulins may be hastened by contact with food.
DrO
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Thursday, May 1, 2003 - 5:29 am:

I don't know what beastings actually is though I'll try to find out for interest's sake. However it's hypothetical now as the foal arrived last night, it seems fine though it is unfortunately a filly and has a rather unattractive blobby star, but nice and tall and it will be going grey so with luck the star won't notice - you can't have everything!

When I get a picture I'll post it in the babypics thread.

I imagine the vet will be over sometime today so I'll find out more after that. No sign of human life at the foaling place and I know the owner has been up at nights for about 2 weeks so I imagine he's having a well-earned kip and I didn't want to disturb him.

Thanks to all on the board for your advice and especially Dr O.

Imogen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, May 1, 2003 - 10:21 am:

Can't wait for the pictures!
DrO
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