On May 8, a Central Kentucky equine hospital sent out letters to area clients, farm managers, and veterinarians notifying them that an increased number of salmonella cases had been detected at the clinic this year, and explaining the methods staff were using to eliminate the Salmonella organisms and safeguard the health of patients. According to several area veterinarians, this is a situation that is not unusual for an equine veterinary hospital with a large caseload to face at some point. It also does not signify that there is a significant problem with salmonella in Central Kentucky.

Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital is having its turn at dealing with salmonella this spring, and the practice sent the letters to ensure correct information reached clients. Salmonella has caused them to use contingency plans for disinfecting facilities and segregating the emergency and elective surgery population. This has allowed them to continue reasonably normal operation of the hospital. Salmonella strains encountered have not yet been identified. 

The University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center hasn’t been so lucky, being forced to close to combat an antibiotic-resistant salmonella outbreak (see www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=1627).

Rolf Embertson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, an equine surgeon at Rood and Riddle, said the letters generated a few phone calls, but most clients are well aware of salmonella and its management and elimination. “We’ve had some people call from outside of this area, wondering if Central Kentucky has a serious problem right now–and that’s not the case,” he emphasized