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Equine Milk Test to Predict Foaling

Taken from: http://www.scottcreek.com/Milk_Test.htm
World Champion Miniature Horses

The great thing about using milk test strips is that they provide additional information to the person who is observing the expectant mare. Add this information together with other changes such as udder development, changes in milk color, viscosity to touch, mare behavior changes and milk test strips provide a valuable addition to the arsenal of information the observant broodmare manager uses to narrow down the mare's foaling time.

Obviously, the use of milk test strips is predicated on the ability to obtain small samples of milk from the mare periodically, prior to foaling. Once again, obtaining milk is somewhat individual based on the mare. Generally speaking, however, enough milk for testing (approx. 1 cc. per test) can be drawn from most mares. With miniature horses the exception is with maiden mares. Those mares that have not yet produced a foal usually do not produce milk until just (meaning hours) before the foal is born. We have had difficulty using milk test strips with maiden mares. We generally rely on the actual presence of a measurable amount of milk being produced by maiden mares as our indicator that foaling is imminent.

We use two types of tests to aid us in determining the mare's readiness to foal.  One is essentially a measurement of the quantity of calcium present in the mare's milk and the other is the pH of the milk.  When used together these two tests have been quite helpful as indicators to when a mare will foal.

OBTAINING TEST STRIPS

Obtaining the test strips has been somewhat difficult over the years based on different suppliers business status.  As of this writing Fisher Scientific Co. has the two strips that we use available for ordering by the general public.  The strips can be ordered directly over the internet by going to http://www.fishersci.com  You will need to create a username and password to access the catalog information, however this takes very little time.

The two strips we order are as follows:

Catalog No. M100251,  EM Quant Test Strip - Total Hardness (40-230 ppm)  These come packaged 100 strips to a vial and need to be refrigerated to maintain their shelf life

Catalog No. 0987620,  Whatman Type CS Test Strips (pH Range 6.0 - 8.1),  Whatman number 2629-990.  These come 200 strips to the package.  Make sure you keep these strips in a sealed container such as a plastic bag and away from any chemicals or fumes that may effect their measurement.

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES

The additional supplies you will need are:

1. Distilled Water
2. Small Collection vial for taking milk from mare (we use clean
prescription pill bottle)
3. Test tube for putting the milk and distilled water into
4. Two syringes for accurately measuring the water and milk. (we use a 1ml insulin syringe for measuring the milk and a 6ml syringe for measuring the distilled water.

A.  The procedure is quite simple. Obtain a small amount of milk from the mare by stripping it from one of her nipples. Usually you can be successful by gently squeezing slightly above the nipple then drawing your fingers down toward the tip of the nipple. You should collect at least 1 ml because that is what is needed for the test. Usually you can get a couple of mls.

B.  Measure accurately 6ml of distilled water using one of the syringes and put this into the test tube.

C.  Accurately measure 1ml of the mare's milk using the other syringe and deposit it into the test tube.

C.  Shake the test tube vigorously to mix the milk and distilled water.

D.  To test for the
CALCIUM content in the mare's milk, use the EM Quant strip that has 4 green spots on it.

E.  Take a test strip and completely immerse the colored patches in the test tube for 2 seconds.

F.  Remove the strip and give it a shake to remove any excess liquid.

G.  Read the color changes in the 4 patches after waiting 1 minute.

Keep in mind that the trick in using these is the interpretation of color change and putting this information with other signs that your mare is giving you such as bag fullness, milk consistency and color, tail laxity, and past foaling history if you know it.

Each mare is different and all do not go by the rule of thumb. Knowing that I will give you the general trend that we have seen with our miniature horses. If three of the patches turn from green to purple within the minute and the 4th shows very little sign of change chances are that the mare isn't quite ready. If three change color and the 4th turns 1/2 way from green to purple, we start watching her pretty closely however it doesn't necessarily mean that she will foal in the next day either. If all 4 patches turn color in less than one minute chances are that the mare will foal within the day.

Use the same milk/distilled water solution to test the pH level of the mare's milk.   Use the Whatman strip for this test.  Immerse the strip into the fluid as above to completely cover all of the indicator bands.  This test can be read more or less immediately.

The general trend is that a mare's milk will test above pH 7 for a period of time before foaling and as she approaches foaling the pH level will drop.   When the milk is pH 7.0 or below she is getting close to foaling.  Most of our mares foal within a matter of hours to a day when the pH level goes to 6.8 or below.

When combining the results of the Calcium and pH tests they give you another indicator as to the mare's readiness to foal.

We check our mares every evening. With the preponderance of mares foaling at night we get the most current information by testing in this manner. I can't emphasize enough, however, that milk test strips are not the end all for predicting foaling. We use them to provide us with one more bit of information to put with all of the other observations we are making of the mare.

The best tool still remains the hardest to follow through with.  That is CONSTANT AND UN-RELENTING VIGILANCE WITH ATTENDANCE  AT EACH FOALING. If you can endure this difficult requirement and utilize the various tools such as milk test strips to inform your self, the odds are increased for a favorable outcome for your mare, the new foal, and yourself.

Equine Milk Test #2

Equipment:  
1. Distilled Water
2. Small Collection vial for taking milk from mare (we use clean prescription pill bottle)
3. Test tube for putting the milk and distilled water into
4. 2 syringes for accurately measuring the water and milk. (use a 1ml insulin syringe for measuring the milk and a 6ml syringe for measuring the distilled water.

5. Sofchek Milk Strips can be purchased at: 

http://www.lambertshomeservices.com/sofchek_milk_strips.html

 http://www.kee-port.com/milkstrips 

SOFCHEK MILK TEST STRIPS

The use of ION test strips to predict parturition was brought to the forefront in 1984 by British researchers. Since this practical melhod or calculating calcium and magnesium percentage in mares' milk was introduced, brcedcrs have had the opportunity to reduce "sitting-up" time during the foaling season.

SOFCHEK, a "dip and read" strip for water-hardness testing, was recently found to indicate calcium content in mares' prefoaling mammary secretions. The day of parturition can be anticipated by monitoring color changes throughout the strip's 5 zones.

The SOFCHEK strips were first tested in induction studies at Fern Leigh Equine Research Facility. Beginning 2 to 3 weeks before expected parturition strips were dipped daily into 1 ml samples of mammary secretions from 24 mares. By comparing each strip to the color-coded chart on the package label, calcium content could be determined when the strip's fourth color matched. A total of 85 percent of the mares foalcd within 36 hours or less. A company spokesman advises that while no technical background is needed, precise readings of the strip are important to predict parturition accurately. 50 strips per package.

HorseCarts.com e-Store
SOFCHECK MILK PREDICTION STRIPS - pkg. of 50   $24.00
 


Procedure:
The procedure is quite simple. Obtain a small amount of milk from the mare by stripping it from one of her nipples. Usually you can be successful by gently squeezing slightly above the nipple then drawing your fingers down toward the tip of the nipple. You should collect at least 1 ml because that is what is needed for the test. Usually you can get a couple of mls.

Measure accurately 6ml of distilled water using one of the syringes and put this into the test tube.

Accurately measure 1ml of the mare's milk using the other syringe and deposit it into the test tube.

Shake the test tube vigorously to mix the milk and distilled water.

To test for the calcium content in the mare's milk, use the SofChek strip that has 1 green spot on it.

Take a test strip and completely immerse the colored patch in the test tube for 2 seconds.

Remove the strip and give it a shake to remove any excess liquid.

Read the color change in the patch after waiting 1 minute.

Keep in mind that the trick in using these is the interpretation of color change and putting this information with other signs that your mare is giving you such as bag fullness, milk consistency and color, tail laxity, and past foaling history if you know it.

Each mare is different and all do not go by the rule of thumb.  If the patch turns from green    (0 ppm) to Brown (25-50ppm) within the minute chances are that the mare isn't quite ready. If  the patch turns from green (0 ppm) to Rust (120-250ppm) within the minute start watching her pretty closely however it doesn't necessarily mean that she will foal in the next day either. If the patch turns from green (0 ppm) to Orangey (425ppm) within the minute chances are that the mare will foal within the day.


(RESULTS MAY VARY) THESE STRIPS WERE DESIGNED FOR USE WITH WATER, H, THESE ARE THE OPINIONS AND DIRECTIONS OF PERSONS WHOM HAVE USED THEM FOR FOALING PURPOSES, THEY ARE NOT OUR OPINIONS.  THIS INFORMATION WAS FOUND ON THE INTERNET AND WE ARE PASSING ALONG THE INFORMATION WE HAVE FOUND DUE TO REQUEST OF OUR CUSTOMERS.
http://www.diywatertesting.com/additional_supplies_you_will_need.htm
 



 

Equine Milk Test #3
Compliments of: Penny Steward, Siesta Quarter Horses, Dallas, Oregon

Equipment:  

What you need is Water Hardness test strips that are used to check well water. In our area they are available from Nurenberg Scientific Supply in Portland for about $40 for 100 strips. They can be ordered by phone at (503) 246-8297, and they will ship them out quickly. This outfit is a scientific supply house where my husband gets class materials for his high school biology classes ... I had to track them down, and that was the biggest challenge. Then you go to Payless and get a gallon of Distilled water for 99 cents ... that is the other "magic ingredient."

The other equipment you need is little plastic disposable cups, a clean (not sterile) 3cc and 6 cc syringe.

Procedure:

Milk the mare into one cup (you only need 1 cc -- a few squirts)

Measure 6 cc of distilled water into a second cup.

In the small syringe, draw up 1 cc of milk and squirt it into the cup of water. FLUSH the syringe in the distilled water at least once. This is such a small sample that it can affect the test if you leave milk in the syringe.

Dip the strip, which which has four color blocks on it, and time exactly 1 minute and read the results.

Analysis:

1-2 blocks changed -- give the old girl a pat and go to bed. You are a long way from foaling. The milk will be clear sticky fluid or slightly cloudy, and probably hard to get. Test every other day.

3 blocks changed -- At this point, the mare may look like she is ready, but not tonight. Check the mare before you go to bed if it makes you feel better, but it is highly unlikely that anything will happen. The milk will be cloudy, and may almost be white. Test every day, same time each day.

3 blocks change right away, 4th changing if strip is left out after 1 minute -- Not yet. Continue as above...

4 blocks changed WITHIN 60 SECONDS -- Put on the coffee pot, get out a good book and get your foaling kit, vet phone #, etc., in order. You are within 48 hours of foaling, probably closer to 24 hrs or less. The milk may be white (in which case you probably don't need to test, but I do anyway).

Cautions:

Measure precisely. The sample dilution is critical. Use the syringes, and flush the milk as mentioned above.

Test at room temperature. In a really cold barn, the speed with which the chemical reaction occurs can be slowed up.

Keep the test strips in the frig, per the manufacturers directions. They can be used from one year to the next, but keep them sealed and refrigerated.

Keep the distilled water clean. Pour some out of the gallon into a smaller bottle for use, and close up the rest. When foaling season is over, use the left-over in your coffee pot for a really GOOD cup of coffee...

Observations:

This test has saved me many nights in the barn, especially once I figured out that the 3-going-to-4 reading isn't valid. I have had several friends and others try this, and it has worked for most of them (some who didn't measure precisely, were in very cold areas, and in one case got old strips got false lows. Another person used boiled water, which was sterile, but not distilled. She got a false 4 on a mare barely bagged -- which told her she had chemicals in the well water). However, I have used it for about 5 years, and NEVER had it fail me. I have had many mares (about 1/3) who didn't read the "Thou shalt wax" chapter in the foaling manual, and maiden mares are likely to do anything they darn well please.

In only one case have I heard of the test going to 4 and the mare not foaling within the 48 hours. However, we all know mares can decide to hold on if something doesn't suit them, including weather, environment, etc. I had one mare hold off a night because I put a newcomer in the stall next to her, and the newcomer could look into her stall. I covered the wall with a blanket, and she went ahead and foaled.

This isn't voodoo -- the test detects a rise in magnesium and calcium that occurs in the milk just prior to foaling. My vet had me give him the directions and he has passed this along to many of his other clients, with excellent results.

Good luck, everyone.

Penny Steward
http://www.premierpub.com/articles/milktest.htm

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