Causes of disease and death from birth to 12 months of age in the Thoroughbred horse in Ireland

Irish Veterinary Journal

KTT Corley²  NP Galvin¹ 

[1] Phoenix Equine Group, Grey Abbey Road, Co. Kildare, Ireland;Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland

关键词: stillbirth;    non-infectious disease;    mortality;    morbidity;    infectious disease;    horse;    foal;   

Others  :  1149632
DOI  :  10.1186/2046-0481-63-1-37

【 摘 要 】

A retrospective study was carried out to investigate the causes of disease and death in a population of foals in Ireland during their first 12 months post partum. Foaling and veterinary records from 343 foals on four farms born between January 1, 2004 and May 30, 2008 were reviewed. Among 343 foals, 22 did not survive to 12 months of age. Over the five-year period, the incidence of stillbirth was 1.5% (5/343), mortality 5% (17/338) and overall morbidity was 88.5% (299/338). Morbidity was calculated to include all new conditions brought to the attention of the attending veterinary surgeon, no matter how minor. Of foals born alive: congenital abnormalities were the most common cause of death (35.3% 6/17 foals) followed by musculoskeletal trauma (5/17, 29.4%). Of 711 separate incidents of disease, 46.5% (331/711) were due to an infectious process, 25% (178/711) due to non-infectious musculoskeletal issues; and 14.9% (106/711) related to non-infectious gastrointestinal problems. Respiratory infection was the single most common disease accounting for 27.8% (178/711) of all disease incidents in this population. Findings from this study provide information regarding the causes and incidence of death and disease in the young Irish Thoroughbred population.

   

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Chaffin MK, Cohen ND, Martens RJ, et al.: Foal-related risk factors associated with development of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia on farms with endemic infection. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003, 223(12):1791-1799.
• [2]Cohen ND: Causes of and farm management factors associated with disease and death in foals. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1994, 204(10):1644-1651.
• [3]Crowe MW, Swerczek TW: Equine congenital defects. Am J Vet Res 1985, 46(2):353-358.
• [4]Dwyer RM: Equine Rotavirus. In Equine Infectious Disease. 1st edition. Edited by Sellon DC, Long MT. St. Louis (MO), Saunders; 2007.
• [5]Enzerink E, van Weeren PR, van der Velden MA: Closure of the abdominal wall at the umbilicus and the development of umbilical hernias in a group of foals from birth to 11 months of age. Vet Rec 2000, 147(2):37-39.
• [6]Gayle JM, Cohen ND, Chaffin MK: Factors associated with survival in septicaemic foals: 65 cases (1988-1995). J Vet Int Med 1998, 12(3):140-146.
• [7]Giles RC, Donahue LM, Hong CB, et al.: Causes of abortion, stillbirth and perinatal death in horses: 3527 cases (1986-1991). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1993, 203(8):1170-1175.
• [8]Ginther OJ, Williams D: On the farm incidence of equine dystocias. J Eq Vet Sci 1996, 16(4):159-165.
• [9]Greet TR: Managing flexural and angular limb deformities: The Newmarket Perspective. Proc Am Assoc Eq Pract 2000, 46:130-136.
• [10]Haas SD, Bristol F, Card CE: Risk factors associated with the incidence of foal mortality in an extensively managed mare herd. Can Vet J 1996, 37(2):91-95.
• [11]Jeffcott LB, Rossdale PD, Frank CJ, et al.: An assessment of wastage in Thoroughbred racing from conception to four years of age. Eq Vet J 1982, 14(3):185-198.
• [12]Leadon DP, Klay M: Pneumonia in foals with special reference to Rhodococcus equi. Proceedings of the 9th World Equine Veterinary Association Conference 2006, 216-218.
• [13]Morley PS, Townsend HGG: A survey of reproductive performance in Thoroughbred mares and morbidity, mortality and athletic potential of their foals. Eq Vet J 1997, 29(4):290-297.
• [14]Murray MJ, Murray CM, Sweeney HJ, et al.: Prevalence of gastric lesion in foals without signs of gastric disease: an endoscopic survey. Eq Vet J 1990, 22(1):6-8.
• [15]Platt H: Etiological aspects of perinatal mortality in the Thoroughbred. Eq Vet J 1973, 5(3):116-120.
• [16]Raidal SL: The incidence and consequences of failure of passive transfer of immunity on a Thoroughbred breeding farm. Aust Vet J 1996, 73(6):201-206.
• [17]Ryan CA, Sanchez LC: Non-diarrhoeal disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Vet Clin North Am Pract 2005, 21(2):313-332.
• [18]Smith KC, Blunden KE, Whitwell KA, et al.: A survey of equine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death in the UK from 1988 to 1997. Eq Vet J 2003, 35(5):496-501.
• [19]Sturgill T, Carter C: Causes of foal mortality. Equine Disease Quarterly 2008., 17(1)
• [20]Tyler-McGowan CM, Hodgson JL, Hodgson Dr: Failure of passive transfer in foals: incidence and outcomes on four studs in New South Wales. Aust Vet J 1997, 75(1):56-59.
• [21]Vaala WE, Sertich PL: Management strategies for mares at risk for periparturient complications. Vet Clin North Am equine Pract 1994, 10:237-265.
• [22]Wilkins PA: Disorder of foals. In Equine Internal Medicine. 2nd edition. Edited by Reed SM, Bayly WM, Sellon DC. St.Louis (MO), Saunders; 2004.
• [23]Wohlfender FD, Barrelet FE, Doherr MG, et al.: Diseases in neonatal foals. Part 1: The 30 day incidence of disease and the effect of prophylactic antimicrobial drug treatment during the first three days postpartum. Eq Vet J 2009, 41(2):179-185.
• [24]Wolfsdorf KE: Managing the high risk pregnancy. In Current Therapy in equine Medicine. 6th edition. Edited by Robinson NE, Sprayberry KA. St Louis (MO), Saunders; 2009.