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24.01.2022 Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT) Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice The superficial flexor tendon is readily visible as ...it runs down the back of the cannon bone close to the skin. It originates at the superficial flexor muscle just behind the elbow on the medial humeral epicondyle in the front legs and from the proximal tibia near the stifle in the rear limbs. It inserts on the middle phalanx, where it flexes the proximal and middle phalangeal joints, and stabilizes metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) joint. The SDFT arises from the superficial digital flexor muscle at the level of the carpus. Above the carpus, the tendon combines with the proximal accessory ligament (superior check ligament). The tendon runs distally on the caudal aspect of the limb, running through the carpal canal to the metacarpus. The SDFT and DDFT run within a synovial structure termed the carpal sheath. Just proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint, the SDFT forms a ring-like structure which wraps around the DDFT. This structure is known as the manica flexoria. From the distal metacarpus to the level of the middle phalanx, the SDFT and DDFT are enclosed by another synovial structure, the digital sheath. The SDFT divides into two branches at the distal end of the proximal phalanx. The branches insert on the lateral and medial eminences of the middle phalanx, a minority of fibers also insert on the lateral aspect of the proximal phalanx. The superficial digital flexor tendon is a major component of the common calcaneal tendon in the hind limb, which forms part of the reciprocal apparatus. The SDFT arises from the superficial digital flexor muscle in the proximal/mid-tibial region and passes around the gastrocnemius tendon caudally. At the point of the hock, the SDFT widens to form a cap over the calcanea tuberosity (point of the hock). The calcaneal bursa is a synovial fluid-filled space formed between the calcaneal tuberosity and the SDFT. Distal to the calcaneus, the SDFT continues as arranged in the thoracic limb to its point of insertion on the middle phalanx. In contrast to the thoracic limb, there is no accessory ligament of the SDFT in the pelvic limb. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
24.01.2022 Cleaning the Genital Tract of Horses Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice All male horses should have their sheaths (prepuce) clea...ned at least twice per year. All the debris that builds up in the prepuce can potentially cause transformation of epithelial cells to squamous cell carcinoma; sunlight is thought to cause many skin cancers, but obviously the sheath does not get a lot of sun up inside, and so smegma is thought to lead to cancer in some chronically dirty male horses. Oh, and, cleaning the penis is not cleaning the sheath! There is lots of skin folded up inside that must be cleaned, requiring your entire hand, wrist, and part of your arm will fit up inside the sheath. Sheath cleaning is done with sedation, unless you have a very cooperative horse that will drop the penis out of the prepuce and allow thorough cleansing. Unless this happens, the structures cannot be adequately cleaned or checked. Most male horses do not like being checked for a ‘bean’ in the urethral fossa. Cleaning with water, KY jelly, Dawn dish soap, and other disinfectants are usually adequate. We use chlorhexidine scrub to break up the debris. Chlorhexidine also has some residual activity against bacteria. There is, however, a normal microbial population which should not be too disrupted for fear of leading to fungal infection in the prepuce. The penis and prepuce should be checked for masses such as squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. At the same time, stallions should have the scrotum palpated; there should be two testicles of same size, shape and consistency. Abscesses are soft, painful swellings; hematomas are soft, non-painful swellings. Also look for tumors, infections, or hernias. The same can be said for mares and fillies: check the vulva for discharge and masses. Check the udder for mastitis, especially in mares currently nursing foals. The udder should also be checked for masses and should be cleaned at least monthly. The debris that collects between the two sides of the udder (mammary glands) may at the least be uncomfortable and at the worst can also develop skin cancer in this region. Most mares can be taught to stand quietly while being cleaned. A few may require sedation, especially if they have not been cleaned for long periods of time. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
19.01.2022 Hot Weather Care for Horses Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Horse owners need to consider management practices for horses dur...ing hot and especially hot and humid weather. When horses exercise, heat is generated, elevating the body temperature. There are mechanisms in place to allow dissipation of heat, mainly sweating, but also superficial vasculature dilatation. Sweating allows heat removal via evaporation, but when humid conditions occur with very hot temperatures, the sweat cannot evaporate, and heat dissipation is compromised. The same is true of vasculature dilatation; although the superficial blood vessels dilate and more hot blood is brought to the surface, hot temperatures prevent heat loss- heat from the body needs cooler temperatures outside for heat loss to occur. When the sum of outside temperature plus the relative humidity is below 130 (e.g., 70 F with 50% humidity), most horses can keep their body cool. The exception will be very muscular or fat horses. When the sun temperature and humidity exceeds 150 (e.g., 85 F and 90% humidity), it is hard for a horse to keep cool. If the humidity contributes over half of the 150, it compromises the horse’s ability to sweat a major cooling mechanism. When the combination of temperature and humidity exceeds 180 (e.g., 95 F and 90% humidity), the horse’s cooling system is almost ineffectual. At this stage, exercise can only be maintained for a short time without the animal’s body temperature especially in the muscles rising to dangerous levels. Very little cooling takes place even if the horse is sweating profusely. When the horse’s body temperature reached 105 F, the blood supply to the muscles begin to shut down. After this occurs, the blood supply to the intestines and kidneys also shut down. The blood supply to the brain and heart are spared until last, but severe and permanent damage may have already taken place. Signs of heatstroke may include the following: 1). Temperature as high as 103 to 107 F 2). Rapid breathing, rapid pulse 3). Stumbling, weakness, depression 4). Refusal to eat or work 5). Dry skin and dehydration 6).With severe cases, a horse may collapse or go into convulsions or a coma Horse owners can help their horses cool by employing four management practices. These include good ventilation, encouraging water intake, carefully planned exercise, and actively observing for signs of heat stress. One way to help horses get through hot weather is to ensure that barns are adequately ventilated. This can be done by opening doors and windows. Fans can also be used to increase air flow. A fan over each stall will move air directly over the horse. Fans with mist attachments can also be used, but may not provide any additional benefit to a regular fan in humid areas. Assuring adequate water intake is critical. On average a 1,000 lb horse needs 8 to 10 gallons of fresh water per day. As the air temperature increases, even non-exercising horses sweat and consume more water. When temperatures excede 70F, adult horses may consume 20 to 25 gallons of water per day; exercising horses will consume up to double this amount. An owner can encourage the horse to drink water by providing salt blocks or loose salt in the feed. Horses should be offered fresh water frequently and have access to water at all times. It is also advisable to offer an additional bucket containing commercially available horse electrolyte solutions mixed with water; however, the provision of plain, fresh water is always required when electrolyte water is offered. This can be beneficial especially if the horse is losing electrolytes through sweating; however, some horses will not willingly drink electrolyte solutions mixed with water so an alternative water source should be made available. An additional management practice to decrease heat stress is avoiding exercise during the hottest time of the day; typically from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Turn horses out to pasture at night, especially if the pasture is lacking shade. Notify your veterinarian immediately if any signs of heat stroke are observed. Before your veterinarian arrives owners should provide frequent small amounts of cool water for the horse to drink. Electrolytes may also be given orally. If possible stand the horse in the shade and/or in front of a fan. In order to cool the body, ice or cold hose the major blood vessels. The vessels that should be iced are the jugular veins, the major veins that run down both sides of the neck; the veins on the inside of the front of the legs and the large veins on the inside the back legs. Ice packs or cold water from a hose will cool down the blood as it circulates through the body. It acts as the antifreeze and cooling system as it circulates. Avoid icing the large major muscles of the loin and hind end. These muscles are already lacking blood circulation and may make the condition worse. You may ice the forehead since the brain contains the temperature control center for the body, and this will help to cool the horse. In severe cases, intravenous fluid therapy is necessary to treat dehydration, electrolyte loss and shock. Alcohol baths (isopropyl) can also be helpful to lower elevated body temperatures. When using water to cool a horse, heat is escaping by convection, which means the water will heat up quickly, and can actually worsen the overheating. Cold water should be almost immediately scraped off to remove the heated water. Water on top of the heated water simply slides off, with no cooling at all, as the skin surface is now slick. So spray or sponge, scrape, and repeat. This will cool the horse quickly, and use less water than simply running the hose over the horse. The application of very cold water in this manner will not cause muscle cramping because it is not in contact with the body long enough. Once you have initiated first-aid, continue to take and record the horse’s rectal temperature every 15 minutes until the veterinarian arrives. In severe cases it may be necessary for your veterinarian to administer intravenous fluids to combat dehydration and electrolyte imbalances associated with heat exhaustion. Your veterinarian also will consider the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as flunixin meglumine or phenylbutazone to aid in patient well-being and to aid in the reduction of elevated body temperature. In summary, owners should understand what they can do to avoid heat stress in their horses and to recognize the signs of heat stress so that prompt veterinary care can be provided when necessary. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
18.01.2022 Sleep Deprivation in Horses Brian S. Burks DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board-Certified in Equine Practice As remarkable as sleep deprivation in horses may seem it is not ra...re. These horses are unable to get enough paradoxical and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the deepest forms of slumber. To understand sleep deprivation it is necessary to review the three distinct phases of equine sleep. First is deep restfulness phase during which a horse is relaxed but still easily roused. Next slow wave sleep begins: During this phase the horse is even more relaxed but still has some muscle tone and his brain waves charted on an electroencephalogram (EEG) are slow and large. Both of these stages can occur while the horse is standing. Finally a horse may enter paradoxical sleep so named because the brain is just as active during this phase of slumber as it is during wakefulness. REM sleep, characterized by rapid movement of the eyes under closed eyelids, occurs during this period. Before entering the paradoxical phase of sleep, horses will awaken for a moment in the intermediate phase, check out the safety of the environment, and then lie down. The horse will again enter deep restfulness, then slow wave sleep, and then, if comfortable in the environment, go into paradoxical sleep either lying on its side or tucking its head to the side. In the paradoxical phase of sleep, rapid eye movements, loss of reflexes and muscle function, and increased brain activity occur. A horse snoozing with one hind leg hitched up may be in the deep restfulness or slow wave sleep phase but to achieve paradoxical sleep the muscles of the body are completely relaxed and he must lie down. People need about two to three hours of paradoxical [REM] sleep daily. Horses in contrast need from 30 to 60 minutes per day. Horses do not have daily sleep cycles like people do, so they may not need to have paradoxical sleep every day. On the other hand they can go only so long without getting REM sleep. There is a traditional thought that horses can get all the sleep they need standing upthat is simply not true. Horses can usually go about seven to 14 days without paradoxical sleep but after that they begin to that show clinical signs of sleep deprivation. Some horses, however, seem to be able to go far longer. Although the signs may seem similar, sleep deprivation is unrelated to narcolepsy a condition characterized by frequent and uncontrollable periods of deep sleep. Narcolepsy is a specific neurological problem in which horses slip nearly instantly into paradoxical sleep and REM without the usual preceding period of slow wave sleep. They collapse to the ground and they don't catch themselves. This is usually in response to some sort of stress, excitement, or exercise. The horses described as sleep deprived are simply exhausted. A few days in a comfortable environment where horses can get paradoxical sleep is usually the cure. Physical Causes: When it Hurts to Sleep Equine sleep deprivation can have a variety of physical causes. Older horses for example may simply be unable to lie down to sleep. The physical exam revealed no significant health problems, other than osteoarthritis. Owners often have not seen the horse roll for some time. A trial of phenylbutazone may fix the underlying issues, or the joints may need to be injected with corticosteroids and/or sodium hylauronate. Once anti-inflammatory medication has been given for a few days, comfort is reached, the horses lie down, they get paradoxical sleep, and the episodes stop. Other cases of pain-related sleep deprivation aren't so simple. Mysterious weight loss may begin. The physical examination may only have one significant finding: two small scars and hair loss over the front fetlocks. When monitored closely, the horse may seem to partially collapse, the horse may catch himself after scratching the fetlocks. They may even buckle at the carpi (knees) causing wounds on those joints. Cases of enteroliths causing sleep deprivation have been described. When there are multiple stones, they may hit each other, causing discomfort. In other cases intestinal adhesions may stretch the intestine, causing pain when the horse tries to lay down. Mental Causes: Too Much Stimulation Emotional discomfort or stress, rather than physical pain may keep a horse from getting adequate rest. The environment may have been changed in some way. Sometimes too many horses, or being alone may cause stress and therefore sleep deprivation. Some horses need a strong female presence in the herd in order to feel comfortable enough to sleep. Equine society is very matriarchal. Mares are responsible for the day-to-day well-being of the herd and act as sentinels watching over other horses as they rest. Males can fill this role, but in general this is a mare's job. There have actually been studies that show that horses will look to the nearest mare before they lie down. These horses feel safer knowing that a mare is on lookout. They do not seem to trust geldings or even stallions as much. In fact, the practice of separating mares and geldings into different fields may lead to very tired geldings. Sometimes adding horses to a group may change the dynamic. The new horse may chase or harass another in some way, causing stress and thus sleep deprivation. This may make them disagreeable to handle or ride. Identifying Sleep Troubles These types of cases illustrate the need to consider sleep deprivation as a possible cause of apparent collapse or perhaps other unexplained sluggishness. Many horses may be diagnosed with EPM or HYPP, or some other disorder, when they are really just sleep deprived. There are three basic questions to help identify otherwise healthy horses who are suffering from sleep deprivation. 1. Have you seen your horse roll lately? If the answer is "no" or the owner cannot recall, then an investigation into the possibility of musculoskeletal or abdominal pain should begin. If the owner says "yes," then investigate behavioral issues. 2. Has anything changed in the horse's social situation? "If pain is not the cause, we turn to the social setting. The goal is to identify why the horse might not feel comfortable enough to lie down. Often, adding another horse to the herd or removing an aggressive animal fixes the problem: you have to experiment with groupings and the environment a bit and give it a few days after each change to see how it works. The horse's physical surroundings are also a consideration. Maybe the horse needs a bigger stall more bedding or even a different horse in the next stall to be comfortable. 3. Is the horse's environment noisy or somehow disturbing? Road repair or overhead electrical lines may cause stress and the horse will not lie down. In that case, moving the horse to a paddock farther away from the construction may solve the problem. Whether the disturbance is during the night or day is of little consequence, because a horse's sleep patterns are not dependent upon time of day. The trial-and-error process involved in resolving sleep deprivation problems can take a few weeks but when you hit upon the solution the results are remarkable. In these cases the horses are just so relieved to finally be able to get some sleep. They may spend a few days 'catching up' and then go back to a normal sleep pattern. They are happier and healthier for it, which only makes sense: Who doesn't need and appreciate a good night's sleep or a good midday nap? Dr. Brian Burks, Dipl. ABVP is the owner/veterinarian at Fox Run Equine Center, a 24-hour medical-surgical center near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Equine Practice). This certifies him as an expert in all categories of equine practice. He enjoys the diagnostic and treatment challenges of internal medicine, neonatology, surgery, and ophthalmology. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com 724-727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the horse.
17.01.2022 Selenium in the Equine Diet Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Healthy horses require a balance of vitamins and minerals, most o...f which are ingested through grazing or consuming locally grown hay. In the northeast, one big exception to this rule involves the mineral selenium. This area is considered to be selenium deficient, which means the horses will not consume enough of this critical mineral if they just graze and are fed local hay. Selenium has a vital role in many bodily functions, including (but not restricted to): muscle health, tail and mane growth, thyroid activity and fertility. Selenium is essential for many cellular functions; fortunately, large doses of selenium causing toxicity are uncommon in the horse. The upper safe total intake of selenium per day, based on the most recent National Research Council publication, Nutrient Requirements of Horses, is 20 mg for an average 1,000-pound horse. Only 3 mg per day is required. Many horses get enough selenium (or even too much) just from their regular diet; for these horses, adding even as little as 5 mg selenium per day via supplements can cause mild signs of toxicity. Oxygen is required to fuel chemical reactions that produce energy, in the form of ATP- adenosine triphosphate. These reactions produce free radicals that can become toxic if not balanced by antioxidants. As the horse’s activity level increases, production of free radicals increases, and the need for antioxidants. Selenium is considered an antioxidant because it prohibits free radicals from damaging the cell membrane. It is commonly found in soil, groundwater, and plants. Selenium deficiency is more common than toxicity. Many areas of the United States produce selenium deficient forage including parts of the Pacific Northwest, the Northeast, the Great Lakes, and down the Eastern Seaboard into Florida. The clinical syndrome that results from selenium (and Vitamin E) deficiency is called white muscle disease. White muscle disease is a degenerative disease of skeletal and cardiac muscle. Young, rapidly growing animals are commonly affected, particularly when nursing a mare on a low selenium diet. The primary signs in young animals with white muscle disease are recumbency, rapid heart rates, failure to suckle, difficulty swallowing, and discolored (red to brown tinged) urine. Affected foals will develop gait abnormalities and will not be able to swallow normally. Laboratory tests are available to measure selenium, although it is difficult to ascertain accurately as there is so little selenium in the body. To determine selenium intake of from grazing, contact your local county extension agent and have your pastures analyzed for selenium content. Seleniferous (selenium-rich) soils are widespread throughout the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions of the western United States. High levels of selenium are commonly present in areas with arid climates (less than 20 inches of annual rainfall) and acidic soils that are developed from shale rock; however, the uptake of selenium in plants is dependent on the chemical form of selenium, soil pH, temperature, moisture, the plant species, and stage of its growth. Selenium toxicity can be acute or chronic; the latter is more common. It is most common when horses eat selenium concentrated plants that grow in soils with high selenium levels, such as those of the Great Plains or Rocky Mountains. At toxic levels, selenium is substituted for sulfur in sulfur-containing amino acids, altering keratinization of skin and hair. Chronic selenium toxicity causes hair loss of the mane and tail, cracking of the hooves, cracking and separation of the coronary band, lameness, excess salivation, and respiratory failure with progressive dyspnea. Hooves can eventually slough. Acute selenium toxicity causes staggers, blindness, labored breathing and dyspnea, muscle tremors, collapse, and death. Selenium status in horses can be measured using serum, plasma, or whole blood selenium levels. If you are concerned about selenium levels, consult a veterinarian for additional information on testing. Most selenium sources available are sodium selenite, a salt form of selenium. Although this form is absorbed by horses to some degree (enough to keep a lot of them happy and healthy), certain horses have difficulty utilizing this inorganic form. Selenium in its inorganic form is minimally absorbed by plants, whereas selenates, the organic form, are present in alkaline soils and are readily absorbed by plants and animals. Therefore, the analysis of selenium concentration in the soil alone is not a reliable predictor of selenium uptake by plants; one must look at the form and not just the amount. Some plants absorb and store more selenium from soil and water than others, making them toxic to livestock. These plants have adapted to grow only on seleniferous soils. Certain indicator plants may reveal high levels of soil-based selenium (such as locoweed) and are common in areas such as Colorado and New Mexico. Some of the commonly known accumulators are milkvetches, poison vetches, prince’s plume, and goldenweeds. Fortunately, they are not very palatable, and fed horses generally avoid such plants, which emit a garlic-sulfur odor. Different plants can grow in areas devoid of selenium, but when in selenium-rich areas, they also can store selenium in high concentrations. These plantsincluding curlycup, saltbushes, broom snakeweed, asters, and gumweedare more likely to cause selenium toxicity in horses because they are palatable; however, they become less palatable as levels of selenium uptake increase. Since grasses contain lower levels of selenium during the fall and winter months, seleniferous pastures should be used during those periods, and their use should be limited or avoided in spring and summer. Controlling plants that can take up high levels of selenium is also helpful in reducing the risk of selenium toxicity to horses. Most of these plants are broad-leaf weeds that can be killed by using pasture-safe herbicides such as Roundup. Many feeds and supplements contain selenium. It is important to read the labels and know how much selenium is in the diet. You should know where your hay originates and whether the soils there are deficient in selenium. Hay can be tested for its nutritive values. If your horse is eating a balanced diet of grains and forages, he probably consumes enough selenium to offset soil deficiencies. Definitive diagnosis of selenium toxicity or deficiency is made by history, clinical signs, and tissue analysis for selenium levels. Blood may also be used. Horses with toxicity should be removed from the selenium source and fed high protein diets rich in sulfur-containing amino acids and methionine. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
17.01.2022 Shivers and Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EP...SM, Shivers) is a neuromuscular disease characterized by jerky movements of the hind-limb, along with tail head elevation. Occasionally, there is generalized hypertonia and the thoracic limbs are affected. The disease is most common in draft horses, including Belgians, Percherons, Clydesdales, shires, Haflingers, Norwegian Fjord, Suffolk, Irish Draft, Draft crosses, and Draft Mule, but other breeds (Warmbloods, light horses) may be affected. While shivers can affect horses of any sex, geldings are three times more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than mares. Horses taller than 16.3 hands are also more susceptible than shorter horses. The majority of horses show signs before the age of five years. The incidence of EPSM in the draft horse population has been estimated to be 45-60%; however, one study of the prevalence of Shivers in Belgian Draft Horses found that 19% of horses examined had signs of Shivers. No investigation into estimates of the prevalence of Shivers in other breeds exists. While it is clear that certain breeds are more frequently affected than others, height is also a strong predictor of Shivers risk. The etiology of shivers is unknown, but is related to polysaccharide storage myopathy and stiff-horse syndrome, a new syndrome associated with severe muscle cramps. Horses with this latter syndrome may lack enough of the neurotransmitter glutamic acid decarboxylase. Horses with shivers have brain damage in a small area of the cerebellum, which regulates balance and muscular activity. The cerebellum regulates slow, learned movements, such as backing. Forward, faster gaits are regulated by separate spinal circuits, allowing affected horses to compete, even at high levels. Muscles of affected horses show a significant change in fast-twitch type IIX muscle fiber similar to that seen in horses in intensive training. While normal horses acquire these fiber changes through exercise, horses with shivers lack the off-switch the cerebellum normally provides for muscle contraction, causing the muscles to be constantly active. Shivers is breed related, so there may be a genetic disorder that has not yet been defined. Shivers should be distinguished from several diseases: Stringhalt results in more flexion and occurs when moving forward. Stringhalt has a spasmodic and excessively rapid flexion of one or both hind-limbs. The hocks are flexed violently and suddenly toward the abdomen and are brought forcibly to the ground in one quick movement. Severely, and bilaterally, affected horses have a ‘bunny hopping’ gait. Most strides are abnormal. Horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy may have generalized weakness, elevated creatine kinase (muscle enzyme) levels, and will have polysaccharide deposition into the muscles. Fibrotic myopathy results from scar tissue formation following injury to the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles. The gait is usually characterized by an abnormal slapping-type hind-limb gait with a lower arc of the limbs than seen with shivers or stringhalt. Horses with fibrotic myopathy can back normally. Adult Quarter horses are the most frequently affected breed. Stiff horse syndrome is characterized by intermittent stiffness and spasms in the back and pelvic limb muscles. There is muscular hypertrophy. The movements become more normal when walking more than a few steps, or during trotting. In people, stiff person syndrome is an immune-mediated deficiency of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. Clinical signs of EPSM can take two different forms: exercise associated muscle cramping, similar to exertional rhabdomyolysis or a progressive poor performance shivers with progressive muscle wasting, muscle weakness, recumbency, and death. Horses with exercise associated EPSM have polysaccharide deposits in muscle fibers. Horses with shivers have normal muscle enzymes and lack the deposits. The classic disease called Shivers is a gradually progressive, chronic neuromuscular disease in horses that is characterized by gait abnormalities when backing. Clinical signs of Shivers can be difficult to detect in mildly affected individuals, and because signs occur at irregular intervals. Affected horses show signs when being asked to back or turn, or when forced to step over an object. The affected limb will be partially flexed and abducted (held away from the body). The muscles of the upper limb and tail may quiver. They may stand base-wide or base-narrow instead of an even stance. Clinical signs usually resolve in a short time, and the horse will appear clinically normal when standing still or trotting, with signs reappearing when the horse is asked to turn or back. There are two primary categories of Shivers signs observed while backing: Hyperflexion: One hindlimb is raised up and away from the body in a spastic state for several seconds to several minutes. The limb trembles or shivers in suspension, then the foot is brought rapidly to the ground when the spasms subside. One or both hind-limbs may be affected. Hyperextension: The horse places the hind feet further back than normal when moving backwards with the stifle and hock joints hyperextended. Both forelimbs are also extended when backing begins, resulting in a stretched or sawhorse stance. In severe cases one or both hind limbs may be held out behind the animal in rigid spastic extension, resulting in instability and even falling if the horse cannot regain control of one leg to catch itself. The horse may stand on its toes with the heels raised off the ground. Most horses are affected in both hind limbs. Horses with shivers are resistant to hind-limb flexion and may hyperflex the opposite hind leg before flexing and abducting the hindlimb being touched. These signs may occur when the hind feet are picked up to be cleaned or when the horse is being shod, especially when the foot is hammered during shoeing. The condition may progress so that the horse becomes impossible to shoe. Excitement, such as leading the horse from the stall, or when footing changes, may worsen clinical signs. Such horses improve when turned out on pasture. Offering a bucket of water on the ground can also stimulate clinical signs. As the neck is extended, muscle spasms occur in the hindquarters, with the front feet planted firmly. The body sways backward, the back is arched, and the tail is jerked to an elevated position. Occasionally the muscles of the forelimbs, neck, trunk and face may occur. The forefoot is thrust forward into extension, with the foot barely touching the ground. The extensor muscles above the elbow quiver. When facial muscles are involved, there is rapid blinking, quivering ears, and lip twitching. These signs are considered rare. There is no treatment for the disease other than consistent exercise and a low carbohydrate/high fat diet. Provision of vitamin E is important as signs of disease may be slowed, though it will not improve the clinical signs of shivers. The disease is slowly progressive and the prognosis for affected horses is poor. Veterinary evaluation of horses with suspected shivers is essential. A thorough lameness exam can rule out other causes of lameness or other abnormalities. The exam should have horses back and the limb should be flexed. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the Horse.
17.01.2022 DIGITAL FLEXOR TENDONITIS IN THE HORSE Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice When your horse becomes lame, the first thing that yo...u probably think about is the bone; however, in some cases there may be soft tissue damage, or both bone and soft tissue damage. The soft tissues include the flexor tendons and suspensory apparatus on the back of the cannon bone, specifically the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons. When these tendons are damaged, resulting in tendinitis, the swelling that results is known as a ‘bow’, hence ‘bowed tendon’. This bow represents only the superficial tendon. Damage may also occur to these tendons below the fetlock, and into the hoof capsule with deep digital flexor tendon injuries. The classic signs of inflammation are rubor, calor, tumor, and dolor, or redness, heat, swelling and pain. Although redness is difficult to appreciate in horses, as opposed to yourself, the others do occur, at least acutely, and may result in loss of function. Thus, tendinitis results in acute heat, swelling, and pain and may be manifested as lameness, whether obvious or more subtle. The tendon(s) may also be sore to palpation. The flexor tendons originate high in the limb and begin as muscles. Their origination is from the humerus, just above the elbow. Below the carpus (knee- your wrist) they become tendons that travel to the pastern and foot. The deep digital flexor inserts on the bottom of the distal phalanx (coffin bone) whilst the superficial flexor tendon divides and attaches to the long and short pastern bones. Their purpose, of course, is to flex the limb. Both tendons have accessory or ‘check’ ligaments associated with them, to help prevent over-stretching. Tendinitis seems to occur as an acute situation, and indeed it is, resulting in the previously described signs of inflammation. There is, however, a chronic component to tendinitis. Chronic wear and tear results in microtrauma to the tendons, weakening their structure slowly, until a larger, more traumatic event results in tearing and acute inflammation. There has been much speculation as to how this happens: hard versus soft ground, deep footing, and speed. The latter does seem to be important, as more often tendinitis occurs in horses that are moving at high speeds, and make a sudden, wrong movement as may happen with fatigue. This includes racehorses, barrel racers, jumpers, and eventers. Tendonitis may also occur over the pastern. Either the deep or superficial tendon may be involved. There is usually distention of the digital flexor tendon sheath in this area. The deep digital flexor tendon may be torn, or sprained, from the distal pastern and into the foot. This injury may or may not be associated with navicular disease. Rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon rarely occurs within the hoof capsule. This results in a severe, acute lameness and lifting of the toe from the ground during weight bearing. Radiographically the coffin joint may be out of place (subluxated). More often, however, there is generalized inflammation of the tendon that may take 12-18 months to heal. Diagnosis is made clinically and by ultrasonographic evaluation. Your horse may be moderately to severely lame with swelling, heat and pain of the affected area: the superficial tendon is most often affected in the mid bone area, whilst the deep digital flexor tendon is usually affected just above the fetlock, within the tendon sheath. Thus with DDF tendinitis, there will also be effusion (extra synovial fluid) of the tendon sheath. Ultrasound may also be used to identify DDF lesions within the foot; the foot will need to be soaked overnight to allow penetration of the ultrasound beam through the frog. The impar ligament may also be identified. (See an earlier issue of Horse Connections.) In some cases, tendinitis of the deep digital flexor tendon may be identified by a bone scan or nuclear scintigrapy. Ultrasound is paramount in confirming the diagnosis and in formulating a prognosis and following healing over time. The degree of damage can be measured. There may be fluid between the normal fibers of the tendons, or there may be discrete tearing resulting in a ‘core’ lesion- a circular area of fluid, which is black on an ultrasound. The tendon may also be increased in overall size, or show extensive fiber disruption, or all of the above may occur. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, maintain blood flow, and decrease scar tissue formation. Treatment initially consists of antiinflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids, phenylbutazone, or Banamine. This treatment may be needed for up to two to four weeks; however, corticosteroid therapy should be discontinued early, as it may impair healing in the later stages. Stall rest and hand walking is important for the first couple of months post injury. Increases in exercise should be based upon the ultrasonographic appearance of the tendon. The core lesion should diminish within the first two months, followed by decrease in the cross-sectional area. The limb should be iced several times per day to decrease inflammation. The limb should be wrapped when not in ice. It is important that bandages provide adequate padding and are pulled tight enough so as not to slip, to prevent further injury from constriction of an already injured tendon. Further treatment may include sweating the limb, surgery to perform a check ligament desmotomy (think cut the ligament), stem cell therapy, tendon splitting, or focused (not radial) extracorporeal shockwave therapy. In some cases, the digital tendon sheath may need to be explored surgically (tenoscopy), and/or injected with hyaluronate (HA). Sodium hyaluronate may be most useful in preventing adhesions to other nearby structures. Physical therapy is also important to help prevent restrictive adhesions of the tendons. Eventually, as your veterinarian directs, (about 1-3 months post injury) handwalking is important to improve fiber alignment. Turnout may be appropriate for some horses, but controlled exercise, including riding under saddle and swimming may be helpful during the remodeling phase. Unfortunately, once a tendon is damaged it will often heal with scar tissue. Some of the newer therapies (stem cells, shockwave) improve fiber alignment and quality of healing so that the strength of the tendon is maintained. The smaller the area of damage, the better the prognosis for return to the previous level of activity. Tendon lesions take three to twelve months to heal completely. The superficial digital flexor tendon heals better than deep digital flexor lesions. Your horse may suffer from bone injuries, but the soft tissue component should not be overlooked, or may even be the only injury present. Physical examination and ultrasound can be used to identify the area involved and quantify to amount of damage to the tendon(s). Ultrasound is also used to monitor progress of healing over the ensuing months. Once your veterinarian sees adequate healing, gradual return to exercise is important to prevent reinjury. Initial treatment involves removing the inflammation and preventing further injury with complete stall rest. Additional treatments may involve stem cell therapy, focused shockwave therapy, and the injection of sodium hyaluronate. Healing of these types of injuries may take many months, and the previous level of activity may or may not be possible, depending upon the amount of damage. Dr. Brian Burks is the owner-veterinarian at Fox Run Equine Center, a 24-hour medical-surgical center near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Burks was an intern and then a resident in equine internal medicine. Many lameness evaluations are performed in the hospital setting, and nutritional counseling is given on a regular basis. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse"s health is always our top priority.
16.01.2022 Equine Osteochondrosis Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a relatively common developmental d...isease that affects the cartilage and bone in the joints of horses. It causes clinical signs of disease in 5-25% of all horses, and can occur in all horse breeds. Cartilage in joints with OCD does not form normally; this causes the cartilage and bone underneath it to become irregular in thickness and weaker than in normal joints. This can cause the development of cartilage and bone flaps that can either remain partially attached to the bone or break off and float around in the joint. These loose flaps and areas of abnormal cartilage and bone cause inflammation in the joint and over time may lead to the development of arthritis. OCD is usually caused by a combination of several factors acting together, including: Rapid growth and large body size Nutrition: Diets very high in energy or have an imbalance in trace minerals (low copper diets) Genetics: Risk of OCD may be partially inherited Hormonal imbalances: Insulin and thyroid hormones Trauma and exercise: Trauma (including routine exercise) is often involved in the formation and loosening of the OCD flap Osteochondrosis is a defect of endochondral ossification of the cartilage at the end of a long bone (epiphyseal cartilage). Bones elongate from the ends, not the middle at the physis (growth plate) and the epiphysis. This disorder involves both the growth plate and the immature joint cartilage. Lesions are bilateral in 70% of cases but lameness is often unilateral. Osteochondrosis is the most prevalent of the DODs, affecting horses from weeks to two years of age. This condition mainly affects articular cartilage, but growth plate cartilage may also be affected, leading to disruption of normal bone contour and height. Articular cartilage damage leads to dissecting lesions and the formation of cartilaginous flaps. The formation of subchondral bone cysts may occur in the center of a joint due to weight bearing and focal retention of cartilage within subchondral bone. Axial skeletal involvement includes vertebral articular facets, and this may lead to stenosis of the vertebral canal and, ultimately, ataxia and proprioceptive deficits (i.e., wobbler syndrome in horses). White, wedge-shaped areas of retained cartilage are found in the metaphysis. Clefts lead to the separation of cartilage from bone and the formation of flaps or free joint mice which may interfere with joint function. Predilection sites include the femoropatellar and femorotibial joints, tibiotarsal (upper hock) joint, fetlock joint and the shoulder. Clinical signs vary due to the variety of sites and lesions involved, but may begin with mild stiffness, and then to overt lameness and loss of performance. The most common sign is non-painful joint distention (effusion), such as bog spavin, or excessive fluid in the upper hock. Foals tend to spend more time lying down and are stiff, with an upright limb conformation, and difficulty in keeping up with other animals in the paddock. Signs in older horses are usually linked to the onset of training and include stiffness, flexion responses and variable lameness. Marked lameness is not usually a feature. Shoulder OC cases usually show more severe lameness and possibly some muscle atrophy. Diagnosis of osteochondrosis begins with signalment and history, followed by thorough lameness evaluation. This is followed by radiographic examination of the affected joint or joints. The same joint in the opposite limb should always be radiographed, as there may be silent lesions present. Early cartilaginous lesions will not be seen on radiographs, which primarily image bone. At least two, and often four, radiographs of affected joints are necessary. Radiographic signs include: flattening of joint surfaces, subchondral bone lucency or sclerosis, osteophytosis (bone spurs), joint effusion, and joint mice, or small, free pieces of bone floating within the joint. These small pieces can cause further joint damage. Occasionally an OCD fragment is made entirely of cartilage (no bone) and so it cannot be seen on the radiograph; only a defect in the main bone may be seen in these cases. Sometimes older horses are diagnosed with OCD incidentally without apparent clinical signs. Evaluation of synovial fluid will help rule out inflammatory causes of swollen joints. Treatment depends upon the site affected and severity of clinical signs. Mild cases may resolve spontaneously. Young animals should have restricted exercise and feed rations should be reduced to slow growth. Intra-articular medication with hyaluronic acid may be beneficial, and injection of long-acting corticosteroids may help reduce swelling and improve any associated synovitis. Horses with subchondral bone cysts or free pieces of bone/cartilage often require arthroscopic surgery. Damaged cartilage and joint mice are removed and the bone overlying the lesion is scraped and the joint flushed extensively. Arthroscopy is performed by making two or more small (less than 1cm) incisions into the joint through which a small camera called an arthroscope and other specially designed instruments are placed. This requires general anesthesia. Other therapies include polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (AdequanR) to prevent further cartilaginous degeneration. Additional joint therapies include PRP, IRAP, and stem cell therapy. Oral hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate have been purported to be of benefit, but for every positive result, there is a negative one. Follow up care depends upon the location and severity, but stall rest and a slow return to exercise; full return to training may require several months or longer. Post op medications may include anti-inflammatories. A recheck lameness evaluation is required. The prognosis is good to excellent in most cases; however, horses with severe joint disruption and secondary osteoarthritis have a lesser prognosis. Shoulder osteochondrosis is more problematic and the prognosis is guarded. If the OCD lesion is not removed, the prognosis is reduced. Concomitant signs of degenerative joint disease, other joint conditions, or instability deleteriously affect recovery. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the horse.
16.01.2022 Anthrax in animals most commonly occurs following ingestion of the organism, but can also occur by acquisition of the organism in aerosols or via wounds. Herbiv...ores are the most susceptible to disease, while pigs and carnivores are relatively less susceptible. We more commonly expect anthrax in cattle and deer but other animals are not uncommon. Clinical presentations of anthrax in cattle: - peracute death is a common manifestation. Hemorrhage may or may not be externally evident in these peracute cases. - subacute anthrax can also occur in cattle and small ruminants. Signs include fever and inappetence; hematuria, hematochezia (passage of bright red, bloody stools), peripheral edema; splenomegaly; respiratory distress; behavioral changes and seizures (reflecting CNS edema and hemorrhage). Blood in the body typically does not clot. Rigor mortis is often absent. Anthrax in horses: infection may present initially as colic and enteritis, followed by development of edema, hemorrhage, and death in 2-4 days. Anthrax in pigs and dogs: pigs and dogs generally have a more limited course of disease, with gastroenteritis and pharyngeal edema. However, the pharyngeal edema may lead to death by asphyxiation. In endemic areas in the world, animals can be immunized with a vaccine made from spores of an avirulent strain ("Stern vaccine"). In incubator regions of some states in the US (such as the Dakotas), vaccination is also still commonly practiced today. In other areas, vaccination is only by authority of the state veterinarian. Diagnosis of anthrax in animals: - A diagnosis is most often made by identification of the organism in blood from an infected animal. Blood smears can be directly stained for the organism, or the organism can be readily cultured. Necropsies should not be performed because of the risk of inducing sporulation and spreading the organism. Blood should be collected with as little contact as possible with the carcass (such as, cutting off the tip of the ear or incising into the coronary band) and then the carcass should be burned thoroughly or buried deep and covered with quick lime (calcium oxide). Quick lime acts to pull water out of the carcass and thereby speed decomposition. In pigs, unlike cattle, organisms are often difficult to find in peripheral blood smears. - There are also fluorescent Ab-, ELISA-, and PCR-based laboratory tests available and an immunochromatographic rapid diagnosis field test. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
16.01.2022 Gastric Impaction in Horses Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP- Board-Certified in Equine Practice Gastric impaction is one cause of colic in horses, with colic si...mply referring to intestinal pain, not a specific cause or disorder. An impaction is an obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract that can result in a variety of clinical signs. The obstruction most often is of food material, but may contain other foreign objects. It may be partial or complete. Horses, being herbivores, are continuous grazing animals. Their GIT was equipped to have small amounts of food frequently. Horses may be kept in stalls, have limited turnout, and be fed meals twice daily, under some circumstances. Causes Impaction of the stomach has a variety of causes, or may be multi-factorial. Dehydration Coarse feed stuff that is poorly digestible Equine Gastric Ulcer syndrome Changes in exercise Anesthesia and surgery- post op ileus Parasitism- bot fly larvae Concentrates- especially high carbohydrate/fermentable food Neoplasia- squamous cell carcinoma Dentition Clinical Signs Anorexia Lethargy Prolonged recumbency Dysphagia Dropping of feed Bruxism Salivation Insidious weight loss (if chronic) Spontaneous reflux with gastric contents visible at the nares (in severe cases) In mild cases where signs resolve spontaneously or with analgesics, owners my continue to feed the horse, which only serves to worsen the impaction Diagnosis of gastric impaction is by rule out of other diseases, gastric endoscopy, ultrasonography, and, sometimes, radiography. Other intestinal disease can be evaluated using rectal palpation and abdominocentesis, in addition to the testing listed above. Radiography is useful in foals or thin horses; it is mostly used to evaluate the ventral abdomen in adult horses, looking for sand or enteroliths (intestinal stones). Ultrasound used transcutaneously can be used to assess intestinal or gastric distention, wall thickness, and intestinal motility. It can be used to image the stomach and other intestinal disorders, such as intussusceptions. Gastric endoscopy is the ‘gold standard’ as the impaction can be visualized directly. Most horses will completely empty the stomach in 18-24 hours; if the stomach is still full after fasting, this confirms the impaction. Treatment of gastric impaction begins with correcting the primary problem. This is usually best done in an equine hospital setting where the horse can be closely monitored. Hydration should be assessed and IV fluids given as necessary. Feed should be withheld. The stomach can be lavaged with water and fecal softeners and electrolytes. Mineral oil should not be used in case of spontaneous reflux that could be aspirated into the lungs, causing a granulomatous reaction, resulting in lung death, and eventually death of the horse. Some horses will need to be kept comfortable using flunixin meglumine and/or sedation, along with other analgesic medication. Fortunately, most resolve within a few days. The stomach cannot be exteriorized in the adult horse during abdominal laparotomy, though in small foals it may be possible to reach the stomach for bypass surgery if the pyloric outlet is strictured. Prevention Regular dental care Feed low carbohydrate feeds Secure storage of roughage and hard feeds Ensure free access to water at all times Regular exercise Feed small amounts frequently Have fecal egg counts done to assess the deworming program Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
13.01.2022 Horses and Manure Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice With horses, or any other mammal, comes manure. Though some find the thoug...ht of manure distasteful, the consistency and quantity of fecal output is important as an indication of health. Reduced fecal production can be a sign of impending or existing impaction of the colon. Watery feces can be a sign of nerves. Increased frequency and volume of manure (diarrhea) indicates severe illness. A normal pile of horse manure cannot be picked up in a plastic sack but is an indication of overall GI health. Horses digest about 60% of most feed types. So, if 25 pounds of dry feed is consumed, 15 will be digested and 10 pounds will be excreted as manure. This varies by feed; those higher in in fiber, such as grasses and hays, have a lower digestibility, whereas concentrates such as oats and barley are more efficiently digested and have less fecal excretion. Nitrogen is a major component of protein, which is required for maintenance, growth, reproduction, lactation, and work. Phosphorus is a micromineral needed for growth, maintenance, and other physiological functions. Water is also required for physiological function and is lost from the body primarily in urine and feces, but in other bodily fluids and even as evaporation from the lungs. It also affects the consistency of manure. The large amount of manure produced by horses can degrade the environment by altering nutrient ratios in soil, promoting algal growth, and contaminating water supplies. The run-off from a manure pile can contaminate pastures and creeks and the horse may end up eating or drinking that run-off. Odors, insects, rodents and visual impact are also important. A 1000-pound horses defecates four to 13 times every day, amounting to 30-50 pounds of wet manure (urine and feces) per day or nine tons of manure per year. This makes stall cleaning and manure disposal important to horse health. The bacteria in horse manure results in the production of ammonia, leading to injury and illness of the respiratory tract mucosa and subsequent pneumonia. It promotes the growth of mold, bacteria, and parasites. Manure needs to be removed from stalls, paddocks, and pastures to remove parasites and bacteria, but in a way that contamination of the animal space and water sources does not occur. Stall kept horses require about 10-20 pounds of bedding per day, which should be replaced regularly. There are many different bedding materials, making the mix of bedding different from farm to farm. Manure can be a source of nutrients for crop production and can improve soil quality. The organic matter in manure can improve both the tilth and water holding capacity of soil. Unfortunately, most horse owners do not have enough land to use the amount of manure produced, making manure management important to minimize environmental impact. Location and size of manure storage sites are important. Manure storage piles should be kept in a dry area not affected by flooding or storm runoff from other structures or pastures. Do not store manure on a stream bank, near a wetland, or in an area that is close to the water table. Store on level ground if possible. Long-term storage structures, such as composting or stack storage, should have adequate space. The storage structure should have a firm base and be covered to prevent runoff or leaching Horse manure should be aged about six months before using on gardens as it is alkaline and will burn plants. Manure tea made with fresh horse manure can be used to feed vegetable and flower gardens, or fresh manure can be used to build a "lasagna garden." It does not burn the plants, so even if you do not let it compost for six months, you're not going to kill your plants. Horse manure is often referred to as road apples for their spherical shape and common appearance on country roads. Their shape comes from the small colon and rectum as water is extracted. Horse manure contains grass and grain fibers, minerals, shed cells, fats, water, and sand or grit, depending on the type of soil the hay or grass was growing in. About 3/4 of the total weight of manure is water. It may also contain undigested grain and weed seeds, which is why it should be composted before fertilizing your garden because these could still sprout. Manure from healthy horses is unlikely to spread disease to people; it is far more likely that human and canine waste will spread disease and parasites to humans. Horse manure changes color and consistency with dietary changes. Manure will be bright green when lush grass or green rich hay is fed. More brown hay results in browner feces. Outdoors, weather makes it all brown eventually, and the rain and sun break it down into the soil. Horse manure is not malodorous like canine or feline feces. Foul-smelling manure can be caused by rapid diet changes, ulcers, salmonella or other bacteria, or internal parasites. Dried horse manure makes good fuel. It has been used as heating fuel and one can find instructions on how to make horse manure bricks. It has been said that it produces more heat than seasoned hardwood. The ash left from burning manure serves as an excellent soil additive. Equine manure has been used in brick making and is a component of adobe. Remove manure daily from stalls and paddocks with the objective of keeping them clean and dry. Horses turned out in paddocks or exercise lots have usually destroyed the vegetation in the area, which is part of the cleansing soil filtration system. Maintain grassy strips bordering the perimeter of the paddock. These buffers filter sediment and nutrients from water flowing through them and reduce pollutants leaving the site. Clean surface water should be diverted from running into the paddock. Maintain vegetated filter strips along ditches, streams, and ponds. Manure piles in pastures are small pollution sources that can combine to become a significant cause of degradation of water quality. Drag or harrow pastures to break up manure piles and expose them to sun and air. Then, keep horses off the field for 21 days while parasitic larvae die. Remove, do not spread, manure from areas where horses congregatewater troughs, feeders, and shelters. Design pastures and paddocks so that horses are fenced out of wetlands, streams, and ponds, and are at least 100 feet from wells. Manure can be spread directly on cropland. Turning waste under immediately after spreading reduces loss of nutrients and decreases odors and insects. Do not overspread, and do not spread on soil with a high-water table or near slopes draining into streams or ponds. If you are not able to spread the manure, design a manure storage system to contain waste until it can be moved off site. The storage site should be located away from streams, ponds, or wells and out of the pathway of storm water runoff. Storage sites can be bins, dumpsters, or concrete or wooden bunkers. A cover or tarp will prevent rainwater from moving through the waste and creating leachate. Placing the storage area on a solid surface will also reduce the potential for seepage into groundwater. The storage area should be surrounded by a berm to guard against runoff. Composting manure involves the breakdown of organic matter into nutrient rich humus. This process can result in a product that is a valuable resource for gardeners and landscapers. Composting can be a simple or sophisticated managed process but remember that just throwing manure in a pile is not composting. Consult your county extension agent for more information on composting methods. Eventually you will need to consider how the manure will be removed from your property, whether it is spread, composted, or hauled away. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
12.01.2022 Taking Your Horse’s Vital Signs Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Every horse owner should know how to take vital signs. This c...an help the veterinarian determine the severity your horse’s condition. Noticing that your horse is not feeling its best- off feed, depressed, has colic, etc.- is the first step, but the next is getting temperature, pulse, and respiration. One way to check the hydration status of the horse is to look at the mucous membranes. Lift the upper lip and observe the color, check for moistness with a finger, and then blanch the gums with your thumb and count the seconds until the (hopefully) pink color returns. This is the capillary refill time (CRT). If you cannot observe the gums, the vulva can be used in a mare, parting the labia. The conjunctiva of the eyes can also be observed for color. Normal mucous membranes for an adult horse should be pink to light pink and moist. CRT should be two seconds or less. These values are the same for newborn foals. Examples of abnormal mucous membranes include white, gray, or dark purple gums. Temperature taking requires a digital thermometer that can be purchased at any drug store. Unlike humans, temperature is taking via the anus. Standing to the side and making sure that your horse knows about your presence, lift the tail head to the side. Do not let go of the thermometer. If your horse moves, move with him. Only remove the thermometer after you hear the beep. Normal rectal temperature for an adult horse averages between 99 and 100.5 Fahrenheit. A newborn foal’s temperature can reach 102 F and still be considered normal. Heart rate and pulse are generally the same (there are a couple of exceptions) so either can be used. The facial artery can be palpated under the jaw, just on the inside of the bone. Either right or left may be used. A rope-like rubbery structure is the facial artery and the pulse can be felt with a light touch. Use your fingers, not your thumb, so that you do not measure your own pulse by mistake. If you have a stethoscope, place it just above the elbow and push under the triceps muscle. One heart-beat has two parts lub-dub- so do not double count. The normal heart rate for an adult horse is 28 to 44 beats per minute (bpm). Neonatal foals will be 80-120 bpm. To calculate find the pulse or heartbeat and count for 15 seconds, then multiply by four to get the number of heartbeats each minute. Listening for at least one minute helps determine if the heart rhythm is regular or irregular, or if a murmur is present. The respiratory rate should be taken with the horse standing quietly. Watch the rib cage go in and out with each breath and count the number in 15 seconds, then multiply by four. Do not hold your hand over your horse’s nose, which may cause sniffing and falsely elevate the rate. A single breath is comprised of both inhalation and exhalation, so do not double count. The normal respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths per minute. Neonatal foals double that rate at 20-40 breaths per minute. The equine digestive tract should always be moving and listening to the sounds helps determine how well it is working. This is usually best done with a stethoscope, but sometimes you can hear sounds with your ear against the flank. An inexpensive stethoscope can be purchased at many pharmacies. Place the stethoscope’s bell onto the upper left side of the horse’s abdomen a few inches behind the ribs and at about level with the hip. Do not move the stethoscope around, just listen in one spot for at least 15 seconds. Then, move the stethoscope to the lower left quadrant: move straight down until you start to reach the curve of the belly. Again, pause here for at least 15 seconds and listen. Repeat on the right side. Listen for up to one minute. If there are no sounds in one minute, the intestinal tract is not moving. The colon is heard on the left side and the cecum on the right side. Small intestinal sounds are not heard as they are in the center of the abdomen. An average horse, regardless of age, should have an active gut producing a range of different sounds such as gurgles, roars, creaks, whooshes, and tinkles. Listening to the entire gut, you should hear some, or even all, of these sounds. Abnormal gut sounds are ones that are greatly decreased or completely absent. Be sure to listen to all four quadrants. Do not assume that if one quadrant sounds normal, the other three are normal also. Gut sounds can sometimes be hyperactive, indicative of inflammation, but it takes a lot of practice to learn normal from hyperactive. Obtaining this basic information prior to a phone call to us will help determine the severity of the problem and what might need to be done while you wait for us to arrive. www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Fox Run Equine Center Your horse's health is our top priority.
12.01.2022 Thrush in Horses (Pododermatitis) Brian S. Burks DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board-Certified in Equine Practice Thrush is a bacterial infection, caused by Fusobacterium nec...rophorum, or other anaerobic bacteria (that live where there is no oxygen) or yeast. It is one of the most common diseases affecting horse’s hooves. You will likely know it when you see and smell it. The pungent, tar-like black discharge collects in the sulci, or grooves, along the sides of the frog, the triangular structure that covers about 25 percent of the hoof’s bottom. These anerobes need certain conditions to multiply and this includes the reduction of the redox potential of tissues, which may occur following trauma, necrosis, ischemia, parasitic damage, or concomitant multiplication of facultative anerobic bacteria. If thrush is left untreated it may progress into the sensitive tissues, usually at the central sulcus of the frog, progressing into the inter-heel cleft. This infection causes the frog to deteriorate and results in great pain and sometimes lameness. In severe cases, lameness is possible if the thrush penetrates the sole and starts to erode vital structures in the foot. Horses in damp environments, with poor sanitation are predisposed to pododermatitis; however, horses housed in pristine conditions can also get thrush, indicating that there may be an underlying cause, such as an injury to the foot or frog. Sometimes, horses kept in wet, unsanitary environments do not develop thrush, further supporting this statement. Gaited horses may have thrush under the pads, but they also have very long hooves with contracted heels and a poorly developed frog. Thus the condition is caused by poor hoof health from lack of exercise, lack of proper trimming and general hoof care, or foot imbalance, leading to sheared heels. Horses with sheared heels are generally lame and have a very deep fissure in the central frog sulcus; the fissure extends to the hairline and into the digital cushion. The heels move independently, under thumb pressure. The foot is imbalanced, with upward displacement of the medial heel and flaring on the opposite side of the hoof. Insertion of a probe into the cleft causes pain and bleeding. Some horses may have thrush wit and sheared heels without hoof imbalance. These feet are long and have contracted heels. Pododermatitis also occurs without hoof imbalance and sheared heels. This is the most common form of thrush. There is usually black, malodorous discharge and degenerated frog. Treatment of thrush begins with addressing the primary problem. The hoof should be trimmed properly to debride affected tissue and facilitate abscess drainage. The horse placed into a dry environment. Adequate exercise should be provided to improve blood flow, tissue oxygenation, and health of the foot. The disease is unlikely to resolve with any treatment if the foot is not balanced. A bar shoe may help in the case of sheared heels. In any case, the loose frog tissue is debrided. Any pockets or crevices are opened to allow exposure to oxygen and allow cleansing. Many agents are readily available for treating thrush, iodine and copper sulfate being the most common. These are caustic materials that should be avoided when sensitive tissue is exposed. Diluted povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine are great antiseptic choices. Occasionally, dilute (1%) Clorox may be used. Fox Run Equine Center also makes a thrush solution for tough cases that do not respond to other treatments and trimming. Inter-heel clefts may require daily treatment with hydrogen peroxide for several months to affect complete healing. Chlorine dioxide is an oxidizing biocide that is best known as White Lightning. It prevents food transport along cell walls, leading to destruction of microorganisms. In extreme cases, especially when the infection is very deep and spreads up into the skin of the heels and pastern, a surgical Nd:YAG laser may be needed to kill the bacteria and ablate necrotic tissue. The crevice should be gently cleansed with a dry gauze sponge, and then packed with the same. Prevention Tips If thrush is diagnosed early, it is easy to treat and will heal properly. There are several precautions to help prevent the condition (or for treatment) given that it is most commonly associated with unsanitary conditions. For instance, horses that often stand on damp and dirty surfaces are more prone to developing thrush, because the bacteria that cause the condition thrive in this type of environment. To help prevent thrush: Provide your horse with a clean and dry environment that does not encourage the growth of the organisms that cause thrush. Bedded stalls are preferable; standing on rubber mats is another option for avoiding wet conditions. Regularly exercise your horse to ensure consistent and healthy circulation in the hooves. Pick the hooves every day and be sure to thoroughly clean out the frog and the sulci. Inspect the hooves for foreign objects, such as rocks or nails, at the same time. Adhere to a regular shoeing cycle to prevent the flaps of the frog from growing over the sulci and trapping dirt and moisture. Have your farrier examine your horse's hooves and trim the frog if it is overgrown. If you have any questions about how to prevent thrush or if your horse is exhibiting thrush symptoms, contact our office for help. (724) 727-3481. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse’s health is always our top priority.
11.01.2022 Bandaging Techniques for Horses Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Horses are sometimes known as an accident waiting to happen. ... They seem to find ways to hurt themselves. Some injuries are small and superficial, requiring minimal care, but others are deep or more substantial, requiring veterinary intervention. Ideally, wounds should be assessed, cleaned, and debrided prior to bandaging, but a temporary bandage may be needed during an emergency to control hemorrhage and prevent further contamination. Bandaging is more difficult than people think, and training is required for many bandage types to prevent iatrogenic complications. Bandage functions include: Protect from contamination Prevent tissue from desiccation Provide a warm, moist healing environment Immobilize skin edges Reduce swelling Prevent continued hemorrhage Stabilize or immobilize the affected area The injury site will need to be thoroughly cleansed, and the wound covered with a sterile dressing. Appropriate padding is important. Vetrap should not be applied without padding as it can tighten and bind the limb, causing severe problems. There are three layers to a standard bandage. The first is the wound dressing, which is gauze or an absorbent padding, held in place by rolled, cling gauze that stretches. The choice is determined by the type of wound and the amount of exudate present. The second layer is some form of cotton roll; combine roll is preferred. This is held in place and compressed by a layer of brown gauze, which is less stretching than white cling gauze and provides for a stiffer bandage. The third layer is adhesive bandage to protect from external debris and to secure the bandage; Vetrap is commonly used. This and gauze should be overlapped by at least 50%. A distal limb bandage is the easiest to apply, covering the foot to the hock or carpus (‘knee’). Encompassing the fetlock is important to provide stabilization and support. Other areas of the limb are more difficult and bandage sores can result. A carpal bandage is usually combined with a distal limb bandage to prevent slipping and reduce limb swelling of the limb. The bandage can be applied with a figure eight technique or the outer layer can be cut to alleviate pressure over the accessory carpal bone. The point of the hock (calcaneous) is another are to avoid pressure and thus bandage sores. Another way to alleviate pressure is to make a ‘doughnut’ of rubberized material or cast padding can be placed over the accessory carpal bone or the calcaneus. A final way to alleviate these pressures is to use an elasticated tubular bandage such as Tubigrip, or specialized stretch fabric bandages such as Pressage can be used for the tertiary layer. Pressage bandages are especially useful for long term wound management as they can be washed, reducing the number of bandages needed. Wounds on the sole, frog, or coronet require a bandage to encompass the foot. These wounds may not require a conforming bandage but do need to be protected from wear. Combine roll or a diaper can be used to cover the foot, wrap with Vetrap and cover with a square of Duct tape. Deep or non-healing wounds, such as heel bulb lacerations, may require a cast for more complete immobilization. Movement inhibits wound healing in horses. A Robert Jones bandage is used to limit motion of the limb. A RJB is an adaptation of the basic bandage, but adding secondary combine/gauze layers and even elastic tape (more rigid than Vetrap) to provide tension and immobilization for adjacent joints (above and below). A RJB should be one and a half times the circumference of the leg and is usually seven layers thick. Many say that when you tap the completed bandage it should sound like a ‘ripe melon’. For further immobility and strength, a splint can be incorporated into the layers. These bandages are difficult to apply and can be very costly. Bandaging the thorax and abdomen is difficult. There are stretch fabric bandages that are effective, but quite expensive. Regular bandage materials can be used, but due to the contour of the torso, they tend to slip, even when sticky elastic tape is used. Care should be taken to ensure that the bandage is not too tight, interfering with breathing, and extra padding should be used at the withers. Stents are an alternative to a full wrap bandage around the torso. Stents are sterile absorbent dressings that are sutured in place. Signs relating to bandage complications: Swelling above the bandage. Increased lameness. Stamping the bandaged leg. The bandage feels wet. Discharge can be seen through the bandage layers. Patient interferes with the bandage (i.e. chewing). Many factors inhibit wound healing, and poor bandage technique is a common factor. Poor bandages can result in bandage sores, tissue necrosis, excessive granulation tissue, and patient interference by chewing or rubbing. Many times, the bandage is too tight or too loose; one finger should be able to snugly fit between the bandage and the skin. This can happen because of bandaging technique but also to limb swelling, bandage slipping, inadequate padding, a wet bandage, or the bandage is left on too long. Bandages should be checked frequently and not left on for more than 2-3 days in most cases. When applied correctly, bandages aid wound healing. Poor technique can delay healing and cause long-term complications. Bandaging takes a certain amount of expertise, to prevent problems. Attentive owners and early reporting of concerns can make a difference to the outcome. Any injury to the limb should be examined by a veterinarian due to the presence of many vital structures such as blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and joints. Any horse with a bandage in place should be confined to a stall. Excessive bleeding can be controlled by a direct pressure wrap but should not be left in place more than one hour. Use good pressure but be sure that you can slip a finger between the bandage and the horse’s skin. Check bandages several times per day to be sure they are in place and not causing further damage. Monitor the horse for swelling above the bandage or increased lameness. If the horse develops a fever, becomes lethargic, or anorexic, call a veterinarian immediately. For hooves requiring constant soaking, a hoof bandage can include 5- liter plastic bags for durability and water containment. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
11.01.2022 Sand Impaction and Enteropathy Brian S. Burks DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board-Certified in Equine Practice Sand is a common cause of colon impaction in the horse, especia...lly in areas with loose, sandy soil or where horses are kept in sandy paddocks and fed on the ground. Following ingestion, ingested sand becomes sediment by gravitational forces. Eventually this causes irritation to the colonic mucosa and impaction when there is enough sand or fine grit/dirt built up within the lumen. Some horses may develop pica, or curious foals may ingest large amounts intentionally. The sediment accumulates in the ventral colon, but coarse sand may accumulate in the dorsal or transverse colon. The sand may dry out, becoming a concrete-like consistency. The sand may impact or cause a displacement or torsion. The distention by gas and sand causes abdominal pain, or colic. Chronic irritation of the colonic mucosa may reduce the absorptive capacity of the mucosa and lead to diarrhea. Clinical signs are similar to many other causes of colic. Initially the signs may be mild and intermittent, with diarrhea or soft feces. The horse may exhibit signs of ill-thrift, being underweight with a good appetite. As clinical signs progress with more sand accumulation, the horse may become anorexic, lethargic, dehydrated, and have abdominal distention from gas and sand. When the ventral abdomen is auscultated, there are often sandy sounds, as if hearing waves on a beach. It also sounds like sand in a partially filled sac, which is being rotated slowly. Sometimes, with massive sand accumulation, sand may be palpated per rectum. A simple test for sand, if not felt directly in removed feces, is to put several fecal balls into a rectal sleeve or bucket with some water, and watch for sediment. The adult equine abdomen is difficult to examine radiographically, but sometimes enough ventral abdomen can be imaged to show a radiodense accumulation of sand. Ultrasound may also be used in some cases. Treatment of sand colic may include: Intravenous fluids for dehydration Oral fluid and electrolytes Analgesic medication Psyllium husk given by nasogastric tube In my opinion, oil is ineffective and can be harmful. I learned this first-hand in the 1980s from an excellent veterinarian. If you mix sand and mineral oil in a jar, they quickly separate from each other; however, if you mix sand and psyllium, they form together, pulling the sand out. Clinically, this also appears to be true. Mineral oil causes granulomatous inflammation to denuded mucosa, worsening already irritated intestinal lining. If surgery was to be needed, and an enterotomy performed to empty the colon of sand, mineral oil would escape into the abdomen with devastating consequences (granulomatous inflammation). There are better options for any type of colic, which actually work, as opposed to 19th century medicine. In horses with large sand accumulations and have intractable pain, surgery may be necessary. These horses may have colon displacements, gas accumulation, reflux, or sudden worsening of clinical signs. As with any colic surgery, there are possible complications, including bowel rupture and peritonitis. These horses are likely to have diarrhea post operatively. After initial treatment, continued daily use of psyllium for 10-14 days will continue to remove remaining sand. About to 1 pound of Metamucil can be used for this purpose. In some areas, this can be done every 6-8 weeks to help prevent colic from sand. Continuous feeding is not advisable as microbes will begin to digest the psyllium, and its affect will be lost. Other prevention methods include removing horses from sandy areas, rotation of pastures to prevent overgrazing and dirt/silica ingestion, and feeding off of the ground. When using a feeder, a solid surface underneath can help prevent foraging hay spilled onto sandy soil. Horses should never be fed hay on the ground if the soil is sand. Fortunately, most horses recover from sand impactions over several days. Complete sand removal often takes several weeks. Even those that require surgery have a survival rate approaching 90%. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the horse.
10.01.2022 Infectious Dental Disease Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Horses of all ages commonly experience infections of dental tissues.... Unfortunately, horses often do not show any clinical sign until disease is advanced, making the oral examination mandatory on at least an annual basis, using sedation and a dental speculum. Dental sepsis is infection of live structures around or within the tooth: the gingiva, alveolus, periodontal ligament, and tooth pulp. Dental disease can be of the periodontal ligament, the infundibula with abnormal cementum formation, or at the apex of the tooth infecting the dental pulp (pulpitis). The health and integrity of the tooth is at risk whenever these tissues are compromised. The gingiva is tightly attached to connective tissue covering the bones of the maxilla and mandible. Around the tooth lies the gingival sulcus where epithelium attaches to the cementum of the tooth. This area must constantly remodel as the tooth erupts over a life-time. Dental decay is due to pulpitis- infection of dental pulp. It may be initiated by dental impaction or dental caries (cavities) or from a tooth fracture. If the process is slow, secondary dentin will form to protect the pulp cavity. This dentin is produced by odontoblasts in the pulp chamber. This commonly occurs due to natural tooth wear. During acute disease, this process is not effective and the sequelae are dependent upon the tooth affected. A mandibular tooth may result in a fistula, whereas a maxillary tooth results in maxillary sinus empyema (infection). Diagnosis is made based upon oral examination and dental radiography, where there may be dead bone (sequestrum) and sinus tract formation. Treatment is usually by tooth extraction; however, in some cases endodontic techniques may be used to save the tooth. It can be difficult to achieve a complete apical seal. Periapical disease is inflammation or infection of tissues around the tooth root. It may occur due to extension of pulpitis, hematogenous bacterial spread, periodontal disease or trauma. Abscesses form when bacteria colonize unhealthy tissues. As the infection progresses, there may be purulent material, destruction of periodontal ligaments, and loss of alveolar bone. Clinical signs vary with location of the involved tooth. Mandibular tooth root infections may result in warm swelling along the bottom jaw, along with fistula formation. There may be malodorous breath. With involvement of the upper cheek teeth, which lie in the rostral or caudal maxillary sinuses, there may be facial swelling and fistula formation. Halitosis is common and there may be nasal discharge. In some cases, tearing may be evident. Antibiotic therapy is only successful in early stages of disease, and is usually better with lower, rather than upper, teeth. Treatment of sinusitis almost invariably requires extraction of the affected tooth, along with debridement and lavage of the sinus cavity. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
10.01.2022 Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDFT) Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice The Deep digital flexor muscle originates at the elbow from... the medial humeral epicondyle, radius and ulna and inserts underneath the distal phalanx, or coffin bone. It serves to flex the distal phalanx. The deep digital flexor tendon arises as three muscle bellies from its origin on the medial humeral epicondyle, fusing to form a common tendon just above the carpus on the caudal aspect of the limb. The single tendon passes distally, enclosed in the carpal sheath, through the carpal canal. In the mid-metacarpal region, the tendon is enforced by the distal accessory ligament (inferior check ligament). At the metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) joint, the DDFT passes over the sesamoid groove. In the middle of the proximal phalanx, or long pastern bone, the DDFT runs between the branches of the SDFT and over the distal sesamoid (navicular) bone to insert on the distal phalanx. The navicular bursa is a synovial sac between the DDFT and the distal sesamoid (navicular) bone. It extends beyond the borders of the distal sesamoid bone proximally, distally and laterally. The distal parts of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons are supported by three annular ligaments: Palmar annular ligament Proximal digital annular ligament Distal digital annular ligament Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481
07.01.2022 Distal Tarsitis Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Osteoarthritis is the most disorder of the hock (tarsus). There are several... forms: Distal arthritis (bone spavin), the talocalcaneal joint (high spavin) and bog spavin when there is distention of the tibiotarsal joint. The term comes from old high German meaning sparrow, as affected horses may lift the limb similar to that of a sparrow or sparrow hawk. Distal tarsitis, often referred to as "bone spavin", is the most common cause of clinical lameness associated with the tarsus (or hock) in horses. Distal tarsitis is an osteoarthritis and periostitis of the distal intertarsal, tarsometatarsal, and occasionally the proximal intertarsal joints. The tarsus is homologous to the human heel. The tarsus consists of 5 joints: the tibiotarsal joint, the proximal intertarsal joint, the distal intertarsal joint, and the tarsometatarsal joint. There is also a talocalcaneal joint contained within the tibiotarsal joint. During movement, the tibiotarsal joint performs approximately 98% of the motion of the tarsus. The proximal intertarsal joint, just below the tibiotarsal joint, performs approximately 2% of the motion. The lowest two joints, the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints, move very little. In fact, if the horse did not have these joints- if there was solid bone across the distal tarsus- no unsoundness or alteration in gait could be detected. Several types of bone spavin have been described: Jack Spavin is a term used to describe the presence of unusually large osseous lesion(s). High Spavin denotes osseous pathology higher (more proximal) in the joint than is typical. Occult Spavin does not produce any significant bony projections (exostoses) associated with the distal tarsal joints. This term, therefore, is used to define clinical evidence of arthritis/ pain rather than the presence of visible bony abnormalities. Juvenile Spavin is used to describe the occurrence of bone spavin in young horses (less than 3 years of age). This form of bone spavin occurs before the animal has done much work. While osteochondrosis (developmental orthopedic disease) is the most common cause of juvenile spavin, cuboidal bone distortion in premature or dysmature foals has also been implicated in some cases. Like other forms of spavin, juvenile spavin may occur in the presence or absence of clinical pain and/or lameness. Dressage horses, western horses, pulling horses, Standardbreds, and Thoroughbreds are all prone to spavin, which is associated with the type of athletic activity. Icelandic horses may develop distal tarsitis, related to a mismatch of rider and the horse at the gaits in which these horses are used. The rack is a fast four-beat gait during which the hind limbs are placed very far forward, and this extreme gait is associated with the development of arthritis. Poor conformation is also a factor: bowlegged and sickle-hock conformation results in abnormal loading of the cuboidal bones and leads to OA. Although the distal tarsal joints are not essential to normal locomotion of the horse, they are prone to instability. Chronic joint instability results in the development of joint inflammation (i.e. synovitis). Repeated compression and rotation of the tarsal bones and excessive tension on the attachment of the major dorsal ligaments have been implicated as causes of distal tarsitis. Factors which can affect the development of distal tarsitis include the horse's age, weight, breed, job description, frequency of work, intensity of work, and conformation. Distal tarsitis may be caused from chronic compression of joint cartilage from the tarsal bones. This causes cartilage erosion, exposing the subchondral bone, which proliferates and crosses the joint spaces. Eventually this leads to bone on bone, which is quite painful. Uneven loading may lead to distal tarsitis. Like most joints, the distal tarsal joints are designed to bear weight uniformly from one side to the other. Medial (inside) - to - lateral (outside) imbalance causes uneven loading across the articular surface(s). Excessive compression (of cartilage) is experienced along one side of the joint and excessive tension of the joint capsule and collateral ligaments is experienced along the other side. This inherently causes instability, which in turn triggers excessive bone production and proliferation along the margins of the joint; unstable joints tend to grow extra bone along their edges to try and stabilize themselves. Conformational abnormalities which may increase the horse's chances of developing distal tarsitis include: Straight pelvic limbs Sickle hocks Cow hocks Poor trimming or shoeing can also contribute to bone spavin, especially if distal limb balance is affected. Certain activities may also contribute to abnormal, uneven, repeated and/or excessive loading of the lower hock joints, and therefore bone spavin. Such disciplines can impose excessive forces on the distal hock joints in the form of flexion (dressage), shearing stress (jumping), sudden stopping (reining), rotation (western events) or concussion (Standardbred racing). Horses with distal tarsitis usually exhibit a gradual onset of pelvic limb lameness, most apparent during the trot and may be characterized by a hypermetric "stabby" pelvic limb flight pattern. Horses will commonly pull the pelvic limbs underneath their body and "stab" them to the outside as the foot strikes the ground surface. There is also a snapping quality to the tarsus when moving. Although lameness is frequently bilateral, horses will favor the more affected limb during exercise. A "hip hike" (pelvic excursion) is sometimes apparent, particularly when the horse is trotting with the affected limb to the inside of a circle. Lameness may worsen following a period of rest. Affected horses usually exhibit stiffness when first starting to exercise but can often warm up and improve their gait. In chronic cases, firm enlargement on the inside of the hock may become visible; the swelling represents excessive proliferation of bone associated with the distal tarsal joints. Horses with moderate to severe tarsitis will usually exhibit a positive Churchill's Hock Test, a procedure which is performed during the passive lameness evaluation. A positive response to this test is manifested by pelvic limb abduction. Pelvic limb flexion ("spavin testing") during active lameness evaluation is an accurate and widely used detector of distal tarsitis. Pelvic limb flexion prior to trotting may exacerbate the lameness. It is very common for horses to exhibit secondary symptoms as a consequence of favoring one or both pelvic limbs over an extended period of time. Common compensatory problems include: Thoracolumbar epaxial (back) soreness due to an asymmetric pelvic limb gait Proximolateral thoracic limb suspensory desmitis as a result of chronic overloading of the thoracic limbs Greater trochanteric bursitis ("whirl bone") as a result of the abnormal pelvic limb gait Increased wear on the outside of the pelvic foot or shoe in an attempt to relieve hock pain Since these abnormalities are often secondary to distal tarsitis, successful treatment of the tarsitis alone frequently results in resolution of these problems. Horses that exhibit one or more of the above mentioned clinical signs should be evaluated for the presence of distal tarsitis as a potential primary cause. Distal tarsitis is a clinical diagnosis; demonstration of pain in distal tarsal joints is diagnostic. Pain is demonstrated upon clinical examination, lameness characteristics, response to Churchill's Hock Test and hock flexion, and response to intra-articular anesthesia. There is little appreciable effusion/distention of the lower hock joints, as this is prevented by the flexor retinaculum. Radiographs are frequently used to assess the presence and severity of distal tarsitis. It is important to note, however, that joint inflammation (synovitis) is invisible on a radiograph, which provides only structural information. Since the tarsus is a low-motion area, radiographic changes and the presence of distal tarsitis do not always correlate. Nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) is a more accurate assessor of the presence of distal tarsal inflammation since it provides physiologic information. This diagnostic modality has proved to be very useful in the identification of distal tarsitis. There are several ways to treat distal tarsitis. The first involves the reduction and possibly the elimination of inflammation within the distal tarsal joints. This is achieved by the use of systemic and/or intra-articular anti-inflammatory therapy. Reduction of inflammation (arthritis/synovitis) results in improved comfort. Intra-articular therapy usually involves the use of steroids, which are extremely effective at reducing local inflammation and pain. This approach also involves an attempt to maintain normal synovial integrity within the distal tarsal joints. Systemic medications such as Adequan, Legend, Cosequin, etc. are designed to improve synovial function and general joint comfort in the horse. Clinicians at Fox Run Equine Center also use intra-articular hyaluronan therapy, in combination with steroids to enhance the effect of the treatment locally. Another form of distal tarsal therapy involves fusion of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints. This can be accomplished surgically or by the use of a chemical agent which is infused into the distal tarsal joints. Since these joints have almost no motion, their fusion results in minimal alteration in the horse's gait. By eliminating the joint instability, inflammation and pain are also eliminated. This approach is generally reserved for those horses that have proved to be refractory to anti-inflammatory treatment and have advanced osseous changes associated with the distal tarsal joints. Other methods of treatment include extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) and bisphosphonate therapy. The former is a sound wave directed at the bone to stimulate bone healing by osteoblastic activity. These cells make new bone, which then leads to a more stable joint. The latter therapy is with medications such as Tildren or OsPhos. These drugs target osteoclasts which break down bone during normal bone remodeling. By preventing bone from being resorbed, the joint damage is considerably slowed and other methods of treatment used concurrently may work better than without a bisphosphonate drug. A final method of treating arthritis is by using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. These include phenylbutazone, Banamine, and Equioxx. This type of medication will decrease inflammation, and therefore destruction, of the joint. It is important to recognize that despite the several treatment modalities mentioned here, there is no ‘cure’ for arthritis in most cases. Complete fusion of the distal tarsal joints of the horse may result in a clinical ‘cure’. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the horse.
07.01.2022 Equine Colic Brian S. Burks DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board-Certified in Equine Practice The number one killer of horses is colic! This sounds dramatic. It is dramatic.... Colic, however, is a syndrome, and not a disease; it means abdominal pain. It is a combination of signs, common to the syndrome, but not necessarily the individual cause. Colic should never be ignored. It can be life-threatening very quickly. The chance for recovery can be maximized by recognizing the signs of colic, and seeking qualified veterinary help. The signs of colic (abdominal pain) can vary between individuals and may depend upon the severity of pain. The more common signs are: Flank watching Pawing Kicking or biting at the abdomen Stretching out as if to urinate without doing so Repeatedly lying down and getting up Violent rolling Lack of appetite (anorexia) Reduced bowel movements or intestinal sounds Sweating Increased respiration with flared nostrils Elevated heart rate Depression Flehmen (lip curling) Cool extremities (shock) Time is the most critical factor if colic is to be successfully treated. Some cases may resolve without veterinary intervention, but many do require medical treatment, including emergency colic surgery. If you suspect your horse is suffering from colic, notify your veterinarian immediately, and be prepared with the following specific information: Heart rate Respiratory rate Rectal temperature Mucous membrane color and Capillary refill time Behavioral signs Bowel movements, including color and consistency Recent changes in management, exercise, or diet Medical history, including deworming and vaccination While you are waiting for your veterinarian, keep your horse calm and comfortable as possible; lying down quietly is permissible. If your horse is rolling or violent, attempt to walk slowly. DO NOT GIVE ANY MEDICATION WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR VETERINARIAN. Some common medications may be detrimental to a colicky horse, or may mask the signs, interfering with an accurate diagnosis. Your veterinarian will perform an examination to try and identify the cause of your horses’ symptoms. This will include rectal palpation and naso-gastric intubation (tubing) at minimum. Other testing may include blood tests, abdominocentesis (belly tap) and abdominal ultrasonography. Treatments may include analgesics or sedatives, laxatives, intestinal adsorbents, intravenous fluids, and possibly surgery. There are a myriad of causes for colic, but most fall into one of a few categories: 1. Intestinal dysfunction- this includes gas distention, impaction, intestinal spasm and paralysis. 2. Intestinal accidents- These include intestinal displacements, torsions, and hernias. These almost always require surgery. 3. Enteritis/ulceration: These colics are related to inflammation, infection, and ulceration within the digestive tract. Causes include stress, disease, Salmonellosis, and parasites. Colic Prevention Set a daily routine for feeding, watering , and exercise The diet should contain mostly roughage. Avoid high volumes of concentrates/grain- especially those high in starches and sugars. No more than 2-3 pounds per feeding Divide daily rations into at least 2 feedings, more if additional grain is warranted. Feed hay free choice. Establish a parasite control program with your veterinarian. Use fecal samples to determine effectiveness. Exercise and/or turn-out should be provided daily Change exercise intensity gradually Free choice fresh, clean water Use only medications prescribed by a licensed Veterinarian. Pain relievers may cause gastric ulcers. Check hay and bedding for foreign objects, weeds, etc. Change the diet gradually. Maintain accurate health and feeding records. Any horse is susceptible to colic. The onset can be severe and sudden. Although most horses recover uneventfully, some may require intensive care or surgery. Managing horse health and quickly calling a Veterinarian greatly reduce the need for surgery and intensive medical care, including: Intravenous fluids Antibiotics Analgesics Critical monitoring Dr. Brian Burks has been at Fox Run Equine Center for over twenty two years. He is board certified in equine practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. His interests include neonatology, endocrinology, and internal medicine. He also enjoys the diagnostic challenges of equine sports medicine. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the horse.
07.01.2022 Cryptorchidism in the Horse Brian S. Burks DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board-Certified in Equine Practice Cryptorchidism is a congenital condition (i.e., the individual is ...born with it) in which one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) of the testes fail to descend into the scrotum. Several common terms have been used to describe cryptorchids, including "rig," "false rig," and "ridgling." In the fetus, the testicles are contained within the abdomen. They develop near the kidney, and are connected to the gubernaculum, a cord from the testicle to the scrotum in the fetus, which eventually will allow the testicle to the internal inguinal ring and through the canal into the scrotum. Sometimes this does not happen. The vaginal ring closes within two weeks of life, preventing a testicle from descending into the scrotum. Fetal testicles are quite large and must reduce in size before they are able to descend very late in gestation. In the normal colt, both testes should descend through the inguinal canal and into the scrotum between 30 days before birth and 10 days after birth. Cryptorchid testicles may be completely within the abdomen, partially within the abdomen, and within the inguinal canal either permanently or temporarily. With complete abdominal retention, the testicle is retained and is mobile within the abdomen. These testicles are small and flabby, and are unlikely to produce viable sperm as the temperature within the abdomen is too high. The testicle is, of course, not externally palpable. Incomplete abdominal retention means that there may be portions of the epididymis within the ring, though the testicle is within the abdomen. Sometimes these portions are palpable as they have passed through the vaginal ring. Testicles within the inguinal canal are through the deep inguinal ring, but are still within the canal. Some may be there permanently, while some may pass into the scrotum and back again. These are sometimes called ‘high flankers’. Temporarily trapped testicles may eventually descend, but often do not. The cryptorchid testicle is more likely to be the right testicle, but it can be either or both testicles. Why do testicles become retained? There are several theories. 1. Insufficient abdominal pressure to expand the vaginal process properly. 2. Stretching of the gubernaculum. (The fetal ligament attaching the epididymis to the scrotum.) 3. Insufficient growth of the gubernaculum and tail of the epididymis so that they are unable to expand the inguinal ring sufficiently to allow entrance of the testis. 4. Displacement of the testis to a position where the pressure of the intestines prevents gubernacular tension from pulling the testis into the vaginal process. In most cases, the sperm production is nil, with any sperm produced being infertile. This is due to the loss of temperature regulation afforded by the ability to raise and lower the testicle to achieve an even temperature. Elevated temperatures render the sperm non-viable. Testicles contained within the scrotum are exposed to temperatures several degrees cooler than those within the abdomen. Although the colt may not be fertile, plenty of testosterone is produced, resulting in stallion behavior, beginning at 12-18 months of age., which can be dangerous for those not familiar with it and inconvenient for those with experience. If one testicle is not retained, the colt will be fertile and can impregnate a mare. In either case, he will be able to mount a mare and achieve intromission, which can cause uterine infection or other problems. Cryptorchidism may be a heritable and is not a desirable trait. Some monocryptorchid stallions will produce offspring with two scrotal testicles, while other stallions do not. It results in damage to the breed, higher castration costs, and physical danger associated with stallion behavior, especially for those not equipped to handle stallions. There are some cryptorchid stallions that produce offspring that never have retained testicles. The relative risk of cryptorchidism appears to be breed-dependent. In one study of 5,009 cryptorchidism cases, Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Morgans, Tennessee Walking Horses, and Arabians had cryptorchidism diagnosed less frequently than expected, whereas Percherons, American Saddle Horses, Quarter Horses, and ponies as a group were overrepresented. Diagnosis of cryptorchidism is by clinical evaluation via palpation, rectal palpation, and ultrasound; blood samples may also be taken for hormonal evaluation. Two blood tests are used to determine if the horse is a cryptorchid, based upon the age of the horse. In horses three years of age and older, a single plasma sample for estrone sulfate can be evaluated. Horses lacking testicular tissue normally will have estrone sulfate concentrations that are less than 100 picograms per milliliter. Cryptorchids, on the other hand, would have concentrations of estrone sulfate more than 400 picograms per milliliter. The common hormonal assessment for horses younger than three years of age involves administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and measurement of the resulting rise in testosterone. The procedure involves first obtaining a base reading prior to administration of HCG. Then, 6,000 international units of HCG are administered. Between 30 and 120 minutes after the injection, blood samples are drawn and analyzed. Horses that have been gelded do not respond to HCG, while cryptorchids will show testosterone concentrations at about 100 picograms per milligram. Retained testicles are at risk for becoming neoplastic in both humans and horses. Neoplasia is often not noted, likely because the testicles are removed at a young age, and few have histopathology performed if they appear grossly ‘normal’ with the testicle expected to be quite small and soft. Cryptorchid testicles cannot be removed the same way as normally descended testicles. To avoid unnecessary anesthesia and expense, it is better to know before surgery. Unfortunately, sometimes the descended testicle is removed and the cryptorchid testicle is left. When that happens, the horse will appear to be a gelding, but, of course, he still has one testicle and therefore will act like a stallion. The golden rule of castration is to remove the retained testicle before the descended testicle. If the retained testicle cannot be removed for some reason, the horse will still have the external appearance of a stallion. Full abdominal surgery is required to remove abdominally retained testicles. This requires general gas anesthesia. The approach is via the inguinal rings, which will also need to be closed in most cases to prevent intestinal prolapse. This is not a field surgery, and should always be performed in a hospital setting. It is also possible to remove testicles laparoscopically, which makes the procedure more expensive for little advantage. A common question involves when to perform the castration. The answer is as soon as possible. Cryptorchid horses, just like stallions with both descended testicles, will exhibit stallion-like behavior and develop masculine physical characteristicsthickened neck, large jowl, etc. Even if the cryptorchid is not fertile, the hormones are there driving the body. Some cryptorchid horses are even more rank (difficult to handle) than normal stallions, for unknown reasons. As for all intact males, the sooner castration occurs, the less likely there will be residual stallion-like behavior. Some people believe that if they geld a horse early (before two years of age), he will not develop properly. This is false. It has been shown that by gelding young, the horse will grow even taller compared to intact cohorts. Furthermore, the smaller the testicle when the horse is castrated, the less complicated the surgical procedure. Earlier castration also results in the vaginal ring and internal inguinal ring to become smaller. Stallions are at greater risk for small intestinal entrapment within the ring and scrotal hernia. Prior to any castration, the inguinal rings should be palpated to determine their size. If the rings are too large, the risk of intestinal prolapse is much greater; the rings will need to be surgically closed to prevent this from happening. Large rings are found in most breeds, but Standardbreds are over-represented. Horses castrated young (less than one year) have less chance for excessive bleeding postoperatively as well as reduced chance of incisional swelling or infection. Some people choose not to castrate colts in the middle of the summer due to the increased fly population. In our hospital, even with unilateral cryptorchids, the descended testicle is removed and the incision closed. There is no open wound. Therefore, not performing the surgery in the middle of summer to avoid the flies might not even be a valid concern. People also ask how long the stallion behavior will persist. The half-life of testosterone is about 19 days; therefore, it will take about three months for all testosterone to be eliminated from the bloodstream. Improvement will be gradual over that time. Some stallions which are castrated at an older age or after having bred mares will not lose all their stallion-like behavior, even if all testicular tissue is removed. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.
06.01.2022 By request... Equine Strangles Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice... Strangles is caused by bacterial infection with Streptococcus equi_subspecies equi (referred to as S. equi). The gram-positive bacteria typically infect the upper airway and lymph nodes of the head and neck. The disease has been in the equine population for centuries and was 1st reported in 1251. The infection is highly contagious in horse populations, particularly affecting young horses, and can recur on farms with previous outbreaks of the disease. Approximately 30% of equine infections are caused by Streptococcus equi. Morbidity may approach 100%, but the mortality rate ranges from 3% to 20%. Though strangles is highly contagious and can affect many horses on a farm, most horses with infection recover without complication. Complications from the infection include spread of the infection to lymph nodes other than the head and neck (also known as metastatic infection or bastard strangles), immune mediated disease (such as purpura hemorrhagica), muscle disease and pain, colic, diarrhea, pleuropneumonia, and lack of milk production. Horses that develop complicated infections typically require antibiotic and additional therapies based on veterinary examination. These symptoms may develop several weeks after infection. The hallmark clinical signs of infection are fever (temperature higher than 101.5 F [38.6 C]), nasal discharge, and enlarged submandibular lymph nodes (in the space between the lower jaw bones), which ultimately abscess. The retropharyngeal, parotid, and cervical lymph nodes may also be affected. Purulent nasal discharge is typically present, although it may initially be clear, and it may be intermittent. The retropharyngeal lymph nodes (located deep behind the throat latch) may also become enlarged and abscess. These will sometimes drain into the guttural pouches, which are air-filled spaces within the head that are an expansion of the Eustachian tubes. They may occasionally rupture to the outside in the lateral laryngeal region. Guttural pouch infection and pus accumulation (empyema) are often the result of retropharyngeal lymph nodes that abscess and rupture into the guttural pouches. Guttural pouch infection may also occur from bacterial entrance through the pharynx (throat). Anorexia, depression, and difficulty swallowing may also accompany signs of infection. Enlarged lymph nodes may 'strangle' the horse, cutting off the airway, necessitating a tracheostomy. Nasal discharge, which may persist for 2-4 weeks, from the infected horse is the largest source of contamination. Sources of infection can be nose to nose contact with an infected horse, sharing contaminated water buckets, feed tubs, twitches, tack, and clothing and equipment of handlers who work with infected horses. The bacterium may persist in the environment for several weeks or months, depending upon the conditions. It will survive better in purulent nasal secretions smeared on the walls or wood fences. It will also survive in water buckets. It is not likely to survive long in hot, dry conditions. Inapparent carrier horses may shed the bacteria continuously or intermittently for months to several years. They are the major reservoir for the bacterium, and account for outbreaks when new horses are introduced to the farm. The bacterium may be carried in the guttural pouches or the paranasal sinus cavities. Horses recovering from strangles should have the carrier state eliminated. Those coming from infected farms should be quarantined and examined to determine if they are carriers. This involves collection of guttural pouch secretions and testing via PCR and culture. To ensure that horses are not carriers, the testing is repeated every 1-2 weeks for three testing cycles. There should be three negative tests in a row to call the horse negative for strangles. Once the horse comes into contact with a potential source of infection, it may take 3-14 days after exposure before the horse will show the 1st clinical sign of strangles (fever). Based on this information, a minimum isolation period for introduction of new horses to the farm should be 14 days. Clinical signs of strangles are highly suggestive of the diagnosis. There are 3 methods to confirm the diagnosis of strangles: - Culture of the bacteria from the nasal discharge or abscess; - Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that detects DNA of the S. equi bacteria; - Blood test (serology) that measures a titer to a specific protein (SeM) of S. equi_ Antibiotic therapy remains controversial for the treatment of strangles. Complicated cases and those requiring tracheostomy for management of respiratory distress generally do require antibiotic and other supportive therapies. There is some evidence that treatment with antibiotics (such as penicillin) at the 1st sign of fever and in horses with no lymph node enlargement may prevent infection; however, early antibiotic treatment will also prevent these cases from developing immunity to the infection, and subsequently makes them susceptible to re-infection sooner. It may also prolong the course of disease; resolution may be much faster without antibiotics for simple cases of equine strangles. Penicillin is the drug of choice when antibiotics are required. Potentiated sulfonamides (SMZ) should not be used as there is much bacterial resistance due to high levels of folic acid in the abscesses. Intramuscular penicillin may not be tolerated well, and can get into the blood stream, ultimately killing the horse. It can be used safely in many animals, but I recommend IV penicillin four times daily instead. Vaccination is one method for prevention and control of infection with S. equi; however, vaccination cannot guarantee disease prevention. Strangles vaccination will likely reduce the severity of disease in the majority of horses that are infected. Available vaccines can be administered by intramuscular and intranasal routes. Improper administration of the vaccination can result in poor protection against infection and/or complications at the site of injection; therefore, administration by your veterinarian is recommended. The intranasal vaccination results in the best local immunity. IgA is secreted by respiratory mucosa to protect against invasion, and the vaccine stimulates this immunity. IgG is stimulated by the intranasal vaccine, but at lower levels, so protection against metastasis may not be complete. When an outbreak or potential outbreak occurs, it is important to work with your veterinarian. Strangles is a reportable disease in some states. Isolation of the affected animal or animals is important. Other measures to take include taking the temperature of all horses on the farm at least twice daily. Normal rectal temperature is 99-102 F [37-38.8 C]. Monitoring the rectal temperature and isolating horses at the 1st sign of fever is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of infection. Infected horses can transmit the bacteria to healthy horses 1-2 days after they develop a fever. Unexposed horses should be kept in a "clean" area and ideally should have separate caretakers, cleaning equipment, grooming equipment, water troughs, and pasture. People and equipment can transfer the infection from horse to horse. Extreme care, hand washing, and disinfection of supplies must be observed by everyone involved. If different individuals cannot care for infected and healthy horses, then healthy horses should always be dealt with first. All movement on and off of the farm should be stopped for eight weeks after apparent resolution of the last case. This can result in quarantine for several months. Horses may be screened to identify carrier horses by testing blood and sampling the guttural pouches or pharynx. Most horses that are affected will have good immunity for five years following infection. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the horse.
05.01.2022 Tapeworms and their importance to the horse Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Heavy tapeworm burdens have been associated with ...spasmodic colic; a mild form of colic which can be easily treated medically. Horses with an increased Tapeworm antibody ELISA (i.e. a higher level of infection) are at an increased risk of developing spasmodic colic. There is an increased risk of horses with tapeworm infestations developing colic due to an ileal impaction. This is a rare but serious condition which requires surgery for survival. Both these forms of colic are easily prevented with good parasite control. Tapeworms may also cause ileal impaction. The ileum is the last, and shortest, of three sections of the small intestine. It connects with the cecum- think appendix- and because they attach at the ileo-cecal junction, tapeworms can cause the slowing of food within the ileum, and subsequent impaction. Another type of colic is from intussusception. This occurs when one section of a horse's intestine telescopes into another section. Tapeworms can be quite insidious, building up over long periods of time without signs, only to suddenly, devastatingly, cause colic from this intestinal telescoping or ileal impaction. Either of these conditions may require surgery. There are three types of tapeworms that infect horses, with the most common being Anoplocephala perfoliata. Equine tapeworms require an intermediate host, which is the orbatid (forage) mite. Each worm has male and female segments, which reproduce via hermaphroditism. The male segment fertilizes the female segment. The reproductive organs then deteriorate, leaving only a uterus full of eggs. This then detaches from the rest of the worm and migrates to the large intestine, where it ruptures, releasing the eggs. The eggs released are infective to oribatid mites. These mites live in the ground, feeding on plant debris. These are ubiquitous, but most numerous on pasture in the summer months. Infected horses pass tapeworm eggs in manure when they are on pasture, where the forage mites ingest them. The tapeworm larvae develop in the body cavity of the mite, and the cycle continues when horses ingest the forage mites while grazing on pasture. Tapeworm larvae grow to adulthood in 6-10 weeks. Once they become adults, they attach to the horse’s intestines, namely the ileum, at the ileocecocolic valve, and within the cecum. The adults are capable of shedding large numbers of eggs. The adults live for 4-6 months, and disease is most commonly seen between October and November. Equine tapeworms may only be a few inches long, unlike those in humans, which can be many feet long, but in large numbers, they can cause big problems in the horse. Available de-wormers are highly effective against all three types of horse tapeworms: praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate. They must be specifically used at proper dosages and times to be the most effective. Consult our veterinarian to develop a deworming protocol specific for your horse. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481
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