Pedigree Query

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... y-in-mares


Has anyone tried this test?
K

karenkarenn wrote:http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/60505/blood-test-to-detect-and-monitor-pregnancy-in-mares


Has anyone tried this test?
K

Why? An ultrasound can confirm pregnancy in 14 days. A MIP test has been around for years and can be performed in 30 days. Why would anyone want to wait 70 days to confirm pregnancy? By that time it would be too late to rebreed any way.

I can see how this test could be useful for a mare that was already confirmed as pregnant, but you aren't so sure about whether she is still carrying a foal.

Would I use it? Probably not. An ultrasound is pretty accurate, and most importantly it will show you the presence of twins.

As the article states it most likely would be used to determine if the foal was stressed and at risk. It's a $25 test. Anyone with a mare who has aborted previously might consider using this test.

a $25 test PLUS the farm visit unless you transport the horse to the VET.

griff

Griff
Is that your experience with the blood test?
K

Griff I'm surprised you don't do your own blood draws.

I'm comfortable yanking blood. I do this kind of thing - in the past have used Rocky Mountain Labs.

I think it would be prudent to make a call to IDAHO. But I haven't had the time
Karen

Madelyn,
Excellent! Drawing blood is a skill performed by a tech, big difference from a skill requiring a DVM license. Do you need a DVM to give the order to the lab or will the lab run specimens by self referral since it would be a cash pay?
This one little test might be something someone in your area could start a service with. The lab charges $25 to run each specimen. You don't need to be a vet to yank blood so you only provide this one service and maybe charge $10 to collect it and drop a batch off to be run and then email results after they are provided to you. You get clients by going to the farms in your area and speaking to mgrs. Anyone who had a mare that had previously aborted would not mind spending even $35 once a month so you get repeat business. The client doesn't have to pay for farm vet call and yet when a result it lower than normal they call the vet who starts treatment. Putting mares on regumate prophylactically is already done and is expensive. If you knew this test could save you $$$ in delaying treatment until is it needed you'd do it. Question is would one be happy making ~ $20 hr [30 minutes per mare?] find her, collect the specimen etc. It might take awhile to have several mares lined up at a farm and do them on the same day etc. I suspect the farms without a vet on staff might use this service. You would be performing the service, acting as a courier and communicating results. Those acts would require car, phone,computer,internet service provider and insurance......all good deductions. I assume the lab would provide all necessary specimen vials and materials as part of their $25 fee?

RML provides plastic vials, and want the blood frozen prior to shipment. Don't have to be a vet; send payment with the blood.