Salmonellosis in Equidae: a study of 23 cases

Salmonellosis in Equidae is a serious global problem. The prevalence may range from 0.36% to 27%. Probably 5% to 10% of the equine population in the U.S. 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%) have been 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 over 3 1/2 months. Feces of a foal contained 10(5) salmonella per gram. Salmonella were isolated from the feces of horses during and following antimicrobial therapy regimes. Supportive and symptomatic treatment as well as good nursing care are imperative in handling cases of equine salmonellosis.