Sarah Evers Conrad reviews more common infectious and noninfectious causes of equine abortion. Abortion can be a devastating emotional and financial blow to a horse owner. To add insult, pathogens frequently cause abortion storms in facilities containing multiple mares. Source: The Horse, January 15, 2019. Link. Understanding the cause of an abortion can help breeders … [Read more...]
What equine DVMs say about core vaccinations
Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA, helps support horse owner education with this Zoetis sponsored article. Consider it for social media posts, e-newletters and website content. The high mortality rate, human risk, and vaccine efficacy have led veterinarians to identify five vaccines they consider “core:” West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, tetanus, and … [Read more...]
33 dos and don’ts for equine colic
“Any horse has the ability to experience colic,” states Dr. Michael N. Fugaro. “The disorder is indiscriminate of age, sex, breed, occupation, or environment.” The term “colic” refers to abdominal pain rather than a specific disorder. Conditions that commonly cause colic include gas, impaction, grain overload, sand ingestion, and parasite infection. Marcia King offers dos and … [Read more...]
Tips for traveling with horses
Traveling with a horse comes with multiple challenges, so it’s important to be prepared. Here are five tips to share with horse owners via social media, websites and targeted communications. Plan Your Route (and Your Breaks) Ahead of Time Know What Documentation You Need Practice Makes Perfect Keep Your Trailer in Tip-Top Shape Know the Hidden Health Risks of … [Read more...]
Equine influenza: know the threat
“Equine influenza is the second most common virus in horses, following equine herpesvirus-4,” says Dr. Nicola Pusterla, an internal medicine specialist at the University of California - Davis. “Young horses and older horses are more susceptible,” he says, “And infection would depend a bit on the (virus) strain too. Of horses exposed to the virus, a very high percentage will … [Read more...]
Differentiating Cushing’s and EMS
There is no ideal, one-size-fits-all testing method to differentiate between these two diseases, says Kelsey Hart, DVM. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, or equine Cushing’s disease) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) are by far the most common endocrine disorders in horses. In fact, a recent study results suggest that up to 30 percent of horses of some breeds … [Read more...]
Protect horses and owners from leptospirosis
It is important for horse owners to understand the risk of leptospirosis to their horses, pets and themselves. Diane Rice discusses Lepto sp. in this worthwhile article. Consider it for websites, newsletters, social media posts and materials for riding clubs, stables or 4-H and FFA groups. Source: The Horse. Link. Leptospirosis is the most common zoonotic disease worldwide, … [Read more...]
EHV-1 has horse owners on high alert
North Dakota and South Dakota recently confirmed cases of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form of EHV-1), a potentially fatal and reportable disease. Addressing the risk, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health issued warnings and is offering equine biosecurity tips for owners traveling with horses. Source: The Horse, May 3, 2018. Link. Horse owners … [Read more...]
Bony changes in the equine neck
Neck pain and stiffness are common problems in performance horses. Scientists recently showed that even horses without obvious signs of neck pain or stiffness might have abnormal bony changes there. Older and taller horses had an increased prevalence and severity of disease in the research. Source: The Horse, April 3, 2018. (Link) In the study, “Characterization of Bony … [Read more...]
Street nails: an equine emergency
Nails or other objects that have punctured the bottom of a horse’s hoof, sometimes called street nails, require careful veterinary inspection. Veterinarians should only remove a nail after he or she has thoroughly evaluated the its location in the hoof and collected radiographs, if necessary. It is important to determine if there is any involvement with deeper structures of the … [Read more...]
Incorporating equine learning principles in the veterinary practice
To help veterinary team members reduce fear and problem behaviors while promoting positive veterinary care, Robin Foster, PhD, CAAB, CHBC, described behavior modification techniques based on principles of equine learning at the 2017 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention. Incorporating learning principles into equine practice all starts with addressing the … [Read more...]
Manage anxious horses
The Horse staff talked to veterinarians, researchers and equine professionals about causes of anxious behavior in horses. They sought solutions to improve safety for horses, riders and bystanders. Here are possible causes the professionals shared: The horse's vision is compromised The horse is in pain The horse's tack doesn't fit The diet is out of whack The … [Read more...]
Horse wellness and medical coverage options expanding
Equine insurance policies have historically been used by sport and breeding horse owners. That changed this June when the Crum & Foster Pet Insurance Group began offering American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Pet Health Insurance to owners of horses that do not hold a high monetary value. Source: The Horse, July 31, 2017. There are many owners who … [Read more...]
The science behind equine boots and bandages
There is little research about the inner workings of the equine leg when wraps and boots are applied. It is a growing field that needs more research before we fully understand it. Source: The Horse, May 2017, (partial access only). Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA went to some of today’s top equine biomechanics researchers to get a better grasp on the science of the wrap and to … [Read more...]
VCPR critical for horse health
Stephanie Church reminds her readers that individual horses are unique and that having a good relationship with a veterinarian is essential in managing its health. She warns against using leftover prescriptions, as well. This article would be good content for clinic websites and newsletters. Source: The Horse, February 7, 2017. I’m fortunate enough to see the VCPR work as … [Read more...]
Microchips required
Microchipping is becoming prevalent, if not required throughout the horse world. It is not for locating missing horses. Rather, competitive organizations and breed registries are now requiring it for ease of identifying individual horses. Source: The Horse, January 10, 2017. (tiered access). The entire process, including the price of the microchip, usually costs less than … [Read more...]
Equine WNV Diagnoses Increasing
Horses in three states recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV): two in New York, one in Oklahoma and five in Wisconsin, according to officials at the Equine Disease Communications Center. Source: The Horse, September 13, 2016. In addition to vaccinations, horse owners also need to reduce the mosquito populations and their possible breeding areas. Recommendations … [Read more...]
Exploring the equine biome
Researchers are working to better understand the role of various species of microorganisms throughout the equine intestinal system. The collective groups of microbes, their genomes and how they interact is referred to as the microbiome. Source: The Horse, August 2016, page 26. Studying the equine intestinal microbiome is important because horses are hindgut fermenters," … [Read more...]
The ABC’s of regenerative medicine for horses
Stem cell therapy can help a horse's body repair diseased or damaged tissues. Veterinarians have come far in understanding and using regenerative medicine. Yet, they have more to learn about how and when to use it. Source: The Horse, July 2016. (article summary only). The full article includes explanatory graphics. Regenerative medicine has been referred to by many people … [Read more...]
Stressful stalls?
Summary: Even though horses may appear more comfortable in a stall than in a group setting, one study indicates that physiological stress indicators may tell a different story. This article presents what the best housing option might be. Source: The Horse. Individual stabling systems have developed partially out of convenience and partially out of a mistaken understanding … [Read more...]
EPM-causing parasites more common that thought
Summary: The parasites causing equine protozoal myeloencephalitis are ubiquitous in U.S. horses, yet fewer than one percent of the horses that carry one or both of the parasites develop clinical symptoms of EPM. Find out more about these parasites and which horses may be more predisposed to EPM. Source: The Horse. Horses cannot catch EPM from each other; rather, they’re … [Read more...]
Prepurchase exams: What to expect.
Summary: Prepurchase exams are common when horses are sold. They help buyers feel confident that the horse they are considering will be up to the task(s) they intend to use them for. Just remember, these exams do not guarantee future soundness. They are snapshots of the horses’ condition at the current time. This article highlights what goes into proper prepurchase … [Read more...]
Over-supplementing horses can cause problems
Horses get all of the minerals they need from good quality forage and/or a balanced commercial ration. Over-supplementing them can cause a lack of absorption of necessary nutrients in the small intestine. It should be avoided. Source: The Horse Over-supplementation can lead to problems with proper absorption and nutrient balance. Good quality forage contains many essential … [Read more...]
Equine vaccination Q and A
Horse owners have questions about vaccines. Nancy Loving, DVM addresses common questions from magazine readers in this article. Veterinary teams, dealers and representatives will find value in understanding the horse owner perspectives. The questions remind us that our knowledge when not shared leaves our customers with questions. Source: The Horse, March 2016, page 16. … [Read more...]
Ensure equine dewormers are efficacious
According to the recent study, Efficacy of major anthelmintics for reduction of fecal shedding of strongyle-type eggs in horses in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States published in Veterinary Parasitology odds are high that some commercially available dewormers – fenbendazole, oxibendazole, and pyrantel pamoate – showed poor efficacy on the majority of farms … [Read more...]
Three must-reads from ‘The Horse’
This issue is well done, diverse and interesting. It reflects the partnerships with AAEP and AAVT. Horse owners won’t toss it away. It starts with the drive-to-work observations of Stephanie Church, editor-in-chief, who notes how easily interspecies contact can muddle our best prevention efforts. If you deal with horse owners in any capacity, this issue is a keeper. Source: … [Read more...]
The new navicular paradigm
Navicular disease has gained well-deserved attention in the past two years. Lameness is a challenge for horse owners and veterinarians, regardless of what it is called. This article sets the stage for more comprehensive treatment of navicular disease and lameness. Equine veterinary teams and sales personnel servicing them will benefit from reading this story and discussing how … [Read more...]