What Are the Treatments for Equine Salmonella?

Salmonellosis or salmonella in horses is a potentially deadly illness caused by invasive bacteria in the Salmonella family. Unfortunately, salmonella bacteria are also highly contagious to other horses, mammals and people, and no equine salmonella vaccine is available.

  1. Immediate Action

    • According to Marcy and Tony Pavord in "The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual," preventing dehydration should be the first course of action. This is accomplished through intravenous drip fluids mixed with plasma.

    Treatment

    • Medications for equine salmonella include antibiotics, Endoserum (a type of antiserum) and an anti-inflammatory called flunixin megulmine, reports Thomas Gore in the "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook."

    Complications

    • Salmonella in horses have been known to become resistant to antibiotics, so your horse may need more than one kind of antibiotic.

    Isolation

    • Horses with salmonella must be placed in isolation. Use separate grooming tools, and wash your hands and boots thoroughly before working with healthy horses, says the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center.

    Prevention

    • Gore says infected horses' droppings can contain salmonella bacteria for up to 286 days, so avoid putting healthy horses in pastures used by infected horses.