Very Common
Less Common
Rare
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Milk is Yellow or Chunky when Stripped out of Teat
Summary
This observation usually pertains to a mare with a suckling foal.
A mare's first milk (colostrum) has a thick sticky consistency and is tan to pale yellow in color. The foal usually ingests all of this colostrum in the first hours of life. After that, a mare's milk is white.
It is abnormal for a mare's milk to appear yellow or chunky after about 24 hours, when all of the colostrum should have been ingested by the foal. This appearance of the milk may be a sign of infection.
Although infection is rare in nursing mares with a healthy foal and constant flow of milk, mares with ill foals that are not nursing are at risk for infection of the udder (mastitis).
A mare's first milk (colostrum) has a thick sticky consistency and is tan to pale yellow in color. The foal usually ingests all of this colostrum in the first hours of life. After that, a mare's milk is white.
It is abnormal for a mare's milk to appear yellow or chunky after about 24 hours, when all of the colostrum should have been ingested by the foal. This appearance of the milk may be a sign of infection.
Although infection is rare in nursing mares with a healthy foal and constant flow of milk, mares with ill foals that are not nursing are at risk for infection of the udder (mastitis).
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours
your role
What To Do
Evaluate your mare's general heath with the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to rectal temperature, general attitude and appetite, and whether the foal is nursing both teats and whether they appear swollen or full.Carefully compare the appearance of the teats. Strip a small amount of the milk into your palm and note color and consistency. Share your findings and concerns with your vet.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet analyzes the mare's general health, that of the foal, the appearance of the udder and of the milk. Laboratory analysis may be necessary to determine whether or not there is infection (mastitis).
Once those things are done, a diagnosis can usually be made and appropriate treatment chosen.
Once those things are done, a diagnosis can usually be made and appropriate treatment chosen.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does the mare appear normal otherwise?
- How is the mare's attitude & appetite?
- Is the foal active and nursing?
- Does the udder appear enlarged?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health