Umbilical infections in foals: microbiological investigation and management.
This study aims to investigate the bacteria involved in equine omphalitis and their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs, and consequently to provide guidelines concerning the most suitable treatment protocol in accordance with the clinical, ultrasound and laboratory findings. Forty foals aged between one and 30 days were evaluated in the course of this investigation. An ultrasound examination of all umbilical remnants was carried out carefully in all foals; umbilical swabs were collected for bacteriological examination, and blood samples were collected for blood culture from 19 foals with fever and abnormal blood values. Bacterial omphalitis was observed in 95 per cent of foals and bacterial septicaemia was diagnosed in 11 cases. Enterobacteria and coccoid Gram-positive bacteria were isolated more frequently thanSerratia marcescens, Pantoea agglomeransandTrueperella pyogenesOmphalectomy was performed in 77.5 per cent of the foals examined; the remainder were treated only medically with antimicrobial drugs as recommended by antibiotic susceptibility testing performed for all bacteria isolated. Antibiotic therapy was successful in all foals that only received medical treatment; nevertheless, omphalectomy was performed in most cases particularly in situations of clinical decline despite antibiotic therapy and when involvement of umbilical vein, fever and joint disorders were observed.
Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Rampacci
Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Passamonti
Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Bottinelli
Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Stefanetti
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
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Cercone
Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Nannarone
Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Gialletti
Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Beccati
Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Coletti
Centro di Studio del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, Perugia 06126, Italy.
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Pepe
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antimicrobials; Foals; Omphalectomy; Omphalitis; Ultrasonography