The Microbiologist listened, getting increasingly confused. The speaker was saying that the newborn needed to drink its mother’s colostrum milk otherwise it wouldn’t have ANY antibodies. But this didn’t make sense to the Microbiologist; transfer of antibodies to the fetus via the placenta is a fundamental aspect of the immune protection a mother can give her newborn baby. We even rely on transfer by immunising in pregnancy for pertussis (whooping cough) and Covid-19 so that IgG antibody can develop in the mother, cross the placenta, and protect the baby after it has been born. It’s a FACT!
And yet, there was the speaker saying that this newborn HAD to receive its mother’s colostrum or it would have NO antibody. They even took a blood sample from the newborn to check it had antibodies AFTER it had had the colostrum.
“Why are you frowning?” asked the ECIC (AKA Wife).
“It doesn’t make sense” muttered the Microbiologist, “you get antibody in babies by transplacental transfer, not drinking milk.”
“So, you’re saying the experts are wrong and you’re right?”
“No, I’m just confused.”
“Well, that’s because you’re not a vet.” Continuing to mutter under her breathe “didn’t I say I’ll marry you ONLY if you NEVER act in a medical manner towards my cats…”
She had been “warned” about medical interference and the “know-it-all” attitude of medics by her vet!!!
Oh, sorry, did I not say? We were watching This Farming Life (one of our favourite TV shows) and they were talking about Clydesdale foals and whether they must be given the colostrum from the mare!
And yet, there was the speaker saying that this newborn HAD to receive its mother’s colostrum or it would have NO antibody. They even took a blood sample from the newborn to check it had antibodies AFTER it had had the colostrum.
“Why are you frowning?” asked the ECIC (AKA Wife).
“It doesn’t make sense” muttered the Microbiologist, “you get antibody in babies by transplacental transfer, not drinking milk.”
“So, you’re saying the experts are wrong and you’re right?”
“No, I’m just confused.”
“Well, that’s because you’re not a vet.” Continuing to mutter under her breathe “didn’t I say I’ll marry you ONLY if you NEVER act in a medical manner towards my cats…”
She had been “warned” about medical interference and the “know-it-all” attitude of medics by her vet!!!
Oh, sorry, did I not say? We were watching This Farming Life (one of our favourite TV shows) and they were talking about Clydesdale foals and whether they must be given the colostrum from the mare!
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