{"id":6995,"date":"2026-10-21T18:36:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T18:36:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plasvacc.com\/?p=6995"},"modified":"2026-10-22T18:48:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T18:48:33","slug":"why-early-immunity-matters-in-newborn-foals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plasvacc.com\/au\/why-early-immunity-matters-in-newborn-foals\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Early Immunity Matters in Newborn Foals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The first 24 hours of a foal\u2019s life are an important period of transition. After birth, a foal must stand, nurse, regulate its body temperature, bond with the mare, and begin developing the immune protection it needs for a healthy start.<\/p>\n<p>For many foals, this process unfolds naturally. However, some may not receive or absorb enough antibodies from the mare\u2019s colostrum during this early window. This is known as <a href=\"https:\/\/plasvacc.com\/au\/what-is-failure-of-passive-transfer-in-foals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Failure of Passive Transfer<\/a>, or FPT, and it is an important consideration for breeders, horse owners, and veterinarians during foaling season.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding how passive immunity works, when to assess it, and what support is available can help ensure newborn foals receive the care they need in their earliest days.<\/p>\n<h4>Why the First 24 Hours Matter<\/h4>\n<p>Foals are born without maternal antibodies. Because of the structure of the equine placenta, mares cannot pass immunity to the foal before birth. Instead, protection must come through colostrum, the antibody-rich first milk produced in the final weeks of pregnancy.<\/p>\n<p>Colostrum contains immunoglobulins, primarily IgG, which help protect the foal during its most vulnerable stage of life. The foal\u2019s ability to absorb these antibodies is strongest during the first 6 to 8 hours after birth and declines steadily from there. By 24 hours, the window for antibody absorption has effectively closed.<\/p>\n<p>This makes early nursing a key part of newborn foal care. It is not only a sign that the foal is active and bonding well with the mare, but also an essential step in establishing early immune protection.<\/p>\n<h4>When Passive Transfer Is Incomplete<\/h4>\n<p>Failure of Passive Transfer can occur for several reasons, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Poor-quality or insufficient colostrum<\/li>\n<li>Loss of colostrum before foaling<\/li>\n<li>Delayed nursing or maternal rejection<\/li>\n<li>Foal weakness, injury, or prematurity<\/li>\n<li>Failure to absorb antibodies despite nursing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>One of the challenges with FPT is that it may not be immediately obvious. A foal can appear bright and active while still lacking adequate circulating antibodies.<\/p>\n<p>IgG levels below 400 mg\/dl at 24 hours indicate Failure of Passive Transfer, while levels between 400 and 800 mg\/dl indicate partial Failure of Passive Transfer. In either case, the foal may be more vulnerable to infection and may require veterinary support.<\/p>\n<h4>Why Early Assessment Is Important<\/h4>\n<p>Foals with inadequate passive immunity are at higher risk of conditions such as septicemia, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and joint infections. These illnesses can require intensive veterinary care and may affect the foal\u2019s growth and development.<\/p>\n<p>Because FPT can be difficult to identify through observation alone, veterinary assessment is recommended within the first 12 to 24 hours after birth. An IgG test can help determine whether passive transfer has been successful and whether further treatment is needed.<\/p>\n<p>Breeders and owners should also monitor the foal\u2019s nursing behaviour, energy level, hydration, temperature regulation, and umbilical health. These observations, combined with veterinary guidance, provide a clearer picture of how well the foal is adapting after birth.<\/p>\n<h4>How Equiplas\u00ae Supports Foals When Needed<\/h4>\n<p>When passive transfer is incomplete, plasma therapy can provide immune support that colostrum did not deliver.<\/p>\n<p>Plasvacc\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/plasvacc.com\/au\/equine\/equiplas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Equiplas\u00ae<\/a> equine plasma is used by veterinarians across Australia, New Zealand, and internationally to support foals experiencing complete or partial Failure of Passive Transfer. Rich in gamma globulins, Equiplas\u00ae helps raise antibody levels quickly and safely by delivering concentrated immune support directly into the bloodstream.<\/p>\n<p>Equiplas\u00ae is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>APVMA and NZFSA registered<\/li>\n<li>Typically administered in 1\u20132 litre doses, depending on veterinary assessment<\/li>\n<li>Used to support foals with FPT, partial FPT, and immune challenges associated with illness or infection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For breeders and horse owners preparing for foaling season, access to timely veterinary care and appropriate plasma support can make a meaningful difference when early immunity is in question.<\/p>\n<h4>Supporting a Healthy Start<\/h4>\n<p>Failure of Passive Transfer cannot always be predicted, but it can be identified and treated. Early nursing, timely veterinary assessment, IgG testing, and appropriate intervention can all help reduce the risk of illness during a foal\u2019s first days of life.<\/p>\n<p>For anyone caring for newborn foals, the goal is simple: support the mare, observe the foal closely, and act early when additional care is needed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first 24 hours of a foal\u2019s life are an important period of transition. After birth, a foal must stand, nurse, regulate its body temperature, bond with the mare, and begin developing the immune protection it needs for a healthy start. For many foals, this process unfolds naturally. However, some may not receive or absorb enough antibodies from the mare\u2019s &#8230; <\/p>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/plasvacc.com\/au\/why-early-immunity-matters-in-newborn-foals\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7026,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-plasvacc-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Early Immunity Matters in Newborn Foals - Plasvacc AUS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/plasvacc.com\/au\/why-early-immunity-matters-in-newborn-foals\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Early Immunity Matters in Newborn Foals - Plasvacc AUS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The first 24 hours of a foal\u2019s life are an important period of transition. After birth, a foal must stand, nurse, regulate its body temperature, bond with the mare, and begin developing the immune protection it needs for a healthy start. For many foals, this process unfolds naturally. However, some may not receive or absorb enough antibodies from the mare\u2019s ... 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