Equine Enteric Diseases Flashcards
What is the most common cause of foal infectious diarrhea?
Rotavirus
what is the most common cause of foal non-infectious diarrhea?
Foal Heat Diarrhea
What are the top 3 common causes of infectious diarrhea in adult horses?
Salmonella enterica
Neorickettsia risticii
Clostridioides difficile
What are the top 3 common causes of non-infectious diarrhea in adult horses?
IBD
Toxicities (such as Cantharidin, and NSAIDS)
Grain Overload
What is the timeframe for maximum absorption of maternal antibodies?
The first 8 hours of life
What are the main methods of measuring passive transfer utilized in practice?
Semi-quantitative immunoassay
Lateral flow/ELISA-type immunoassays
Immunoturbidometric assay
What factors effect FPT
Maiden mares, premature lactation, sick mares, dystocia, poor mothering instinct. etc.
Factors affecting foal diarrhea
transportation of the mare prior to foaling, lack of sanitation especially in the foaling area and facilitates where the foals are housed for the first 10 days, pre-partum nutrition of the mare. Too much is bad, Post-partum nutrition of the mare: too little is bad, excessive oral medications to the foal
What salmonella is most common
Salmonella enterica ss enterica
serovar Typhimurium is the most common (non-host adapted)
How is salmonella transmitted between animals
Fecal-oral or fomite transmission - HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS
What are acute clinical signs associated with Salmonella
Diarrhea (watery, +/-blood, +/- foul odor, +/- mucous) , Fever, and neutropenia are the most common clinical signs.
What clinical signs are associated with Chronic cases of Salmonella
Asymptomatic carriers- many only have a transient fever and/or cow-pie feces following stressful event
Chronic diarrhea- rare cases may develop chronic unresponsive cow-pie feces, weight loss.
How is Salmonellosis diagnosed in horses?
A fecal PCR or culture is most common.
One negative fecal on a suspect case is NOT enough!
Repeat Fecal samples (3-5) collected 12-24 hours apart is the gold standard
What treatment methods are suggested for Salmonellosis cases
Supportive Care
IV Fluids: Crystalloids (correct dehydration and electrolyte losses, Colloids- replace protein loss
NSAIDS, polymyxin B for endotoxemia
Antibiotics- Typically only used in foals or adults suspected of Septicemia
Laminitis prevention
What control protocols are used on the farm for cases of Salmonella
Quarantine all horses returning from shows and other events
Sanitize feeding and cleaning equipment between animals
Vaccination
What are the label claims for the Salmonella vaccination that is approved in the US?
Aid in the prevention of endotoxin-mediated disease
NOT labeled for diarrhea
> 6months of age, 2 initial shots with yearly booster
Not included in core or risk-based vaccine recommendations
What is the cause of Potomac Horse Fever
Neorickettsia risticii
When is the highest incidence of disease of Potomac Horse Fever
late summer/early fall
How is Potomac Horse Fever Transmitted?
Ingestion of feed or water contaminated with aquatic insects especially mayflies and caddis flies
What does Potomac Horse Fever infect?
Circulating macrophages.
What are Clinical Signs associated with the acute onset of Potomac Horse Fever?
Fever, anorexia, depression, injected mucous membranes
Diarrhea 24-72 hours after clinical signs
Initial presentation is the same as salmonellosis
What are clinical signs associated with chronic Potomac Horse Fever
Laminitis (up to 30%)
Abortion
What are the cause of death associated with Potomac Horse Fever
endotoxemia, laminitis
What methods of diagnosis are associated with Potomac Horse Fever
seasonal timing and geography highly suggestive
Often initiate treatment prior to receiving test results
PCR (current ideal)- feces, whole blood, (ideally submit both)