Pneumonia in Foals

[Brandi*]

I am just curious how pneumonia if foals gets started. Are there certain things or situations that set it off? Are there ways to prevent it?

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Thanks!

 

[Minimor]

From what I've learned, pneumonia in both foals and older horses is often a result of some other illness or infection--any horse that gets run down, whether from illness, stress, exhaustion, worm overload, malnourishment--will be more susceptable to pneumonia. I think the most common way for pneumonia to develop is as a secondary bacterial infection following a viral respiratory infection.

We've had several cases of pneumonia here over the years--twice in mature horses, 2 or 3 times in foals, and all cases have been caused by a secondary bacterial infection following a viral infection (influenza). In the case of one foal it was a strangles infection that went through our herd--with the one young foal and one broodmare, they developed pneumonia.

In our case, with the flu infections, we've had the virus work its way through our herd--in most cases the horses are lethargic, feverish, they might go off feed for a couple days, have some of them that cough, some snotty noses. The thing with the foals, it can turn into pneumonia so easily. When one of the babies gets a snotty nose, we watch it like a hawk. A snotty nose with no other signs, we'll wait & see. If that foal shows any sign of having increased respiration, though, we treat it aggressively as that is the first sign of major trouble.

Foals with pneumonia start out showing heavy breathing. They may not look sick otherwise. There may not be any nasal discharge, there probably won't be any coughing. The foal will still be nursing & may even seem fairly bright--you have to look closely to see that the foal isn't quite itself, perhaps a little duller than he should be. The breathing is the key--if you wait until the foal stops nursing you may have waited too long. Twice I've called the vet from work first thing in the morning to say that we had a foal that was showing some signs of breathing problems--foal was fine the night before, just not quite right in the morning--and both times the vets have told me to leave work & come & pick up the medication & take it home & give it to the foal NOW--I'm not to wait until after work, not wait until lunch hour, not even wait for morning coffee break--they want me to go & get the drugs into that foal immediately, because even a couple hours can make a huge difference.

Now, that is the ordinary sort of pneumonia. There is a different type that is specifically known as foal pneumonia, a disease caused by a Corynebacterium equi infection. This sort is rather uncommon, but apparently occurs more frequently in certain locations or types of soil. It's thought to live in decayed matter in the soil, and may be inhaled or it may enter the body by way of the umbilical stump. According to my vet book it doesn't appear to be transmitted from horse to horse. It usually occurs under the age of 4 months and mortality is high. It usually develops gradually, becoming well established before external signs are apparent. Signs are variable; foals may show little sign of illness until near death, or they may exhibit loss of appetite and condition for several weeks before respiratory symptoms are obvious. Once there are obvious respiratory signs, the disease generally follows a rapid course (1 - 2 weeks) and results in death. Signs may include fever, rapid pulse & respiration, coughing, purulent nasal discharge, watery eyes and diarrhea. The infection causes numerous suppurating abscesses in the lung. The lymph nodes, large intestine, liver, kidnesy, brain and joints may also exhibit lesions though these are found at post mortem only. If diagnosis is early, tetracycline & chloramphenicol are effective, but treatment can be frustrating because the bacteria tends to become resistant to the drugs very quickly. That info is taken from my Equine Research vet book by the way. Thankfully I've had no personal experience with Foal Pneumonia; the ordinary pneumonia is bad enough!

 

[Brandi*]

Thanks so much for the info!!! It was very helpful!

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[bpotze]

This is some good info....my colt that died from the pneumonia was fine the night before and nursing and eating just a few hours before he just couldn't fight any more. I have three more foals...all a bit over 4 months that has this flu virus....now they have had little or no nose discharge...but a cough.....another one of mine has spiked a fever and I have noticed a slight change in his breathing...so I have started him on meds....but every one of these foals have been running around and playing...bright eyed...good gum color and all....even when we left the vet after the little colt was in the hospital for two days...he had good gum color...and then he went down within 12 hours. I never realized how quickly they get sick....this is the first time in 15 years of raising horses that we have experienced something like this. It is really rough!!

 

[Brandi*]

Your story is what started my questions. I have never owned a mini before and she is just 5 months or so now. So I wanted to get as much info as possible so that I will know the signs. Thanks for all the information. And bpotze, I am so sorry for your loss :no:

 

[Flaxenacres]

I have had a filly that has had rhodococcus pneumonia. She was fine excep for heavy breathing so we took her temp. it was ove 102. We called vet and we have been treating her since july 11th. Her blood work was way out of wack and we ended up taking her to Va. Tech. We were told that Rhodococcus pneumonia the respiratory pathogens can be picked up out of the ground or even dust fromdry weather. After having this case of pneumonia I will never take a sick horse off of meds till the blood work comes back normal. When we took her to VA. Tech on Aug. 30th she still had an area in her lungs that was not clear.I was able to keep her temps down in the 101 range but not normal.The Internal Med. Dr. Had us add Rifampin to the Chloramphenicol that we had already had her on for 3 weeks. We tried all sorts of drugs prior to this. I am told by my vet that in Kentucky this Pathogen is in the soil on some farms, and they automatically treat all foals. This Tuesday my filly goes for xrays and blood work and if things are still normal she will be able to be off antibiotics. Lorie

 

[bpotze]

One thing I have found from this experience...so far...as it is not over yet...is that the change is breathing is so very slight that it is easy to overlook. I am so thankful for an excellent equine vet and that I can call her anytime day or night...she has helped soooo much...even for reassurance...as I feel I need to do more.

I have found out that coughing..as much as I hate to hear it...is a good thing....mine haven't had really snotty noses...but if I do see any...it is not badly discolored..I am watching the temps...but I was just so amazed at the breathing.....now I just stand there and watch the foals for a few minutes while they are at rest to make sure the breathing is normal. I do have three of the foals on a bronchodialtor until the coughing clears up...and I do have a stethescope so I can listen to their lungs....but foals are noiser than older horses....but you can still hear if they are wheezing. I only wish we could have saved little Ace...now I have to work on trying to get the others through it.

Becky

 

[Minimor]

Becky--that's what many people (most of those that have never had a foal with pneumonia) do not realize, is just how slight the change in respiration is initially. People will say "he seemed okay this morning but this afternoon he's really sick" and in actual fact the change in respiration was probably there already yesterday evening, it's just that no one noticed. If one has a respiratory infection in their horses it is especially important to keep a close eye on the foals.

Once you've experienced pneumonia in a foal, it's easy to become paranoid--you'll see a foal napping, lying flat out in the sun, and you'll notice he's breathing really heavy & then you'll be sitting there staring at him trying to decide if that heavy breathing is normal for a foal napping in the sun, or is he sick? Been there, done that!

 

[Brandi*]

Minimor,

I have found myself watching Melody breathing every since the topic started. But I noticed her breathing fast the first few days she was here. And thats been over three weeks now. Sometimes I watch the sides of her little belly and they are just going up and down so fast. And she hasn't been running around or anything when she does it. Sometimes it seems like she is smelling the air or something. But I scheduled an appointment with the vet on Wednesday so that he can check her out. Mainly so that he can put her on a vaccination schedule, worming schedule, check her teeth and just make sure she is doing well. And that way she will have a file started and the vet will be familar with her for any real emergencys. Also her back ankle pops when she walks Don't know what thats about

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[bpotze]

Oh yes...that is me!!! I have always gone out to the pasture when I see one laying down...just to check on them. A few months ago one of my yearlings was laying flat out in the pasture and it freaked me out...so I go running up there...and she never budged until I was right on top of her touching her to make sure she was breathing. Little stinker!!!

Not only am I watching them breath...but I am now taking temps at least twice a day. It has not been a pleasant experience..and I hope we get through this without losing anyone else. I just keep blaming myself...thinking I should have done more...or should have caught Ace sooner.

Becky