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

Using the Strip Test

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One example of a water hardness strip test that has been used for this purpose is the Sofchek Test Strip. Once the above dilution has been accurately performed, simply dip one of these test strips into the diluted sample and Œswish¹ for 1-2 seconds to be sure the pad at the bottom of the strip is wet. Remove it, shake off the excess diluted milk sample from the tip and wait 15 seconds. Read it by comparing the color change to the side label of the Sofchek� container. The pad may or may not change color dependent upon the concentration of calcium carbonate (ppm) it contains. These strips tend to be useful to screen early changes, but do not respond accurately when the milk levels have greater than 120 ppm calcium carbonate. I therefore recommend using them up to this point (if desired) then switching to the FoalWatch� kit.

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from the desk of:

William B. Ley, DVM, MS

have questions?

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