Bacterial Diseases

Bacterial diseases are illnesses caused by harmful single-celled microorganisms called bacteria which invades the horses body, multiply and release toxins, damaging tissues and organs.

Tetanus

Tetanus is caused by Clostridium Tetani a serious type of bacteria. It is anaerobic so it thrives in deep oxygen poor wounds like puncture wounds. It is found in soil, manure and rusty metal and produces a neurotoxin affecting the horses nervous system. It enters the body through open wounds and travels through the blood to the brain. 75-90% of cases cause death.

The symptoms for tetanus are stiffness in the limbs and the neck, muscle rigidity which means the horses muscles feel hard to touch, lock jaw, the third eyelid becomes prominent and protrudes or flicks across the eye, flared nostrils, raised tail, light and sound sensitivity, seizures and collapse.

Use an anti-toxin medication to help to treat tetanus. Get the vet. Use fluid, therapy, muscle relaxers, a quiet environment with low light, low noise and low activity. Most likely would need to be put to sleep.

To prevent tetanus you could vaccinate. First when foal is 4-6 months of age and then another follow up one 4-6 weeks later followed by a booster at 12 months after the second dose. Then boosters every two years. Foals are most likely to get it as they don’t have the antibodies yet. Avoid horse from getting open wounds and clean thoroughly and dress any wounds. Keep the yard hygienic and avoid any rusty metal. If a foal or unvaccinated horse gets a large wound the vet could provide the anti-toxin to catch it early.

Strangles

Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection and the bacteria is called Streptococcus Equi. It attacks the upper respiratory tract and lymph nodes. It is cause by direct and indirect transmission (fomites with bodily fluids), and inhalation or ingestion of the bacteria. It can be fatal in up to 10% of cases and complications can occur in up to 20%. Older and younger horses like yearlings are more likely to be affected as they have a weak immune system (immuno compromised)

It can take up to 21 days for a horse to start showing symptoms. A high temperature above 38.5 degrees is often the first sign. This provides an opportunity to immediately isolate the horse and help prevent the spread of strangles. Symptoms include lethargy , dullness, depression, loss of appetite, not drinking, difficulty swallowing, a lowered head and neck, coughing, thick and discoloured discharge, swelling of the glands under the jaw (lymph nodes), in the space between head and neck, or on the head or neck which may lead to abscesses which can burst with highly infectious, thick, creamy and yellow puss, the abscesses in the lymph nodes usually burst into the horses guttural pouches which are air pockets at the back of the horses throat which then have to drain through the nostrils.

Treatment for strangles includes testing such as a visual and blood test, nasal or throat swab, endoscopy of guttural pouch and a flush. There is no cure for strangles but there needs to be supportive management provided. This involves anti inflammatory meds to reduce any pain and fever, drain abscesses with a poultice , soak food to encourage wasting and get fluids into the horse, vet could prescribe antibiotics but not in all cases and testing before returning the horse to a normal routine.

To prevent strangles you could test new horses on the yard, quarantine new horses for 21 days and monitor/health check, ensure vaccinations are up to date, area should be clean and disinfected, keep away new horses from older horses. If an infected horse is identified they should be isolated at least 10 metres away from other horses, biosecurity measures such as disinfecting, traffic light system, 1 person per horse, PPE, regular change of clothes, separate storage area, disinfect hands and boots, put up signs and inform visitors.

Rainscald

Rainscald is cause by Dermatophilus Congolensis which is bacteria on the horses skin and it is linked to prolonged wet or humid conditions. It most commonly affects the back and rump of the horses throat which. Sometimes can affect the neck too.

The symptoms for Rainscald include scabby lesions along the back, hair loss in small clumps, raised hair over infected areas, skin sensitivity or pain when touched, tuffs of hair coming away and redness, swelling, itchiness, moist, crusty patches on the skin, pus or discharge under scabs and matted hair.

It can be caused by prolonged exposure to rain and the elements, not drying the horse properly after exercise, lack of shelter, poor rug maintenance, damp, muddy field conditions.

Prevention and management for Rainscald involves using rugs properly and cleaning them, shelter, keeping horses clean and dry, avoid sharing equipment, regularly grooming and health checking, clean with hibiscrub, clip hair, antibacterial cream, and in severe cases give antibiotics.

Salmonella

Salmonella is caused by Salmonella Enterica which affects the digestive tract. Direct contact with active shedders and contaminated environment (fomites). It can be highly contagious and affects the digestive system. The can ingest the bacteria and is zoonotic which means it can spread to people so they should use PPE when dealing with contaminated horses and fomites. Stress and age is also a contributing factor due to immunity.

The symptoms for salmonella include colic, scouring/diarehea, depression, fever, anorexia, not drinking, neutropenia ( low neutrophil count), abdominal pain, fever, electrolyte loss, metabolic acidosis and dehydration.

Treatment involves using Bute, antibiotics but kills good bacteria, probiotics, prebiotics, fluids and electrolytes.

Prevention includes high forage diets, avoid feeding large meals as can cause a lot of acid, avoid changing feed too quickly, avoid feeding low quality food, isolate, reduce horses stress levels, vaccination, parasite control and disinfecting the yard and equipment.