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  Discussion on Estrone Sulphate Testing
Author Message
New Member:
knic210

Posted on Thursday, May 14, 2009 - 10:52 pm:

Hi everyone,

I've searched this and many other websites for information reguarding the estrone sulphate test for mares. Even after reading information on this (wonderful!) site, I am still a bit confused.

I had my mare tested 2 weeks ago, my vet sent the blood sample to UC Davis. A week later, I got the results by phone. Vet says my mare is not pregnant according to the test.

My mare is only 2 years old and would have been bred BEFORE I bought her, so getting a negative result was a great thing.

However, she still looks and acts pregnant.

Can someone please explain the test to me. I really need information on how to determine and understand the numbers.

I don't know what unit they used to measure the number, because I got the results over the phone.

My vet said up to 6 is normal for a mare, and my mares level was 6.9 but that does not indicate pregnancy at her stage. She would be a minimum of 240 days.

Someone, please help! I really still have a feeling that my filly is pregnant, and due to her age, if she is pregnant, I absolutely need to be prepared.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 15, 2009 - 8:16 am:

Welcome Kim,
Assuming the lab uses the same units that are in the article it is quite clear that your mare is well below the level seen in pregnant mares. But I would not look on any test as being 100%, though this one is pretty good. If you still feel there is a pregnancy you should try to confirm it through another technique. Several are described in the article.
DrO
New Member:
knic210

Posted on Friday, May 15, 2009 - 6:23 pm:

Thank you for responding DrO. I have used 3 wee-foal tests, 2 returning clear positives and 1 returning a negative result.
Dr. Henderson the creator of wee-foal has offered to let me send him a urine sample and he will test it. I plan on doing this if I can not get a conclusive answer before then. My vet, who self admitted he is inexperienced in palpation, palpated her anyways but still gave me the "I'm not sure" answer.

She definitely has the shape of a pregnant mare, as well as obvious movement although to my inexperienced eye this could be digestive(I have a video I can post), occasional edema and a
protruding navel. She has also never showed signs of heat while I've owned her in the last 8 months.

I will post pictures of her when I get home from work tonight.

What is your opinion at this point?

Thank you in advance.

-Kim
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 16, 2009 - 8:56 am:

I do not know anything about the wee-foal test you are running but neither the estrone sulfate test nor your veterinarian have found evidence of pregnancy and physical appearances can be misleading. How far along was the mare when your vet palpated her?
DrO
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