Manage your Colostrum with ease!  

Product Specs:

* 0.0-32.0% BIG PRINT Brix Scale - Easy to read! 
* Colostrum Levels: Poor, Fair, Good and Very Good
* Accurate to +/- 0.20% Brix
* Scale Divisions: 0.20%
* Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) Range 50-86'F (10-30'C)
* Sturdy PROFESSIONAL design, made of durable machined Aluminum 

Included are: A storage box, a plastic transfer pipette for dropping test fluids onto the prism (never dip the refractometer into the test fluid!), a mini screwdriver for scale calibration, alcohol wipes, microfiber wiping cloth and a User's Guide.    

10 YEAR WARRANTY against defects due to its insane quality construction!

COLOSTRUM MANAGEMENT AND USAGE:

Colostrum is the thick, sticky yellow fluid produced by the mammary gland of the mare during the last few weeks of pregnancy. It is comprised of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and electrolytes.  Colostrum is rich in antibodies or immunoglobulins that are critically important for immune protection of the newborn foal.  The process by which foals acquire antibodies from the colostrum of their dam is called passive transfer of immunity.

The epitheliochorial-type placenta of the horse prevents in utero transfer of antibodies from the mare to the fetus. As a consequence, foals are born without any antibody protection. The newborn foal is thus entirely dependent on antibodies from colostrum for protection against infection during the early neonatal period.

Successful passive transfer of antibodies from the mare to her foal depends on many factors, including quality and quantity of colostrum, timing of the ingestion of colostrum, health status of the foal, and absorption of antibodies by the small intestine. Assessment of colostrum quality evaluates only one component of the passive transfer process.

However, if it can be determined that the quality of the colostrum produced by a mare is inadequate, the foal can be supplemented with additional frozen -thawed colostrum of good quality or with an oral colostrum substitute containing equine antibodies.

Refractometer evaluation of colostrum is also valuable in determining the quality of colostrum to be harvested and stored in a colostrum bank. Owners and farm managers are strongly encouraged to maintain a supply of equine colostrum frozen at - 20 C.  A total of 250 to 500 mls of colostrum may be safely harvested from postpartum mares without adversely affecting passive transfer to their own foals. The best colostrum donors are healthy mares that have had one or more foals previously and that have been vaccinated 4-6 weeks prior to foaling.  Ideally, the colostrum should have a refractometer score of 25 % or higher and be tested for the presence of anti-RBC antibodies, to prevent the possibility of neonatal isoerythrolysis or jaundice foal syndrome.  Frozen colostrum can be safely stored for up to 1-2 years. Please consult with your veterinarian regarding testing, banking and usage of frozen colostrum.

References:

     1. Cash RSG.  Colostral quality determined by refractometry.
         Equine Veterinary Education 1999;11:36-38.

     2. Chavatte P, Clement F, Cash R, Grongnet J-F. Field
         determination of colostrum quality by using a novel, practical
         method. Proceedings of the American Association of Equine
         Practitioners Annual Conference 1998;44:206-209.

     3. Knottenbelt DC, Holdstock N, Madigan JE. Equine
         Neonatology Medicine and Surgery. Saunders, Edinburg,
         pp 393-394.

National Industrial Supply
30777 Rancho California #891420
Temecula, CA 92589, USA
Sales: 310.748.6858  -  Fax: 310.733.5480  -  E-mail: nisupply@gmail.com  -  Website: www.nisupply.com