Prevalence and performance effects of neonatal disease in Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals in South-Eastern Australia.
Abstract: There is little information on foal mortality and the epidemiology of diseases in the neonatal period in Australian equine breeding enterprises. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 1219 foals on 15 breeding farms in south-eastern Australia to identify the proportion of foals recognised on farm as abnormal at birth or within the first 48 h postpartum, determine the prevalence and risk factors for neonatal disease and assess the subsequent performance of foals in the study population. Results: Overall, 27 foals died within 6 weeks of birth in the study population (2.2%), 142 foals (11.6%) were reported as abnormal at birth, and 304 (25.3%) were regarded as abnormal in the first 48 h postpartum. Non-septic orthopaedic disease (NSOD) was the most common abnormality recognised. Premature foals and foals born after dystocia or abnormal parturition were more likely to have clinical abnormalities recognised, but the intensity of nursing care did not predict outcome. Prophylactic administration of antimicrobial drugs was associated with increased mortality and septic disease. Maternal periparturient problems, foal gender, abnormality at birth and the presence of septic disease or neonatal maladjustment were associated with decreased performance outcomes, whereas measures to assess and augment passive immune transfer were associated with improved athletic performance. Conclusions: Information in the current study is important for the treatment and management decisions on farm and to identify industry welfare and production priorities. Although the incidence of all outcome variables was variable, factors recognised on farm in the peri-parturient period were predictive of subsequent athletic performance.
© 2021 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2021-02-23 PubMed ID: 33624285DOI: 10.1111/avj.13056Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research focuses on assessing the prevalence of neonatal diseases among Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals in South-Eastern Australia, exploring their effects on the foals’ performance, and understanding the factors influencing these diseases and outcomes.
Research Methodology
- The researchers conducted a prospective cohort study involving 1219 foals from 15 breeding farms in South-Eastern Australia.
- The purpose was to determine the proportion of foals considered abnormal at birth or within the first 48 hours postpartum, to understand the prevalence and risk factors for neonatal disease, and to assess the foals’ subsequent performance.
Results of the Study
- The study found that 27 foals, about 2.2% of the total, died within six weeks of birth, with 142 (11.6%) reported as abnormal at birth, and 304 (25.3%) considered abnormal in the first 48 hours postpartum.
- Non-septic orthopaedic disease (NSOD) was the most common abnormality identified.
- Prematurity and foals that experienced dystocia or abnormal parturition were found to have a greater likelihood of clinical abnormalities.
- The intensity of nursing care did not predict outcome.
- Interestingly, proactive administration of antimicrobial drugs was associated with higher mortality and septic disease rates.
Impact on Performance and Outcomes
- Maternal periparturient problems, foal gender, abnormality at birth, and presence of septic disease or neonatal maladjustment were linked with decreased performance outcomes.
- Practices to assess and boost passive immune transfer were associated with improvements in athletic performance.
Conclusion
- The study’s findings are important as they offer crucial insight into treatment protocols and management decisions on the farm, along with establishing industry welfare and production priorities.
- Despite variability in outcome metrics, factors observed on the farm during the peri-parturient period (around the time of birth) predicted subsequent athletic performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Raidal SL, Hughes KJ, Eastwell B, Noble N, Lievaart J.
(2021).
Prevalence and performance effects of neonatal disease in Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals in South-Eastern Australia.
Aust Vet J, 99(5), 152-162.
https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13056 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Pregnancy
- Animals, Newborn
- Australia / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases / epidemiology
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases / veterinary
- Prevalence
- Prospective Studies
- South Australia / epidemiology
- Selective Breeding
References
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