USE OF THE FOALWATCH AND SOFCHEK TESTS FOR EVALUATION OF PRE-FOALING MILK CALCIUM CONTENT AND THE APPROACHING READINESS FOR BIRTH IN THE MARE.

William B. Ley

Interpretation of Results

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In mares that have been evaluated by the FoalWatch test, there was a 54% probability that foaling would occur within 24 hours when the pre-foaling mammary secretion calcium first meets or exceeds 200 ppm. There was an 84% probability that foaling would occur within 48 hours when pre-foaling mammary secretion calcium first meets or exceeds 200 ppm, and a 98% probability that foaling would occur within 72 hours when pre-foaling mammary secretion calcium first meets or exceeds 200 ppm. The majority of mares foal within a short period of time when a value of 300 to 500 ppm is obtained. But not all mares can be expected to reach these higher values. For mares that had not yet reached or exceeded 200 ppm, there was a 98% probability that foaling would not occur within the next 24 hour period.
Note Well:

The FoalWatch test does not claim to be 100% accurate in all mares. As with any biological system, exceptions are encountered, and no test can be expected to provide completely accurate and reliable results all of the time, in all situations. This is an aid to your foaling management program, and is not intended to guarantee a successful outcome in all mares.

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from the desk of:

William B. Ley, DVM, MS

have questions?

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