An IgG snap test result of greater than 800 mg/dL indicates which condition is unlikely?

• A. Failure of passive transfer
• B. Septicemia
• C. Both failure of passive transfer and septicemia
• D. Neither

Answer: (A)

An IgG snap test value above 800 mg/dL shows the calf has received enough maternal antibodies through colostrum, indicating passive transfer has occurred adequately. This makes failure of passive transfer unlikely because that condition means the newborn didn’t obtain sufficient IgG from colostrum, which is not the case here. Septicemia could still develop even with high IgG since infection risk depends on more than just antibody levels—including timing of exposure, innate immune function, and pathogen factors. So, the result most strongly suggests that failure of passive transfer is unlikely, while septicemia remains possible.