Equine Flash Notes - Failure of Passive Transfer Flashcards
what is the classic case presentation of a foal with failure of passive transfer?
newborn foal that is weak at birth that doesn’t nurse/nurses poorly or a strong foal but the dam has low, no, or poor quality colostrum
what are the tests that can be used to assess a foal for failure of passive transfer?
serum IgG - must be measured by 12 hours, if <400 indicates FPT, if between 400-800, partial failure of passive transfer, radial immunodiffusion - gold standard but takes 24 hours, foal side SNAP IgG test, gamma-check-E test (not for sick foals because will see false positives)
when may you use a mare side test for failure of passive transfer in foals?
use in problem mares, high risk pregnancies, & pre-lactation - gamma-check-c measures IgG in colostrum
in a foal diagnosed early with failure of passive transfer, what treatment is used?
less than 12 hours old, equine colostrum, oral IgG or IV serum product, & equine plasma IV only used in really sick foals
in foals diagnosed late with failure of passive transfer, what treatment is used?
after 18-24 hours, plasma transfusion IV
what drug can be given to a mare prior to parturition or post-foaling if no udder development?
domperidone
what blood types are best to avoid failure of passive transfer?
A & Q negative
how is failure of passive transfer prevented?
evaluate colostrum pre-partum (specific gravity > 1.060 is good) or measure IgG, maintain colostrum bank
what are 3 signs that a foal may have failure of passive transfer?
prematurity/dysmaturity, angular limb deformities, & dystocia
what are 3 risk factors in a mare for failure of passive transfer?
placentitis, fescue ingestion in late gestation, & poor conditioning in mares
what are 3 ways to evaluate colostrum quality pre-partum in a mare?
measure IgG in colostrum, measure specific gravity of colostrum, or estimate colostral IgG concentration via sugar refractometer (> 30% is good)
