What is Rhodococcus (R Equi)?

R Equi is an intracellular pathogen that is found in the soil on most farms. The VapA gene present in the bacteria causes disease seen in foals from one to five months of age. The risk of infection is much higher on larger farms with a large amount of movement. The condition can be transmitted via inhalation or infected foals manure will also carry the disease. Some foals will have the disease without any symptoms, others can become very sick and require veterinary intervention.