Salmonellosis in horses is a bacterial infection causing severe diarrhea, fever, and dehydration, requiring prompt treatment.

Salmonellosis

This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly.

Salmonellosis is a disease associated with the bacteria Salmonella enterica that causes diarrhoea in horses and humans.
The mechanism for Salmonella-induced intestinal disease is still being researched. What is known is that some serotypes of Salmonella have virulence factors that have a variety of effects on the intestinal mucosa, including assisting the bacteria to invade the intestinal mucosa.

The inflammatory response of the host to this invasion plays an important role in triggering hypersecretion by the enterocytes, which leads to diarrhea.
It is usually seen sporadically but may become an epidemic depending on the virulence of the organism, level of exposure, and host factors.

In horses, the bacteria are transmitted through contaminated feed or water, or by direct contact with infected individuals or surfaces that have been contaminated with manure from an infected individual. Mice, chickens, pigeons, and wildlife can be sources of Salmonella. Some horses are carriers that do not show any signs of disease but can actively transmit the organism.
Stress appears to play an important role in the progression of the disease. Asymptomatic carriers can become sick when under stress. Severe cases can be fatal if not treated.

Symptoms

  • Diarrhoea
  • Anorexia
  • Low appetite
  • Discharge
  • Depression
  • Restless
  • Lethargy
  • Kicking / biting stomach
  • Repeated stretching
  • Rolling
  • Fever
  • Pawing
  • Swelling in one leg
  • Swelling in all legs
  • Cold legs
  • Low heart rate
  • Dry / tacky gums
  • White / pale gums
  • Dark / purple gums
  • Grayish / blueish white gums
  • Sunken eyes
  • Skin flattens slowly
  • Skin doesn't flatten

Common in

  • Abortion (pregnant mares)

Treatment

Treatment for Salmonellosis is primarily supportive, consisting of fluid and electrolyte administration, as well as the use of intestinal protectants. Systemic antimicrobials are used only when the risk of septicemia is high, such as when treating young, elderly and immunocompromised patients, or when treating particularly invasive strains such as Salmonella typhimurium. The use of antibiotics has little benefit in treating primary gastrointestinal infections, does not eliminate subclinical states, and may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance.

Prevention

Prevention of salmonellosis is difficult, because the organism is present in the environment as well as in the feces of some healthy animals.
Healthy horses are at lower risk of becoming sick with Salmonella than horses that are sick or stressed, so it is important to practice good horse care and management.

Aditional preventive measures:
Quarantine horses that develop diarrhoea and/or fever. If a separate stall or paddock is not available, establish barrier precautions at their current location
Dispose of organic matter in a manner which prevents contamination of the facility (do not spread on pastures).

No commercially available validated vaccine is currently marketed.

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