Umbilical cord remnant infections in foals: 16 cases (1975-1985).

The study looks into 16 documented cases of foal umbilical cord infections between 1975 and 1985, exploring the location of infection, the treatment used, and the survival rate of infected foals.

Overview of the Research

• The research investigated the problem of umbilical cord remnant infections in newborn horses(called foals).
• 16 cases from a period of 10 years, ranging from 1975 to 1985, were examined and analyzed.
• The main focus was on identifying where specifically the infections occurred within the remnants of the umbilical cord, what treatments were applied, and the eventual outcome for the foals included in the study.

Location of Infection

• The findings showed varying locations of infections in the remnants of the umbilical cord.
• The infection was found in the urachus alone in 3 foals, the umbilical arteries in 2 foals, both the urachus and umbilical arteries in 3 foals, the urachus and umbilical vein in 2 foals, and the urachus, umbilical vein, and umbilical arteries in 2 foals.
• However, in 4 foals, the specific location of the infection could not be determined.

Treatment and Outcome

• All the foals with umbilical cord remnant infections received antibiotics, administered either orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously.
• In addition, 9 of the foals underwent surgical excision of the umbilical cord remnants.
• Of the sixteen foals, nine survived, six of whom had undergone the surgical removal of the infected remnants.
• The survival rate was notably lower among foals with joint infections – out of seven foals with one or more infected joints, only two survived.

Conclusions

• The study sheds light on the severity and potential threat of umbilical cord remnant infections in foals.
• It also highlights the importance of timely and appropriate treatment, not just with medications, but also the potential benefits of surgical intervention where possible.
• Furthermore, the high mortality rate among foals with joint infections underscore the vulnerability of these young animals to infections in multiple areas and the heightened importance of early diagnosis and intervention.