Bacteriologic examination of equine fecal flora as a diagnostic tool for equine intestinal clostridiosis
Wierup, M.; DiPietro, J.A.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 42(12): 2167-2169
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 6280523 Document Number: 178337
The fecal flora of 56 clinically healthy and 23 sick horses were examined bacteriologically for counts of Clostridium perfringens, molds, coliforms, .alpha.- and .beta.-hemolytic streptococci and microbes belonging to genus Bacillus, as well as for the presence of Salmonella spp. Of the healthy horses, 85.7% had a C. perfringens count < 101 colony-forming units [CFU]/g of feces. Of the healthy horses, lowest counts were found in racehorses. Of the sick horses, equine intestinal clostridiosis was diagnosed in 2 horses with large C. perfringens counts (104-107 CFU/g) and with acute diarrhea. The 7 isolates of C. perfringens were identified as serotype A. Salmonella spp. were not detected from any of the horses. Diagnosing equine intestinal clostridiosis based on the determination of the fecal C. perfringens count was seemingly suitable.