Living diagnostics

Have you ever been in a situation where you were not able to distinguish a simple cough from a real disease which could have dramatic outcomes for a horse and potentially contaminate the whole herd? When suspicion arises, the initial diagnostic relies on a precise examination by a veterinarian and an early pathogen identification through diagnosis. Good hygiene protocols for both the individual and the collective, and adapted treatment are needed as well. These two pillars play a critical role in safeguarding the health and well-being of our equine companions, as well as preventing potential economic losses and maintaining the overall stability of equine communities.

If you already had a sick horse, you know the situation can escalate quickly. At the first signs of a respiratory disease, distinguishing a simple cough from a severe infection which will evolve into respiratory distress, and even the appearance of neurologic symptoms can be a challenge. These seemingly inoffensive symptoms can signify a much more critical issue. If not detected in time and treated correctly, a respiratory disease can be disabling for your horse for its entire life, damaging its health along with its sportive carrier.

Following their introduction over half a century ago, Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have played an invaluable role in caring for patients who are critically ill or seriously injured. However, infections such as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a common problem in the ICU, resulting in the frequent use and sometimes overuse of life-saving antibiotics in those settings. While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a process that naturally occurs over time, it is important to note that the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, even when utilized in intensive care environments, is contributing to the further emergence of resistant pathogens.

Antibiotics have proven to be essential, life-saving medicines. However, their misuse and overuse have become widespread, contributing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).1 Today, patients are at risk of premature death due to AMR, and we are in a race to protect modern medicine.