Factors associated with the risk of positive blood culture in neonatal foals presented to a referral center (2000-2014)

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are common in sick foals and increase foal morbidity and mortality when they occur. Recognition of risk factors for BSI could be an important means to limit their occurrence, but studies on this topic are limited.

Objectives: Historical as well as maternal and foal physical examination findings will predict risk of BSI in neonatal foals.

Animals: Foals <14 days of age admitted to a referral equine hospital for care.

Methods: Retrospective case-control study with univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results: Four hundred twenty-nine (143 cases and 286 controls) foals <14 days of age were studied. Risk of a foal having a BSI was increased in foals with umbilical disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 11.01; P = .02), hypoglycemia (adjusted OR, 13.51; P = .03), and the combined presence of umbilical disease and low hematocrit (adjusted OR, >999.99; P = .04). Factors not found to be risk factors for development of BSI included prematurity, hypothermia, abdominal disease, diarrhea, failure of passive transfer, and maternal uterine infection.

Conclusions and clinical importance: Several historical and physical examination findings increase the risk of foals being blood culture positive at presentation to the hospital. This knowledge may aid early identification of blood culture status, thus aiding in treatment decisions.

Keywords: bacteremia; foal; neonate; septicemia.