One may think that salmonella is the least of their horse’s health worries. However, salmonella bacteria are extremely common, widespread and long-lasting. In fact, laboratory samples of salmonella in dried feces have survived six years! In addition, some strains of salmonella bacteria have developed drug resistance to certain antibiotics, making them difficult to treat.
It is important to treat salmonella right away with veterinary assistance, as the toxins from the bacteria can cause far worse problems, such as laminitis and septicemia (overall infection of the body that can be fatal).
Salmonella spreads through the feces of an infected animal. Animals typically around a barn that can have it include birds, rodents, goats, cows, dogs, cats, llamas, even humans. When infected feces drop, they can infect pastures, feed, water, or any other surface that a horse might lick. Humans can contract salmonella as well from barn environments.
A major contributor is stress. A non-stressed horse can ingest the bacteria but suffer no ill effects (other than becoming a shedder to other animals), while horses that event, show, ship frequently or train rigorously will be much more susceptible to a major outbreak after coming in contact with salmonella.
Symptoms include diarrhea, elevated temperature, loss of appetite, colic and depression. A horse may not have all symptoms but a combination of them. Colic with elevated temperature is not typical colic but a possible salmonella infection. Have your vet send several manure samples for a culture as one sample alone may not reveal the infection.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccination for salmonella. Guarding against infection is the only alternative. Here are some tips for preventing salmonella:
• Keep feed bins securely covered
• Use the freshest water possible
• Do not place water or feed tubs under areas where birds roost
• Have a manure control plan that does not include spreading it on pasture
• Isolate any new animals on a non-dirt floor (dirt cannot be disinfected) and monitor their temperature for two weeks
• Wash hands and change shoes and clothes after visiting other arenas, barns or pastures
• Use footbaths with disinfectant and ask all visitors to step in it prior to entering your stable
If caught early, mild cases of salmonella should be fairly easy to treat. Isolation in a regularly disinfected stall, rest, relief from stress, and plenty of water and loose minerals are typical treatments. Severe cases of diarrhea require more monitoring, such as replacement of fluids through IV and medication. Infection usually lasts 7-10 days, but will shed in the infected animal’s manure for months afterward. Repeated feces testing will let you know when the animal is no longer shedding.
Strenuous disinfecting and complete isolation will be necessary to prevent the spread of the bacteria to other healthy animals, including yourself. Rubber gloves, separate feed/water tubs, separate manure forks, and other strict hygiene methods will need to be observed. After disinfecting, realize that any porous surface (such as wood or concrete) can still harbor these resistant bacteria, so sealant or new coats of paint are a good idea.
While many disinfect with a 10% bleach solution, bleach is not effective on organic surfaces. Instead, use StallSafe, which is potent but organic, biodegradable, and safe for use around animals