SummaryReasons for performing study: Sepsis is an important cause of death in foals. Knowledge of which pathogens are likely to be involved is important for selection of antimicrobial drugs for initial treatment. Objectives: To identify temporal trends in prevalence of bacteria isolated from foals with sepsis between 1979 and 2010. Study design: Retrospective review of medical records. Methods: All foals ≤30 days of age presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) at the University of California, Davis between 1979 and 2010, with a diagnosis of sepsis confirmed by culture of bacteria from blood or internal organs (antemortem or at necropsy), were included in the study. Conventional microbiological methods were used to identify isolated organisms. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used for statistical analysis. Results:The percentage of Gram-positive isolates increased significantly over the years. The percentage Enterobacteriacea, and Klebsiella spp. in particular, decreased over time. Enterococcus spp. isolates were cultured more often in recent years. Conclusions: Whereas Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Enterobacteriaceae, remain the most common isolates from neonatal foals with sepsis, the prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria is increasing. This trend underlines the importance of including antimicrobial drugs active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in treatment protocols while awaiting the results of bacteriological culture and susceptibility tests. The increased prevalence of Enterococcus spp. is of concern because antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for enterococci are unpredictable and enterococci can also act as donors of antimicrobial resistance genes to other bacteria.

SummaryReasons for performing the study: Monitoring the development of antimicrobial resistance is important for the rational selection of appropriate antimicrobial drugs to initiate treatment of foals with sepsis. Objectives: To identify temporal trends in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from foals with sepsis. Study design: Retrospective review of medical records. Methods: Foals aged <30 days with a diagnosis of sepsis, confirmed by culture of bacteria, were included. Susceptibility data, expressed as minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) (MIC50, MIC90, MIC range) and percent of isolates that were susceptible to a particular antimicrobial drug, were compared for bacteria isolated from foals during 3 different time periods: 1979-1990, 1991-1997 and 1998-2010. The Cochran-Armitage trend test and the Jonckheere-Terpstra test were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 1091 bacterial isolates were cultured from 588 foals. Enterobacteriaceae, Actinobacillus spp. and β-haemolytic Streptococcus spp. showed a decrease in percent of isolates susceptible to gentamicin over time. Enterobacteriaceae, Actinobacillus spp. and β-haemolytic Streptococcus spp. showed an increase in MIC values for amikacin. Enterobacteriaceae showed a decrease in percent of isolates susceptible to ceftiofur. Enterococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. showed increased MIC values to ceftiofur. Enterobacteriaceae showed increased MIC values to ceftizoxime. Enterococcus spp. became more resistant to imipenem and showed increased MIC values to ticarcillin/clavulanic acid. In contrast, several trends in increased susceptibility were also seen. Conclusions: Based on these in vitro results, the combination of amikacin and ampicillin remains an appropriate choice for initiating treatment of sepsis in foals while awaiting culture and susceptibility test results, although increasing development of resistance to amikacin was demonstrated. The decrease in in vitro activity of ceftiofur against Enterobacteriaceae is of concern. Similarly, the development of resistance of Enterococcus spp. to imipenem is an important finding that warrants monitoring in the future. Judicious use of antimicrobials is therefore crucial.

BackgroundDiagnosing IBD in horses is challenging and requires a multimodal approach, since no conclusive diagnostic test is available.The objectives of this study were to provide an overview of population characteristics, results of applied diagnostic tests, treatment modalities and outcome in a large group of horses thought to have IBD and that were presented to four large equine referral hospitals, and to provide an exploratory investigation of possible associations between results of applied diagnostic tests, applied treatment modalities and outcome.A retrospective case series was performed across four large equine referral hospitals. Seventy-eight horses, thought to have IBD were included. Case history, clinical findings, diagnostic test results including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and enteral biopsies (both duodenal and rectal), applied therapy and outcome were studied. A Chi-Square test was used to identify associations between results of diagnostic tests, treatment and outcome. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsLethargy, diarrhoea, recurrent colic and weight loss were recorded in respectively 21,8%; 14,1%; 28,2% and 78,2% of cases. Over 70% of horses thought to have IBD had an abnormal OGTT. Only weight loss was significantly associated with aberrant enteral biopsy results, but not with abnormal OGTT results or low blood total protein. There was no association between an aberrant biopsy result and a disturbed OGTT. There was no association between either OGTT results or enteral biopsy results and a low blood total protein content, presence of gastric ulcer disease or an aberrant endoscopic aspect of the duodenal entrance.ConclusionsWeight loss is a highly prevalent symptom in IBD suspected horses. Enteral biopsies may be a useful diagnostic aid in the work-up of horses thought to suffer from IBD, however further research is required to demonstrate their true diagnostic value. Until more standardized scientific research is available, one should be careful with the interpretation of enteral biopsy results There is a need for better standardization of enteral biopsy procedures and the histopathological scoring of biopsies.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1343-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Reasons for performing study: Wounds are a common reason for out-of-hours call outs in equine practice. There is currently a lack of evidence on the types of wound, treatments commonly used and the associated outcomes. Objectives: To describe the incidence of different types of wounds seen in out-of-hours equine veterinary practice, their treatments and outcomes. Study design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Clinical data were reviewed from horses seen as out-of-hours primary care emergencies for wounds at two equine veterinary practices between 2011 and 2013. Wounds were categorised according to location and type. The incidence of different types of wounds, and the case presentation, treatment and outcome were analysed. Fisher's exact test was used to determine whether breed, degree of lameness and concurrent conditions were associated with outcome. Results: Data was retrieved from 481 cases. 'Simple wounds' were the most common (n = 292), particularly involving the distal limb (n = 128). Simple wounds consisted of wounds that were not chronic, synovial, a foot penetration, or involving the head, neck or body. Synovial wounds had the highest proportion of complicated outcomes (82%, n = 14 of 17). There was a significant relationship between severity of lameness and outcome (P = 0.0003). Clinicians did not routinely record insurance status (34%, n = 164), descriptive wound location (58%, n = 280), cause (43%, n = 211) or lameness score (22%, n = 110). Based on this, and current veterinary and medical literature, a recording proforma for wound cases was created. Conclusions: This first study of the incidence, treatments and outcome of wounds seen out of hours in UK equine practice highlighted that the majority of cases were simple limb wounds. Degree of lameness was significantly associated with outcome, and should be considered an important component of case recording. The use of a proforma may improve clinical recording within practice and assist with prospective clinical studies. Reasons for performing study: Equine well-being encompasses psychological and physical aspects and should be considered during veterinary interactions. Low-stress handling strategies facilitate positive encounters, in turn minimising injury to both animal and veterinarian. Factors to consider during each interaction include an understanding of the species, the individual animal and the handler's approach. Objectives: The aim of this preliminary study was to explore the handling approaches of veterinarians, and vets in training, when interacting with horses. Study design: Qualitative analysis of practical handling and interviews. Methods: The study was guided by research questions relating to the considerations participants make during equine interactions, and what resources and training informs their approach. Twelve veterinary students (three male, nine female) and two female equine clinicians from Nottingham Vet School were each videoed interacting with a horse. This was followed by semi-structured interviews with participants i...