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Factors associated with survival in septicemic foals: 65 cases (1988-1995).
Abstract: In order to identify variables obtained at admission that could be used to predict survival in septicemic foals, medical records of 65 foals diagnosed with septicemia were reviewed. Initially, variables were analyzed independently (univariate analysis) for association with survival. Of the physical examination and historical data examined using univariate analysis, the ability to stand at admission, respiratory rate > or = 60 breaths per minute (bpm), and normal-appearing mucous membranes were significantly associated with survival. Foals with history of induced parturition were significantly less likely to survive. The following hematologic and serum biochemical variables determined at admission were significantly associated with survival: white blood cell count > or = 6,000 cells/microL, neutrophil count > 4,000 cells/microL, serum albumin concentration > 2.2 g/dL, serum glucose concentration > 120 mg/dL, blood pH > or = 7.35, and positive base excess. The administration of plasma at admission was significantly associated with survival. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between survival and variables identified as significantly associated with survival in bivariate analysis. The final multivariate model selected included the variables standing, duration of clinical signs (24-hour intervals) prior to admission, respiratory rate > or = 60 bpm, neutropenia ( or = 60 bpm, and that had a neutrophil count > 4,000 cells/microL at admission. Probability of survival was significantly decreased for foals that had a longer duration of clinical signs prior to admission. For each 24 hours of duration, the estimated risk of death was increased by 5.8-fold.
Publication Date: 1998-05-22 PubMed ID: 9595374DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1998.tb02109.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article explores factors linked to survival rates in septicemic foals, analyzing the health data of 65 foals diagnosed with septicemia to determine which variables can predict survival.
Objective of the Research
The study aimed to identify variables at admission that could predict the survival of septicemic foals—foals diagnosed with septicemia, a serious bloodstream infection. The researchers used medical records of 65 such foals for analysis.
Method of Analysis
The medical records analyzed in this study included important details such as:
- Physical examination and historical data
- Hematologic and serum biochemical variables determined at admission
These variables were initially analyzed independently (univariate analysis) for any correlation with survival.
Significant Findings
The univariate analysis discerned several factors significantly associated with survival, such as:
- Ability to stand at admission
- Respiratory rate of 60 breaths per minute or more
- Presence of normal-appearing mucous membranes
- White blood cell count of 6,000 cells/microL or more
- Neutrophil count of more than 4,000 cells/microL
- Serum albumin concentration greater than 2.2 g/dL
- Serum glucose concentration of over 120 mg/dL
- Blood pH of 7.35 or above
- Positive base excess
- Administration of plasma at admission
However, foals with a history of induced parturition were less likely to survive.
Further Analysis and Findings
The doctors then performed a stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis on the variables identified as significantly associated with survival. This multivariate model included the ability of the foal to stand, the duration of clinical signs before admission, respiratory rate, neutropenia, and neonatal age category.
The probability of survival was significantly increased for foals that were standing, had a respiratory rate of 60 breaths per minute or more, and a neutrophil count above 4,000 cells/microL at admission. However, each 24-hour interval of the duration of clinical signs prior to admission significantly decreased the probability of survival, increasing the estimated risk of death by 5.8-fold.
Cite This Article
APA
Gayle JM, Cohen ND, Chaffin MK.
(1998).
Factors associated with survival in septicemic foals: 65 cases (1988-1995).
J Vet Intern Med, 12(3), 140-146.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1998.tb02109.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA. jmai_gayle@unity.ncsu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Body Temperature
- Confidence Intervals
- Heart Rate
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Leukocyte Count
- Respiration
- Retrospective Studies
- Sepsis / mortality
- Sepsis / physiopathology
- Sepsis / veterinary
- Survival Rate
Citations
This article has been cited 19 times.- Ekstrand C, Nostell K, Gehring R, Bondesson U, Bröjer J. The disposition of trimethoprim and sulfadiazine in neonatal foals after intravenous administration. Vet Med Sci 2022 May;8(3):1065-1071.
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- Chen LT, Wesdorp E, Jager M, Siegers EW, Theelen MJP, Besselink N, Vermeulen C, Zomer AL, Broens EM, Wagenaar JA, de Ridder J. Bacterial cell-free DNA profiling reveals the co-elevation of multiple bacteria in newborn foals with suspected sepsis. iScience 2025 Dec 19;28(12):114005.
- Graham AE, Colgate VA, Floyd EF. Antibiograms of Bacterial Cultures From Equine Neonates at a United Kingdom Hospital: 381 Samples (2018-2023). J Vet Intern Med 2025 Sep-Oct;39(5):e70198.
- Rossi HS, Hyytiäinen HK, Junnila JJT, Rajamäki MM, Mykkänen AK. Factors affecting survival of foals with pneumonia in a referral hospital. BMC Vet Res 2024 Dec 18;20(1):562.
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