SALMONELLOSIS – INTESTINAL BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN HORSES
Bacteria doesn’t only affect humans; it can affect several organisms. Some bacteria can be common among animals and humans just like a disease we are going to discuss today. Most of you will be very much familiar with Typhoid, a disease caused by Salmonella Typhi. Now this group of bacteria can also affect horses and all possible mammals and reptiles! Salmonella infections can be very dangerous for horses without proper treatment. So here it is, all the information you want, to help your buddy from that infection.
Salmonella infection
The bacteria usually affect the gut and cause Salmonellosis. This can turn into a systemic illness in young horses below 1 year of age.
Symptoms
Symptoms differ according to their age. In adult horses, symptoms may be severe watery diarrhea with a foul smell and blood. There may be fever, lethargy, loss of appetite too. But in foals, it can cause depression, dullness, joint swelling, high fever, etc.
Mode of Transmission
The bacteria enter the horses through contaminated food and water. It can be contaminated grass, drinking water, from the props horses commonly share can transmit the bacteria from infected to uninfected. This is a very important point because if you have an infected horse, it’s best to isolate it from others as soon as possible before others catch it. It can shed a huge number of bacteria when they are showing symptoms, especially diarrhea. Shedding decreases over time. Precaution should also be taken for preventing animal-human infection of salmonella. The caretaker should also practice hygiene measures.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is done by observing the symptoms and testing for salmonella in the feces, blood, and tissue of the horse.
Treatments
- IV fluids and Electrolyte replacement for infection with severe diarrhea. Electrolyte deficiency should be determined by biochemical analysis.
- Anti-bacterial treatment for preventing bacteremia. Drugs for the treatment should be decided according to the strain of the bacteria discovered through thorough analysis.
- GI protectants, NSAIDs for pain are common internal medications prescribed.
If left untreated complications can be severe dehydration and death of the horse.
What can Ayurveda do?
Some of you may know, some may not. Ayurveda is a science of life, not only for humans but also for animals. Animals are also evaluated through the prism of the Tridosha theory. Examining the symptoms, determining the dosha vitiation, and prescribing the appropriate medications are the standard procedures. Ayurveda focuses on disrupting pathogenesis and avoiding the causative factor so that the disease process isn’t started in the first place. But in an infectious condition, preventive care is focused on improving the immunity, which you can adopt for non-infected horses in your stable. For the infected horses, medication for diarrhea is given after careful observation of their symptoms. If the diarrhea is life-threatening like dangerously excess or mixed with blood, we can treat them with medicine that can stop the outflow, or else we let the disease run its natural course, alongside that, we give medicines that improve strength and immunity against the disease.
Medicine recommendations from Planet Ayurveda.
We are a globally recognized initiative with the unwavering goal of making Ayurveda a part of everyone’s lifestyle. For this, we work every day on how to combine “the” world’s oldest health science with cutting-edge technology and research to develop the safest and most effective medicines. Planet Ayurveda has a large number of satisfied customers all over the world. Because of our chemical-free and high-quality medicine manufacturing methods, Planet Ayurveda has become the go-to, one-stop-shop for all of their herbal needs. We are consistent in our safety measures, and we have never failed to keep our promise to our valued customers! We value all life on Earth, including our friends from other species!
So here are a few choices we’ve picked for them…
1. GILOY CAPSULES
This is a single herb capsule filled with standard extract of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). Giloy extracts promote bone and joint health. It Helps in inflammatory conditions and is effective in bringing down the fever. Giloy is called Amrita in Sanskrit and Amritarishta is quite famous for its effect on fever. It increases the immunity against the disease in adult horses, in foals, it helps to fight the systemic symptoms like joint swelling and pain.
Dosage: 5 capsules twice daily.
2. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
Ashwagandhaghan Vati is a single herb capsule consisting of Withania somnifera. Ashwagandha, also known as ‘Indian ginseng’ is an excellent drug that helps build body strength. It can improve the immune system and help fight against infection. It can also alleviate stress which is one of the reasons for exacerbation of the disease.
Dosage: 4 capsules twice daily
3. HALORHENA + CAPSULES
These are single herb capsules containing Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica). Kutaj is the most potent anti-dysenteric medicine in Ayurveda. It is used to cease any kind of overflow, excess diarrhea, excess menstrual bleeding, and other bleeding disorders.
Dosage: 6 capsules twice daily.
4. DIGESTION SUPPORT
A polyherbal capsule enriched with the goodness of Amla (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), jeerak (Cyminum Cuminum), etc. due to infectious disease and excess diarrhea, Agni (digestive power) of a horse is severely declined. For all the medicines to work and to regain their strength, reigniting the hunger is necessary. This capsule is specially formulated to rekindle the digestive fire and to correct the metabolic process in an organism.
Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily
5. MAHASHANKH VATI
A classical poly-herb-mineral tablet referred from Bhaishajya Ratnavali containing, Shunti (Zingiber officinalis), pippali (piper longum), shankha bhasma (conch shell powder), 3 types of salts, etc. this is a perfect medicine to restore the lost electrolyte balance. Electrolytes are delivered by the shanka bhasma and the salts, and other herbs help in the digestion and absorption of these minerals.
Dosage: 6 tablets twice daily.
Ayurveda was written for all the species in this world, and they all should experience its magical touch because they all deserve it. We at Planet Ayurveda don’t discriminate between living organisms, we take equal efforts and care for restoring health in all the patients who approach us. Ayurveda can be a part of our pet friends and they can also be blessed with a high standard of living with a healthy mind, body, and soul.
