Researchers Confirm IgG Values for Predicting Foal Survival

Foals with IgG levels lower than 800 mg/dL are more likely to die than those with levels greater than 800 mg/dL.

Posted by Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc | May 4, 2015 | Article, Colostrum, Failure Of Passive Transfer, Foal Care, Veterinary Practice

Researchers Confirm IgG Values for Predicting Foal Survival

It’s foaling season again, which means it’s also time to watch newborns for signs of failure of passive transfer. This condition occurs when the foal does not ingest or absorb a sufficient quantity or quality of colostrum (the mare’s first milk), which results in a reduced ability to fight disease.

Foals are born without infection-fighting proteins called antibodies (or immunoglobulin G [IgG]) circulating in the blood stream. The mare’s colostrum contains these IgGs and other immunoglobulins to help protect foals from developing life-threatening infections. But how do you know if your foal has obtained enough IgG?

“Even th

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About The Author

Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc

Stacey Oke, MSc, DVM, is a practicing veterinarian and freelance medical writer and editor. She is interested in both large and small animals, as well as complementary and alternative medicine. Since 2005, she's worked as a research consultant for nutritional supplement companies, assisted physicians and veterinarians in publishing research articles and textbooks, and written for a number of educational magazines and websites.

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