mindofavet

It is that time of year unfortunately when foals are old enough for Rhodococcus equi to rear its particularly ugly head.   If this was an easy condition to diagnose and treat, we would all be better off.   But it isn’t, and it isn’t likely to be any time soon. Originally known as Corynebacterium equi , R. equi was first proposed as a cause of purulent pulmonary disease in foals in 1923 by Magnusson.   Since that time we have come to know a lot more about it, and how it doesn’t just take up residence in the lungs, but can go about anywhere it wants in a foal.   The list of problems besides pneumonia in foals is long: abdominal abscesses, growth plate infections, submandibular lymph node abscesses and even bone infections are reported.   Adult horse disease also occurs but is rare.   Other species can be affected, and of great importance is R. equi infection of immune compromised humans. There isn’t anywhere far enough away to run from trouble, and...

This time of year we see a lot of neonatal foals come through the clinic in various states of disrepair.   None of them look at the clock and check to see if it is still banker’s hours when they take a dive.   About 3am is a popular time.   Some just need a bit of a push to get going, while others become an assault on all that Mother Nature forgot to do to give that foal a decent shot at being a racehorse. We are faced with the question - is it worth it to spend money on this foal?   Many things play in to that decision.   For some people, it is emotional, there are no limits and how far you go is determined by how the foal progresses.   For most, economics and a cool head must rule the day, the foal is part of a business, and everyone still needs to eat. You need an objective assessment on where you are starting from.   Foals will surprise us in both directions: apparently minor issues at first look can hide serious problems that rapidly spira...