SALMONELLOSIS IN EQUIDAE - STUDY OF 23 CASES

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (2) , 198-213
Abstract
Salmonellosis in Equidae is a serious global problem. The prevalance may range from 0.36%-27%. Probably 5%-10% of the equine population in the USA is or has been infected. Over 40 serotypes of Salmonella have been cultured from Equidae. S. typhimurium (66.31%), S. enteritidis (9.6%), S. newport (5.16%) and S. heidelberg (4.89%) are the most common equine isolates. The clinical and bacteriological studies of 23 naturally occurring infections in a large veterinary hospital were studied. Nine patients were infected with S. typhimurium, 8 with S. anatum, 1 with S. newport, 4 with dual serotype infections (3 S. typhimurium/S. anatum and 1 S. anatum/S. newington) and 1 untyped Salmonella. The roles of physical, surgical and environmental stress factors were analyzed. The fecal shedder state persisted for > 3 1/2 mo. Feces of a foal contained 105 salmonella/gm. Salmonella were isolated from the feces of horses during and following antimicrobial therapy regimens. Supportive and symptomatic treatment and good nursing care are imperative in handling cases of equine salmonellosis.