Blue Gum Farm

Observation - a valuable tool
With many mares and foals now returning home from stud farms to their owners properties, we feel it is important to remind breeders of the importance of their observational skills. As we head into the hotter months of a drought year, observing changes in foals is a crucial element in the early diagnosis of rhodococcus equi, or ‘rattles’ as the disease is commonly referred to, which tends to be a lot more prevalent under these climatic conditions.

Rattles - What is it
Rattles is the colloquial term that describes the lung infection in foals, aged typically between three to six months, caused by the bacteria rhodococcus equi. This bacteria multiples in dry soil and faeces during the warm and hotter months of late spring and summer and infection occurs via the inhalation of contaminated dust. Absesses form on the foals lungs and if not detected early enough, the disease can be fatal. Stresses such as float trips can bring this disease to a head which is why we feel it is important for breeders to be aware of it now that foals are travelling home at the end of the stud season. The bacteria does not cause infection in yearlings or older horses.

Observation is a critical tool in identifying 'Rattles' in your valuable foal

Symptoms
An infected foal may simply present with a dry cough, hence the term ‘rattles’. Obviously not all foals that cough at this time of the year are going to be infected and a check of the foals temperature at this time would be very beneficial. An elevated temperature would heighten suspicion. Heavy or ‘thick’ breathing can also be present and foals may appear depressed and lethargic, their coat may be of a dry appearance and their mothers may have an enlarged udder or be running milk if the foal has gone ‘off the suck’ due to not feeling 100%.

Treatment
Scanning of the foals lungs will confirm if absesses are present and whether the foal should be treated. If necessary, the foal is treated orally with an antibiotic called clarithromycin, the specifics of which should be discussed with your equine veterinarian. The dose a foal may require is determined by its weight and the length of the course determined by the size of the absesses being treated and the response to the treatment. Follow up scanning is required to determine this. Diagnosed and treated early enough, foals will make a full recovery.

Prevention
Whilst it is impossible to fully eradicate rhodococcus equi due to its method of travel, the management of a property can greatly reduce the build-up of infection loads in the soil. These basic points will assist in the management of this disease.

1. Reduce the build up of droppings in paddocks and yards.
2. Avoid overstocking paddocks and yards, hence reducing the build up of dust and dry soil
3. Reduce the level of dust created by vehicle traffic and the movement of livestock around a property.


		Rhodococcus Equi or 'Rattles'
Rattles is the colloquial term that describes the lung infection in foals, aged typically between three to six months, caused by the bacteria rhodococcus equi.		Observation - a valuable tool With many mares and foals now returning home from stud farms to their owners properties, we feel it is important to remind breeders of the importance of their observational skills. As we head into the hotter months of a drought year, observing changes in foals is a crucial element in the early diagnosis of rhodococcus equi, or ‘rattles’ as the disease is commonly referred to, which tends to be a lot more prevalent under these climatic conditions. Rattles - What is it Rattles is the colloquial term that describes the lung infection in foals, aged typically between three to six months, caused by the bacteria rhodococcus equi. This bacteria multiples in dry soil and faeces during the warm and hotter months of late spring and summer and infection occurs via the inhalation of contaminated dust. Absesses form on the foals lungs and if not detected early enough, the disease can be fatal. Stresses such as float trips can bring this disease to a head which is why we feel it is important for breeders to be aware of it now that foals are travelling home at the end of the stud season. The bacteria does not cause infection in yearlings or older horses. Observation is a critical tool in identifying 'Rattles' in your valuable foal Symptoms An infected foal may simply present with a dry cough, hence the term ‘rattles’. Obviously not all foals that cough at this time of the year are going to be infected and a check of the foals temperature at this time would be very beneficial. An elevated temperature would heighten suspicion. Heavy or ‘thick’ breathing can also be present and foals may appear depressed and lethargic, their coat may be of a dry appearance and their mothers may have an enlarged udder or be running milk if the foal has gone ‘off the suck’ due to not feeling 100%. Treatment Scanning of the foals lungs will confirm if absesses are present and whether the foal should be treated. If necessary, the foal is treated orally with an antibiotic called clarithromycin, the specifics of which should be discussed with your equine veterinarian. The dose a foal may require is determined by its weight and the length of the course determined by the size of the absesses being treated and the response to the treatment. Follow up scanning is required to determine this. Diagnosed and treated early enough, foals will make a full recovery. Prevention Whilst it is impossible to fully eradicate rhodococcus equi due to its method of travel, the management of a property can greatly reduce the build-up of infection loads in the soil. These basic points will assist in the management of this disease. 1. Reduce the build up of droppings in paddocks and yards. 2. Avoid overstocking paddocks and yards, hence reducing the build up of dust and dry soil 3. Reduce the level of dust created by vehicle traffic and the movement of livestock around a property.