A perpetually anxious horse can be helped with some simple management changes. The author offers tips for helping a horse relax including: More frequent exercise Examine the horse’s environment Provide more turnout Source: EQUUS, September 24, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
The 24 behaviors of the ridden horse in pain: Changing how lameness is seen (video)
A documentary from Sue Dyson, Vet MB PhD, challenges the way to look at bad behaviors in horses and promotes the notion that lameness doesn’t start at the head bob. The film follows Dyson and Jim Myers, DVM, as they examine and diagnose a show jumper mare Galina, who not obviously lame, seemed increasingly unhappy under saddle. The film educates horse lovers on how to spot the … [Read more...]
Industry’s commitment to CE increases value of animal care
Commentary The animal health industry is generous with support resources. Thank you! I’ve lost count of the continuing education credit opportunities offered in the veterinary market. My last look showed 25 new programs were offered in September. This doesn’t include innumerable podcasts and YouTube videos being promoted, nor does it account for myriad free CE programs … [Read more...]
Consumer education critical in retail
Opinion Writing about the need to help pet consumers make product choices, Kathleen Sturgeon notes that CBD and hemp products are now in most pet stores. Despite all the claims, it is hard for pet owners to know which products will help their pets. Helping them understand the science behind the products will help. This also applies to the plethora of items offered in any OTC … [Read more...]
Make fire prevention a priority during National Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Prevention Week is October 9 – 15. This Farm Progress article is a timely reminder about fire risks and fire safety from an on-farm perspective. There are plenty of in-town risks, as well. Be sure to remove debris from air ducts and around HVAC units and keep outdoor break areas clutter-free. Fire extinguishers should be checked annually. The most important … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 6, 2022
Last week’s most read posts - The meaning behind different dog sounds. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 29, 2022. Link. Can veterinary social workers help alleviate workplace stress? Source: Paulick Report, September 30, 2022. Link. Veterinary social work offers compassion, empathy, understanding, validation, … [Read more...]
Annual Comedy Pet Photo Awards sure to bring a chuckle
There’s no better group than animal health pros with whom to share these images. Our dedication to animal owners and the health of their animals deserves a few minutes to enjoy the images captured for this year’s Comedy Pet Photo Awards. Source: Treehugger, September 22, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Why horses seek shelter
A Swedish study suggests that horses head for run-in sheds to avoid insects rather than to seek respite from the sun. The data revealed that five of the seven horses who entered a shelter during the study period had a clear preference for the three-sided shelter over the open structure. Source: EQUUS, August 14, 2022. Link. The researchers noted a significant drop in … [Read more...]
The blanket rule for blanketing horses
The onset of cooler weather often has horse owners trying to determine if their animals need blankets. Some horses do well without blankets, others need a bit more warmth occasionally and then there are some that never get comfortable with weather changes, hot or cold. . . . there is only one blanket rule for blanketing horses: it depends.” - Kathy Farrokhzad Source: Horse … [Read more...]
Idaho liability case serves as a warning when using contracted labor
Before a contracted laborer gets injured, it is important to consider liability issues. Paige Carlson shares details from an Idaho Supreme Court ruling. The court unanimously ruled that a livestock transportation broker was the statutory employer of a contracted driver injured while attempting to load a cow onto a truck for delivery. Source: Drovers, September 23, 2022. … [Read more...]
7 arthritis risk factors
Virtually any horse who lives long enough will develop a bit of creakiness in at least one joint, writes Christine Barakat. She offers a rundown of events and conditions that put horses in a higher risk category for the eventual development of arthritis. Barakat’s comments about reviewing a horse’s past and present situation reminds us it is time for fall wellness exams, the … [Read more...]
Capsule camera allows an inside look at horses
Fascinating! Looking inside a horse’s intestinal tract may soon be as simple as getting him to swallow a tiny camera, waiting for it to pass through his digestive system and then downloading the images it captures along the way, shares Christine Barakat. Source: EQUUS, September 9, 2022. Link. Images captured by capsule cameras were clear and useful, showing all major … [Read more...]
The impending equine health care crisis
The supply of equine veterinarians is diminishing rapidly writes Emma Read, DVM, MVSc, Dipl. ACVS. She shares ways horse owners can help. Asking for help from our clients is not a comfortable position for . . . many horse doctors. Clients play a huge role in the much-needed transformation of equine practice. We can’t do it without them working together for horses.” Source: … [Read more...]
The physiology of rolling and rising
Rising from the ground may be a commonplace activity for horses, but it’s still one of the most complex, athletic feats they perform. Getting back on his feet takes strength and coordination and some disorders can affect a horse’s ability to return to upright. Source: EQUUS, August 25, 2022. Link. Do not use any sort of mechanical device in raising the hindquarters, pull on … [Read more...]
Meeting the needs of the elder horse
Includes Sponsored Content In this issue of EQUUS Extra, seven key management challenges presented by advancing horse age are discussed. The intention is to increase the chances of an aging horse enjoying a longer, healthy and productive life. The key is to remain vigilant to subtle changes in their demeanor and condition and to catch developing issues before they grow out … [Read more...]
Horse tail issues easy to miss
Despite routine grooming, the underside of a horse’s tail is easy to miss. It’s a target area for ticks, skin irritations as well as melanoma tumors. Even if a horse’s tail appears healthy, look at the underside occasionally to look for ticks <or irritation>. – EQUUS editors Source: EQUUS, June 20, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Concise articles like this one are good content … [Read more...]
Ferrets provide rodent control in horse barns
Jagger and Slim Jim provide an unconventional form of rodent control at Amira Chichakly’s Saratoga barn. Source: Paulick Report, August 29, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Location, activities determine fall vaccine needs
Elizabeth Davis, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, presents the AAEP’s vaccine guidelines as fall approaches and horses get boosters or vaccines for the first time. She emphasizes the importance of core vaccines, plus evaluating risk-based inoculations based on lifestyle, geography, planned travel and more. Source: The Horse, August 25, 2022. Link. Consider all factors that keep horses … [Read more...]
PET scans help determine if horses are sound enough to run, or not
Positron emission tomography (PET) produces particularly detailed three-dimensional images. The technology was first developed for humans in 1974 is most used to detect the presence and spread of cancer. The sesamoid bone is of high interest for us because the majority of breakdowns that happen are due to fracture of this little bone at the back of the ankle, the sesamoid … [Read more...]
Checking a horse for sand (video)
One of the reasons causing a horse to be skinny could be sand in its stomach. Mike Hughes demonstrates how to float horse manure to determine if sand is part of the problem. Source: Mike Hughes Horsemanship. Link. … [Read more...]
Buyers guide to halters
Not every halter is going to suit an owner’s management style and handling philosophy any more than every halter is going to fit your horse’s head just perfectly, writes Joanne Meszoly. She shares the features, functions and benefits of various halters noting all halters don’t serve all control needs equally well. The bottom line of halter selection is a horse’s safety and … [Read more...]
Knowing what equine lab tests to take can speed diagnoses
Kimberly S. Brown discusses lab testing with Toby Pinn-Woodcock, DVM, DACVIM, in this episode or Disease Du Jour. The objective is to help veterinarians in the field better understand which samples to send to the lab to help diagnose a sick horse. Knowing what samples to take, how to store them properly and how quickly they need to get to a lab is critical in learning more … [Read more...]
Dechra Pharmaceuticals acquires Med-Pharmex
Dechra Pharmaceuticals (LSE: DPH) has acquired Med-Pharmex Inc. Med-Pharmex is a leading veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Pomona, California. The total consideration paid was US$260.0 million on a debt-free and cash-free basis and was subject to normal closing adjustments. Source: NewsnReleases, August 30, 2022. Link. I am delighted that we have completed the … [Read more...]
September is National Preparedness Month
To help get ready for National Preparedness Month, The American Veterinary Medical Foundation created a downloadable guide to disaster preparedness, Saving the Whole Family. No one is immune from a natural or man-made disaster. Planning and preparation are critical to ensure the well-being of you, your family and your animals. Source: American Veterinary Medical … [Read more...]
KCAHC #AHSummit22 exceeds expectations
Kudos to the KCAHC team; Corridor committee; Spencer Breithaupt, Chairman; panel participants; speakers and presenting companies. Congratulations to: Scott Campbell, DVM, who was awarded KCAHC Iron Paw <Link> Vidium Animal Health for being selected as the 2022 Innovation Award recipient for @vidiumah which provides veterinarians and pet owners more tools to manage … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 25, 2022
Last week’s most read post Confronting your biases (video). Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 18, 2022. Link. =================================== Help bring the dairy farm into the classroom Source: Discover Dairy. Link. The Adopt-a-Cow opportunity for this year closes on September 15th so there’s still time to let … [Read more...]
Ringworm can easily be mistaken for girth gall
Girth gall is commonly associated with dirty tack and poorly groomed horses. But even horses with the cleanest tack get sores. Sometimes these are ringworm, not poor skin care. Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal skin infection that is easily passed from horse to horse on shared equipment. It can also be passed by a rider’s boots, which would rest on the horse just behind … [Read more...]
Keep horses’ feet healthy with these tips
Horse feet? Hooves to most. Regardless, the health of those four appendages makes or breaks the value and life quality of a horse. Horse and Rider shares three articles on hoof health, care and whether to shoe or not. Consider sharing these articles with horse owners on social media, in newsletters and with equine hobby groups. Sources: Why hoof cracks happen, Horse and … [Read more...]
Ultrasound screening shows potential for early bucked shin diagnoses
Tiny stress fractures and new bone formations occur in racehorses’ legs as they enter training at about two years old. This condition, called bucked shin, occurs in about 70 percent of the animals, leading to pain and delays in training schedules. Japanese researchers developed a method to screen for bucked shin using ultrasound instead of traditionally disruptive X-ray … [Read more...]
Equine joint injections: case by case
It’s well known that horse medicine is practiced on a per horse basis. When considering joint injections, the approach can be complicated by a horse’s age, purpose and health. Chris White, DVM, shares how veterinarians approach various scenarios. While joint injection techniques are well-documented, the tricky part is what goes into the syringe. Gone are the days of simple … [Read more...]