When Do Foals Need Colostrum?

The foal's small intestine is capable of absorbing colostrum for up to 24 hours, but the efficiency of absorption decreases with each hour. Optimal absorption occurs during the first 2-6 hours of life, particularly if colostrum is the first liquid consumed. If a foal doesn't drink anything, the gut stays “open” longer. When the gut is "open," the foal may be more vulnerable to invasive enteric pathogens. Even if a foal is past 24 hrs old, there are still local benefits from the IgA in any colostrum ingested.

**Remember:

-Premature and dysmature foals may not absorb colostral antibodies efficiently.

-Every foal's serum IgG should be checked between 12-18 hours of age! (Optimal absorption of maternal

antibodies will be reflected in a foal serum IgG level of >800mg/dl).

If a foal does not receive adequate colostrum, failure of passive transfer (FPT) occurs. The serum IgG level in a foal with FPT is <800 mg/dl. FPT results in reduced ability to fight off infections and is a leading cause of neonatal death. Maternal origins of FPT include rejection of the foal by the dam, leaking of colostrum from the teat prior to parturition, twin births, premature foaling, insufficient colostrum production, insufficient antibody content of colostrum, and death of the dam. Foal origins of FPT include the inability to suckle and malabsorption of the colostrum once consumed.

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The National Colostrum Network was founded at the

University of Minnesota-College of Veterinary Medicine.