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Marilyn Lemke - Dora due 7/31/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Marilyn_l
Post Number: 578
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 07:46 am: | 
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My mare's last foal did not have the proper amount of colostrum after testing him and we had to IV him.
My mare had dripped and had streams of milk running the whole day before giving birth. My question is, is it likely the same thing will happen this time? If so, would it be a good idea to purchase colostrum and give it to the foal before he drinks from the mom? I know some people milk the mare to get the colostrum, but how do know if you milked her before the colostrum ran out and now it's just regular milk?
Where can you purchase quality colostrum? I heard there's good and not so good places to purchase colostrum.
I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas. I appreciate any and all help.
Thanks in advance, Marilyn |
Jan Owen
Breeding Stock
Username: 1frosty1
Post Number: 935
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 10:37 am: |
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Hi Marilyn,
My friends mare had the same problem. She would collect the mares own milk when it was streaming and freeze it. She did not "milk" her on purpose just when it hit the streaming stage she would catch that. Every pregnancy/delivery is different so maybe Dora will surprise you and not loose the good stuff  |
Tracy Smith, Tali due 6/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Tracys
Post Number: 415
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 12:13 pm: |
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Marilyn, my last foal also did not get enough colostrum and needed a plasma transfusion, my mare also streamed milk for about 12-24 hours before she delivered. She had 2 other foals previously and streamed milk with them also but both foals were fine in the colostrum department. The last foal that needed the plasma did not get up and nurse right away, I had to help her and it took HOURS for her to figure out the whole nursing thing so maybe that's why the good stuff ran out by then? I probably was not helpful in any way but I guess I just wanted you to know it may not happen with her next foal. |
Marilyn Lemke - Dora due 7/31/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Marilyn_l
Post Number: 579
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 04:35 pm: |
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Thank you for your responses. Can you check to see if milk has colostrum in it? Is there a test or something? |
charlene birdsall, Baby due 4/2/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Charlie67
Post Number: 193
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 10:29 pm: |
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Hi Marilyn, I think how you tell the difference between milk and colostrum is the color. According to all the books I've been reading, Colostrum is that clearish, yellowish liquid that you can express before the milk comes in, but I could be wrong. I've thought about getting that udderly EZ mare milker for this reason or if my mare, (hopefully not) won't let her foal nurse. One of my foaling books, ( From Breeding to Weaning) has the number for a colostrum bank from Kentucky. It says that anyone, anywhere in the country, may use the colostrum bank. The cost is $100 a pint plus shipping by overnight express. The number is (606) 255-8741. Hopefully you won't need to use it. |
charlene birdsall, Baby due 4/2/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Charlie67
Post Number: 196
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 11:59 pm: |
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Hey Marilyn, I found this link that answers a lot of questions about colostrum. http://www.ktfmc.org/aboutus/colostrum_brochure.cfm |
Jenni Luttrell
Breeding Stock
Username: Bugrace2000
Post Number: 407
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 01:52 am: |
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I seen an article somewhere where a lg syringe is used as a mare breast pump. you cut off the end the needle goes on an insert the plunger thruogh the cut end. place it on the teat and start pumping. |
Marilyn Lemke - Dora due 7/31/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Marilyn_l
Post Number: 583
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 08:07 am: |
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I appreciate everyones advise and sharing your knowledge with me. I had no idea about all these things you ladies are talking about. Goes to show you how wonderful this board is and how much information a person can get from all of you. I never heard of EZ mare milker. This might be something I would be interested in purchasing. Back on the internet... LOL!
Thank you Tracy. It's good to know every pregnancy is not the same and it's possible Dora will have colostrum for her foal. I still will worry since there's no way of telling for sure.
The last time Dora gave birth, my vet didn't come out to check my mare and foal for 3 days. He said he was very busy. I was upset about that. He tested the baby and found the foal was deficient, which made me even more upset. A lot of lost time. The foal could have died in that amount of time. By the time the foal got the tranfusion, it was 5 days old. That's why I'm so nervous about the foal getting colostrum.
I have time today, so I'm going to check out the web site Charlene. Mike (my husband) has a bad cold, so we won't be making the 200 mile trip to see our families for Christmas. I'm very bummed about that, but we don't have much choice.
Charlene, thanks for the phone number for the colostrum bank. I'm going to call and get more information.
Jan, I was thinking I would also catch the milk when it was streaming, but last time she was pregnant she was streaming all night, so there's a chance she lost all the colostrum during the night. In the morning when we fed, her leg was drenched with milk. Charlene said colostrum was more of a clear color than a white color, so I guess that would tell me if it's milk or colostrum. But to be on the safe side, I think I'm going to purchase some and have it in the freezer. I would feel more at ease, knowing the foal will get it one way or another.
Can a foal get too much colostrum? |
Jenni Luttrell
Breeding Stock
Username: Bugrace2000
Post Number: 410
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 12:39 pm: |
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No a foal cannot get to much colostrum. Colostrum is thick clearish to yellow almost resembles honey. when the milk comes in with it the milk will be yellowish until all the colostrum is gone then itll be white & thin like real milk |
Marilyn Lemke - Dora due 7/31/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Marilyn_l
Post Number: 589
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 01:06 pm: |
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Thanks Jenni, then what I saw on Dora's leg was colostrum. It was very thick and sticky looking.
It looked like honey. |
charlene birdsall, Baby due 4/2/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Charlie67
Post Number: 197
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 06:33 pm: |
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Your welcome Marilyn, this lady I bought my daughter's mini from said she can always tell when her mini's will foal by how sticky the (stuff) is that she expresses from the mares teats. Marilyn, when you call that colostrum bank tell them about your problem with your mare leaking colostrum and ask what they suggest. I'll bet they will give you some good information. Let me know what you find out. Sorry to hear you won't be able to spend the Holidays with your family. Merry Christmas!
Jenni, I read the very same thing in another foaling book I have called "From foal to full grown", but I think I'd rather use the Udderly e-z mare milker. |
Jenni Luttrell
Breeding Stock
Username: Bugrace2000
Post Number: 414
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 06:52 pm: |
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oh ps Ideally a foal will get nothing but colostrum @ a rate of 1-2 pints every 4 hours for the first 2 days of life. This is the min. amount for proper growth. Also colostrum is a wonderful suppliment for sick horses of all ages. |
Marilyn Lemke - Dora due 7/31/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Marilyn_l
Post Number: 599
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 08:11 pm: |
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Jenni, does that mean I would have to buy many pints of colostrum in order for the foal to get the proper amount? |
Jenni Luttrell
Breeding Stock
Username: Bugrace2000
Post Number: 417
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 08:20 pm: |
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If momma doesnt have ANY yes you will. What I would do is buy about a days worth of pints of the really good stuff then buy the cheaper stuff for day two. Make sure to milk momma so she dont start to dry up. Maybe talk to a vet about letting the baby nurse momma in place of a few bottles. |
Marilyn Lemke - Dora due 7/31/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Marilyn_l
Post Number: 601
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 08:24 pm: |
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Thank you very much Jenni, I had no idea. |
Jenni Luttrell
Breeding Stock
Username: Bugrace2000
Post Number: 419
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 08:36 pm: |
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Your very welcome the first few hours are the most critical to avoid needing a transfusion. day two is mostly for proper growth. Inadequit nutrition or lack of colostrum can cause large joints, stunted growth, &/or overal poor health. On the same note an overabundance of certain supplements can be just as harmful or worse. |
Marilyn Lemke - Dora due 7/31/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Marilyn_l
Post Number: 603
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 09:43 pm: |
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I was on the internet and saw a product called Stop a Leak in the Exodus Breeders Corp website. It says it will keep colostrum from leaking out. It's only $7.95 for 1.75 oz bottle.
Has anyone heard of this or used this? |
charlene birdsall, Baby due 4/2/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Charlie67
Post Number: 199
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 10:34 pm: |
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I've never heard of that product, but can you post a link for this website? |
Marilyn Lemke - Dora due 7/31/08
Breeding Stock
Username: Marilyn_l
Post Number: 605
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 10:57 pm: |
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It's on www.exodusbreeders.com |
Jenni Luttrell
Breeding Stock
Username: Bugrace2000
Post Number: 427
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 11:16 pm: |
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I have never heard of it either but its definately cheap enough to give it a shot. Let us know if you use it and how it works |
