Management of the lactating mare Flashcards
What is mammogenesis?
When the mammary tissue prepares for lactation
When does mammogenesis occur?
late gestation
What stimulates mammogenesis?
progesterone and oestrogen
What is lactogenesis?
The initial milk production
When does lactogenesis occur?
2-4 weeks pre-partum
What stimulates lactogenesis?
reduced progesterone, increased prolactin, growth hormone, ICF
What is galactopoiesis?
the maintenance of milk production
What is the typical milk yield/day month 1-3 of lactation? (ponies & TBs)
Ponies - 5-8 lts
TBs - 10-18 lts
What stimulates galactopoiesis?
prolactin, growth hormone, cortisol
What is the milk ejection reflex?
Nerves in teat stimulated to trigger an afferent neural pathway - makes milk easily available to foal.
Explain the key differences between colostrum and mature milk (0-4 weeks)
Energy - higher in C
Protein - higher in C
Fat - higher in C
Lactose - higher in M
Solids - higher in C
How does mature milk composition change throughout the weeks of lactation (0-21).
decreasing energy, decreasing protein, decreasing fat, increased lactose, decreased solids, decreased minerals.
What should you feed the lactating mare immediately post-partum?
First feed - small bran mash/sugar beet/carrots and apples
Second feed - small bran mash/sugar beet/carrots etc. mixed with usual concentrate/compound feed
What is the recommended nutrition supply during the first three months of lactation?
Quality forage
Compound/concentrates
▪ Up to 35% of daily ration
▪ 12.5-14% protein
Avoid alfalfa
What is the recommended nutrition supply after 3 months of lactation?
Reduce levels of concentrates gradually
Increase forage
What care does the mare require post-partum? (immunisations, worming, foot care and dentition)
- Continue with regular footcare and dentition routine
- Worm according to FECs
- Continue flu and tetanus
- Gestation vaccinations cover post-partum, if back in foal vaccinate in gestation as before
List 3 clinical conditions associated with milk production?
- low milk yield
- agalactia
- mastitis
What are the clinical signs of low milk yield?
tucked up foal
what is the aetiology of low milk yield?
- Insufficient water intake
- Sore teats
- Reduced energy intake
- Low BCS
What are the clinical signs of agalactia?
- Absence of milk when expected
- Foal dull/malnourished and udder empty
- Secondary effects, foal starvation and immunocompromised if colostrum intake affected
what is the aetiology of agalactia?
- Poor nutrition and low BCS
- Premature parturition/abortion
- Physical or psychological stress (increase adrenaline, decrease oxytocin)
Fescue toxicosis
what are the clinical signs of mastitis?
- Hot, swollen, painful udder
- Ventral oedema and engorged mammary vein
- Clotted or stringy milk
- Mare depression, pyrexia or anorexia
what is the aetiology of mastitis?
- Steptococcus equi
- Escherichia coli
- Pseudomona spp.
