#orphanfoal

[beinganequineintern-blog]

[beinganequineintern-blog]

Orphan Foal

We had a few quite days, where not many patients came in. These few days i got to learn the ins and outs of preping for surgeries, putting through medication orders for customers. So, when I came in after the weekend, to hear that we had a new patient was very exciting especially when i found out it was an 8 hour old foal !!!

He was an orphan foal whose mother died during birth. We had him in the clinic to check he had sufficient colostrum levels (IGG levels). Colostrum is produced by the mare and is the first milk, she produces just before she foals The colostrum is filled with immunoglobulins which will give the foal protection from invading bacteria, this will keep the foal healthy until its own immune system is adequate, which is at about 8 to 10 weeks.