In the October 1996 issue of the Equine Disease Quarterly, Salmonella isolates from equine cases over a six-year period at the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC) were discussed. From June 1994 to June 1996, 3,340 equine necropsies on adults, neonates, and fetuses were performed at the LDDC. Salmonella isolates from necropsy cases during the two years have been closely examined.

Dr. Marie Petrites-Murphey of the LDDC reviewed all cases to determine whether the Salmonella isolated was the primary cause of disease, as in cases of enterocolitis or septicemia, or the isolate was considered secondary or not a cause of disease. Salmonella can be found in the gut flora of normal horses, and was isolated in horses which died of head injury, neonatal isoerythrolysis, uterine hemorrhage, and poisonings