Equine breeding season is upon us again. Gribbles Veterinary Pathology offers timing-specific options for your equine testing needs including pre-mating, pregnancy and post-foaling testing.
EQUINE PRE-MATING TESTING
For detection or exclusion of:
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Option 1: PCR – for a fast turnaround
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a fast, accurate and efficient testing method to detect pathogens. PCR offers a faster turnaround time and allows confidence to proceed with mating at that critical foal heat, or when time is short. PCR has increased sensitivity to rule out environmental flora that may otherwise interfere with accuracy.
Sample: 5 ml of blood in a plain tube
TAT: 5 business days upon arrival to the laboratory
* Test performed Monday to Friday. Samples submitted on Friday must reach the lab by 11 am. If received after 11 am swabs will be set up for culture.
Option 2: Culture – detects active infection and can provide sensitivities
Our highly experienced microbiologists can provide you with results that confirm the presence of live pathogens. Sensitivities provided with positive cultures allow veterinarians to select the most appropriate therapeutic antibiotics.
Sample: Uterine and / or clitoral swab
TAT: 24 hours (preliminary result) and 48 hours (final result) upon arrival to the laboratory. 24 – 72 hours if sensitivities are required.
Option 3: PCR and culture combined
Fast detection of active infection with suitable treatment options.
EQUINE PREGNANCY CONFIRMATION
Pregnancy Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) – Day 40 - 100
Serum PMSG is a specific test for pregnancy in mares. It is detectable in serum or plasma from 40 - 120 days of gestation with peak levels at 60 days. PMSG is produced by the endometrial cups.
Sample: 5 ml of blood in a plain tube
TAT: 5 business days upon arrival to the laboratory
Oestrone Sulphate – From Day 100
Oestrone sulphate is only produced by a combination of viable foetus and placenta, and therefore is the only pregnancy endocrine test that confirms the presence of a live foetus.
Oestrone sulphate can be detected from day 60, peaks at around day 150 then slowly declines towards parturition.
Sample: 5 ml of blood in a plain tube
TAT: 7 business days upon arrival to the laboratory
POST-FOALING TESTING
Foal IgG
Maternal colostral immunoglobulin transfer in combination with the foals immune system is a vital defense mechanism against infection in the post-natal period. Our quantitative Foal IgG test will give you an accurate indication as to whether adequate passive transfer of immunoglobulin has occurred during the crucial neonatal period.
Sample: 5 ml of blood in a plain or gel tube
TAT: 4 hours upon arrival to the laboratory
Serum Amyloid A (SAA)
Acute phase proteins increase with acute inflammation. SAA is a major acute phase protein in horses, whereas fibrinogen is a minor acute phase protein.
SAA is a sensitive marker of inflammation, rapidly increasing several hundred-fold during infectious and non-infectious inflammation, peaking 36-48 hours after injury.
SAA allows accurate real-time monitoring of inflammatory disease in the foal and response to therapeutic interventions.
Sample: 5 ml of blood in a plain or gel tube
TAT: 6 hours upon arrival to the laboratory.