What Causes Cem In Horses?

CEM is caused by the bacteria T. equigenitalis. It is contracted during sexual contact with an infected horse, typically from stallion to mare.

What bacteria causes CEM in horses?

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a highly contagious venereal infection of equids caused by Taylorella equigenitalis, a bacterium with fastidious growth requirements.

How is contagious equine metritis transmitted?

How is CEM spread? Infection spreads through direct transmission of bacteria from mare to stallion or teaser or from stallion or teaser to mare at the time of mating or teasing. It is also transmitted to mares if semen used in artificial insemination (AI) comes from infected stallions.

How can you prevent equine metritis from being contagious?

Preventing and controlling CEM

1. tell your vet immediately – they may take samples from your horse for lab testing.
2. isolate any horses you think are affected.
3. stop the suspect horses mating.
4. avoid using semen from stallions with suspected or confirmed infection.

What is CEM in a mare?

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a transmissible venereal disease in horses, caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis . CEM is highly contagious and can have a devastating effect on equine reproduction. This disease only affects horses, however all breeds are susceptible.

What causes polysaccharide storage myopathy in horses?

A genetic mutation in the glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) gene causes PSSM Type 1 (PSSM1). The mutation causes muscle cells to produce glycogen continually. Since it is an autosomal dominant trait, only one copy of the mutation is needed for a horse to be affected.

How do horses get bacterial infections?

Horses are most often infected through the mouth, such as by ingesting contaminated feed or water or coming into contact with the feces of an infected animal. Treatment involves antibiotics and sometimes the use of intravenous (IV) fluids and electrolytes.

How do you test for CEM?

What tests are available to diagnose CEM? There are two official validated diagnostic tests for CEM; bacterial culture and the serologic compliment fixation (CF) test. Bacterial culture is the gold standard test to detect the organism from swabs collected from the genitalia of stallions and mares.

What is a CEM test in horses?

The laboratory will test for the presence of the CEM organism. If the results are negative, that means your horse is free from infection, but if the results are positive, this means your horse is infected and must be treated, re-tested and cleared. During this time your horse must not be used for breeding.

How is metritis prevented?

Ensure that close-up dry cows have a minimum of 30 inches of feed bunk space per cow. Reduce pen moves in the transition period and reduce the number of times new animals are introduced to the groups.

How does metritis occur?

Metritis is an inflammation of the uterus (uterine cavity and entire uterine wall), and is generally caused by bacterial infection. The detection of purulent discharge uterine discharge >21 days after calving is classified as clinical endometritis. The deeper layers of the uterus are not affected by endometritis.

What is the cause of metritis?

Metritis is a result of a severe inflammation involving all layers of the uterus (endometrial mucosa and submucosa, muscularis, and serosa). It generally develops during the first week after calving and is associated with dystocia, RFM, and calving trauma.

What is the treatment of metritis?

Because of the infectious nature, antibiotics are considered beneficial for the treatment of acute puerperal metritis. Each use of an antimicrobial drug, however, is associated with selective pressure for eventual emergence of resistant bacteria.

Can you breed a mare with PSSM?

Thus any time a horse with PSSM1 is bred there is a minimum chance of 50% of an affected foal being born even if the selected mate is completely normal. The risk of producing an affected offspring when breeding a horse with PSSM1 is much higher because it is a dominant disease.

What is the most common cause of infertility in the mare?

Endometritis, a common cause of infertility in mares.

How do you prevent EHV in horses?

How Can I Protect Against EHV? The vaccines available for EHV are the best defense we have. Another important way to prevent infection is through proper biosecurity procedures such as quarantine of exposed horses, disinfection of handlers and equipment, and testing.

Is magnesium Good for PSSM horses?

The more in the cells the more calcium receptors are blocked. This prevents proper nerve function and prevents proper muscle contraction and relaxation. So magnesium has found an important role in the management of PSSM horses because it can help prevent tying up and can help recovery.

Can horses with PSSM eat grass?

Forage and feed choices for PSSM horses are centered on minimizing sugar and starch intake. Forage requirements. Forage can be supplied as pasture, hay, or hay alternatives such as pellets or cubes. Well-maintained pastures should contain low-sugar grasses and few legumes (clover, alfalfa or lucerne).

When do PSSM symptoms start?

Some horses with type 1 PSSM are asymptomatic, but most horses with the genetic defect will begin to show signs of PSSM by six years of age. Valberg cautioned that the signs of PSSM can begin as early as one year of age and as late as the mid-teens.

How do you get rid of bacterial infection in horses?

The best way to treat a bacterial infection is to physically get rid of the organisms and to change the environment where they are attempting to grow. For an open wound, this means cleaning the area, creating drainage, getting rid of dead tissue and perhaps applying local antiseptics.

Can strangles be passed to humans?

Transmission to Humans.
In rare cases, humans have contracted infections from the bacteria that cause Strangles. To prevent human infection, people caring for horses with Strangles should avoid getting any nasal or abscess discharge from the horse on their eyes, nose, or mouth.