Foal Sepsis & Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT)

Veterinary care required

This condition belongs in veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Compounds are at most supportive.

Priority · vet & management

Emergency of the newborn phase. The window for colostrum uptake is very short — the gut barrier closes within about the first 12 to 24 hours of life. The vet checks the antibody status (IgG test) in the first 12-24 hours and arranges care (colostrum/plasma, intensive treatment) in case of FPT or suspected sepsis.

Possible causes

• · too-late or too-low colostrum intake (FPT)
• · poor-quality colostrum / premature milk flow of the mare
• · weak or sick foals (e.g. after dystocia)
• · placentitis / prenatal infection
• · germ entry via the navel

Supportive compounds · supplementary feed, not medication

Prevention

Early, sufficient first drinking of colostrum, hygiene and navel care as well as a veterinary IgG check in the first hours of life are the decisive precautionary measures.

Equiterna's take

Equiterna emphasises the very short time window of colostrum intake — the initial care (colostrum, IgG test, plasma if needed) is veterinary and time-critical; compounds replace neither colostrum nor veterinary care.