Passive immunodeficiency in a half breed filly and its systemic collateral effects

Abstract

The inadequate colostrum consumption by foals at the moment of birth can be very harmful for the following hours of life, since it can place a high risk on the newborn´s life, as well as the development of a series of illness. A 33% of the deaths in foals up to 2 months of age are attributed to septic processes and only 26% of these foals survive, even when a correct and early diagnosis is performed. When the foal survives, it generally develops local infections such as pneumonias and polyarthritis, as it is the case in this report. These infections can be acquired intra or extra uterine, being the respiratory and the digestive systems the most common paths of infection, as a result of a deficient and poor passive immunity during the first hours after birth.