Equine Septicemia is a disease involving bacteria or toxins in the blood
stream or tissues. A number of bacteria that normally inhabit the
skin of horses or that are present in the environment can cause
septicemia. Bacteria gain access to the foal through the
umbilical stump, intestinal tract or lungs. Septicemia usually
occurs within three to four days after birth.

Some infections develop in utero from passage of bacteria across
the placenta and are present at birth. The infection can spread
to other organs, such as the lungs, intestinal tract,
bones/joints, liver, kidneys and central nervous system
Previously this condition was known as "navel ill" or "joint ill”.

The death rate from septicemia ranges from 30 -75 per cent of
affected foals, indicating the seriousness of this disease.

Clinical signs are often subtle and progress rapidly. By the time
clinical signs are observed, the foal can be critically sick.
Symptoms are depression, weakened suckle activity, diarrhea and
excessive sleeping or resting. Foals may be too weak to nurse and
may appear unaware of their surroundings. They may act sluggish
when attempting to nurse and there may be milk on their forehead.

If a mare's udder is full
and hot, it is a sign that the foal is sick and not nursing
properly. The foal's nostrils may be flared, and the respiration
rate may be increased. Foals often become dehydrated. Fever
occurs in less than 50 percent of the cases. The foal may be
reluctant to move, as joint pairs are usually affected and may be
hot, swollen and painful. Infection may move from joint to joint.
However, foals can die from septicemia before any signs of joint
involvement are noticed. The navel stump, if infected, can be
hot, swollen and have periodic discharges. However, it may look
normal but have an internal infection of the stump. Ultrasound
can be used to diagnose internal umbilical infections. All
lameness and swollen joints of affected foals should be x-rayed.

Foals may appear to recover, but symptoms can occur again in
eight to twelve months. Chronic cases cause joint enlargements,
arthritis and potential damage to the growth plates.
Complications have been observed in foals with septicemia, such
as pneumonia, meningitis and brain or spinal cord hemorrhage.

For survival of the foal, it is critical to recognize septicemia
before life-threatening signs occur.

It is important to keep good records on each mare's
pregnancy, foaling process and the post-foaling health of the
mare and the foal. Problems that should be considered as
potential risk factors predisposing foals to septicemia are
previous abortions in the dam or a stillbirth, twins, premature
foals, smaller than normal foals or mal formed foals. Mares with
chronic illness, that are malnourished during pregnancy or have a
loss of colostrum may produce at-risk foals. Dystocia, induced
birth, cesarean section, premature placental separation,
premature rupture of placental membranes or death of the mare are
risk factors.

Prematurity, postmaturity or being small at birth has been known
to impair a foal's immunity. Foals that require resuscitation
after foaling or that are stained with meconium are at a greater
risk of septicemia, because of possible aspiration of meconium,
poor lung inflation and inability to stand and suck colostrum
normally. Foals without a normal suckling reflex, that do not
stand and nurse within two or three hours of birth or that have
any other behavioral or physical abnormalities are at risk of
septicemia. Of course, improper or poor umbilical stump
disinfection or inappropriate on-farm use of antibiotics can
cause septicemia.

Failure of passive transfer (FPT) is a failure to acquire
adequate antibodies from colostrum, which often results in an
infection. This is a serious problem in mares that graze
endophyte-infected tall fescue during the last 30 days of
pregnancy. Other causes of FPT are failure of lactation in maiden
mares, leaking of colostrum prior to foaling, failure of the foal
to ingest adequate colostrum in the first 12 hours of life,
inadequate immunoglobulin content of colostrum or inadequate
immunoglobulin absorption by the foal.

Antibiotics help reduce the spread of septicemia. When a foal
first becomes sick and lethargic, contact your veterinarian
immediately.

Preventing Septicemia
The mare should be placed in the foaling stall 30 days before
foaling to allow her to produce antibodies against pathogens
common to that environment. Disinfect foaling stalls before they
are used, and thereafter clean them twice daily. Wash the mare
daily to reduce bacterial buildup from the stall on her haircoat
and perineum. A thorough grooming should be done each day.

As soon after birth as possible, the foal's navel stump should be
treated to prevent entry of bacteria into the foal. In the past,
iodine was normally used. Research from the University of
California has shown that the best treatment of the newborn
foal's navel stump is chlorhexidine (Nolvasan). Dilution of one
part of Novalsan to four parts of water produces the correct 0.5
percent chlorhexidine solution.

Do not allow the foal to nurse until the following are done: 1)
completely wash the mare's udder, perineum and rear quarters to
remove any fecal bacteria that the foal may come into contact
with when it seeks to nurse. Use a large volume of water and
soap, then thoroughly rinse and dry the mare; 2) milk 2 - 4
ounces of colostrum from the mare's clean udder and bottle feed
the foal before it rises to nurse when it has a sucking reflex.
If the mare does not have colostrum, use colostrum from a
colostrum bank.

If the foal is weak, tube feed it within an hour of birth with 6
- 8 ounces of colostrum. With orphan foals, feed them with a
bottle or from a pan until they consume 10 percent of their body
weight.

For foals born without observation that did not receive the above
precautions, antibiotic therapy may be necessary. Owners are
cautioned not to use antibiotics without consulting their
veterinarian.

In the treatment of septic foals, it is imperative that they be
kept in a clean environment. They should lie on their chest, not
on their side and should be protected from injuries.