FoalWatch K-1700
$46.78
The FoalWatch system is based on proven chemistry, so you can rest easier at night. The test measures the concentration of calcium in the mare’s colostrum. The calcium level rises sharply before birth. Simply begin testing once or twice a day about 2 weeks before the mare’s expected foaling date. When the calcium concentration consistently exceeds 200 parts per million (ppm), birth is imminent.
For more information, please read The Use of a Prefoaling Milk Calcium Test Kit in the Foaling Management of Mares by Dr. William B. Ley
Eliminates Nightly Foal Sitting
The FoalWatch system is based on proven chemistry, so you can rest easier at night. The test measures the concentration of calcium in the mare’s colostrum. The calcium level rises sharply before birth. Simply begin testing once or twice a day about 2 weeks before the mare’s expected foaling date. When the calcium concentration consistently exceeds 200 parts per million (ppm), birth is imminent.
Safe and Easy to Use
Use of FoalWatch kits require no specialized training. Allows safe and comfortable movement of mare prior to foaling.
Contains Everything you Need for Testing
FoalWatch kits comes complete with 20 Test Ampoules, test tube for collecting mare’s milk, bottle of distilled water, syringe, sample cup, and complete instructions.
FoalWatch Kit contains everything you need for testing.
Kit comes complete with:
- 20 Test ampoules
- Test tube for collecting mare’s milk
- Bottle of distilled water
- Syringe
- Sample cup
- Complete instructions
Sampling and testing should begin 10-14 days before the mare’s expected foaling date (335-340 days from her last breeding date). If the breeding date is unknown, begin when udders become enlarged. Run FoalWatch once a day until the calcium level consistently exceeds 100 ppm.
Begin testing twice daily (morning and late afternoon or evening) when the calcium concentration first exceeds 125 ppm. When the calcium level first reaches 200 ppm, about 50% of mares will foal within 24 hours. (Birth within 24 hours is very rare when calcium levels are below 200 ppm.)
Birth usually is very near when the mare’s calcium concentration reaches 300-500 ppm.
Easy Test Procedure
STEP 1: Using the syringe, dispense 1.5 ml of the mare’s mammary secretion into the 25 ml sample cup. Add 9 ml of distilled water. Then add one drop of indicator solution.
STEP 2: Snap the tip of the Titret ampoule at the score mark. Then immerse the Titret tip in the sample.
STEP 3: Draw a small amount of sample into the ampoule. Its contents will turn bright orange. Gently rock the ampoule back and forth.
STEP 4: Repeat Step 3 until a color change from orange to blue occurs. Then invert the ampoule and read the results in ppm directly from the scale on the ampoule.
Note: Sampling does not impair the supply of milk available to the foal at birth, nor does it reduce the antibodies the milk contains. This test kit is intended as a foaling aid only, and should not substitute for standard veterinary care.
Interferences or Complications
Mares exposed to fescue grass pastures contaminated by Acremonium coephenophialum, a fungus, during the last 60-90 days of gestation may fail to undergo normal udder development and fail to secrete colostrum.
Pre-foaling mammary secretion sampling does slightly increase the risk of infection to the mammary tissue, especially if the udder is not cleaned and dried prior to obtaining the sample.
The supplement domperidone can increase the calcium level of the mare’s milk, causing inflated test readings.
How to use the Test Ampoules for fast, simple, titration tests.
Each Test Ampoule contains a carefully measured quantity of titrant sealed under vacuum. The sealed tip is fitted with a miniature valve that is used to control the flow of sample fluid into the ampoule as the handler performs what is known as a “reverse titration.”
Sample fluids are drawn into the ampoule in small increments (with mixing) while the handler watches for a color change from red/orange to blue. When that change occurs, the ampoule is placed in an upright position and the test result is read opposite the location of the liquid level, using a scale printed on the side of the tube.
The entire process requires only a minute or two and avoids all the equipment hassle and clean-up associated with ordinary procedures.
Click HERE to download the Safety Data Sheet for FoalWatch.
WARNING! This product can expose you to chemicals including ethylene glycol, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.