Causes of and farm management factors associated with disease and death in foals.
Abstract: A prospective study was conducted to describe the causes of and farm management factors associated with disease and death in a population of foals in Texas. Data from 2,468 foals at 167 farms were provided by veterinarians for all 12 months during 1991. Among 2,468 foals, 116 deaths were reported (4.7%). Pneumonia was the most commonly reported cause of death, followed by septicemia. When considered as a group, musculoskeletal disorders (traumatic, infectious, or deforming problems) represented the most common cause of all reported deaths. Daily risk of death was greatest during the first 7 days of life, and decreased with age. Risk and frequency of causes of death varied by age. Crude incident morbidity during the year was 27.4% (677/2,468). Respiratory disease was the most common cause of incident disease in the study population, followed by diarrhea. Risk of disease was greatest among < or = 7 days old, and decreased with age. Crude rate of incident of diarrhea was significantly lower among farms where foals were born on pasture, compared with that at farms where foals were born in stalls. The practice of assessing passive immunity was significantly associated with decreased morbidity from septicemia and pneumonia.
Publication Date: 1994-05-15 PubMed ID: 8050947
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article studies the causes of diseases and mortality in foals and its association with farm management practices. It concludes that pneumonia, septicemia, and musculoskeletal disorders are prominent causes of death, while respiratory disease and diarrhea are common illnesses. Moreover, a foal’s age and where they are born also play a significant role in disease occurrence, mortality, and disease type.
Research Background and Method
- The researchers conducted a prospective study around Texas, collecting data from 2,468 foals across 167 farms. This data was gathered by veterinarians over 12 months in 1991.
- During the study, the foals’ daily risk of death, disease frequency, age-related cause of death, and crude incident morbidity were observed and recorded.
Research Findings: Disease and Mortality
- Among the total of 2,468 foals, 116 deaths occurred, representing a death rate of 4.7% for the whole population under review.
- The main causes of death were pneumonia, followed by septicemia (blood poisoning), which was largely fatal.
- Musculoskeletal disorders, including traumatic, infectious, or deforming problems were the most common cause of all reported deaths when considered as a group.
- The study found that the risk of death was highest in the first week of life, decreasing as the foal matured.
Research Findings: Diseases
- The study found the crude incident morbidity rate to be 27.4% which means 27.4% of the total population were expected to have a disease during the study period.
- The most common cause of incident disease was respiratory disease, followed by diarrhea.
- Similar to fatality risk, the risk of disease was greatest among foals less or equal to 7 days old, decreasing gradually with age.
Farm Management Factors
- Where a foal is born significantly influences the disease incident. Foals born on pastures had a significantly lower rate of diarrhea compared to those born in stalls.
- The practice of assessing passive immunity – the transfer of antibodies from mother to baby during breastfeeding, was associated with decreased morbidity from septicemia and pneumonia.
In summary, this study outlines the critical health risks for foals, the primary diseases present in this population, their correlation with the age of the foals and also indicates certain farm management practices that can be instrumental in maintaining better health for the foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Cohen ND.
(1994).
Causes of and farm management factors associated with disease and death in foals.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 204(10), 1644-1651.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4475.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Cause of Death
- Diarrhea / epidemiology
- Diarrhea / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horses
- Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
- Incidence
- Male
- Morbidity
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / epidemiology
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / mortality
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
- Pneumonia / epidemiology
- Pneumonia / mortality
- Pneumonia / veterinary
- Prospective Studies
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
- Risk Factors
- Sepsis / epidemiology
- Sepsis / mortality
- Sepsis / veterinary
- Texas / epidemiology
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