B4 Flashcards
What is airway disease/asthma and what is the cause?
- Inflammatory airway dosease (IAD)
- Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)
Caused by stable dust or mould spores on dry, poor quality hay
Clinical signs of Airway Diseases/Asthma:
Coughing
Laboured breathing
Exercise intolerance
Nasal discharge
Nutrition for a horse with Airway Diseases/Asthma:
- Pasture without hay supplementation
- Haylage instead of hay
- Steamed hay
- Pelleted feed: alpine mash, hay cobs, etc.
- Less effective methods: soaking the hay
Name some muscular disorders:
- HYPP = Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis
- PSSM = Polysaccharide storage myopathy
- RER = Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis
- Atypical mypotahy
What is HYPP? And which breeds are more disposed?
Genetic disease that affects the sodium channels without having an effect in the potassium, causing hyperkalemia in muscles and cardiac muscles
Quarter horses and appaloosas are predisposed
Treatment of HYPP:
Limit the potassium intake to less than 1%
What is PSSM? And which horses are more disposed?
Genetic disorder where glycogen synthetase enzyme is damaged
Occurs in well-muscled horses such as draughts, such as the Belgian Draught
How to treat PSSM?
Low carbohydrate (starch) diet with high fats and high antioxidants
Gradual aerobe training
What is RER? Which horses are more disposed?
Calcium channel problem
Mainly affecting young fillies, racehorses and thoroughbred fillies that are nervous
How to treat RER?
- Low starch and low glycaemic index feeds as we try to avoid the quick absorption of feed that can lead to nervousness
- Fat being the main energy source can reduce nervousness
What is atypical myopathy?
his is a pasture related myopathy. Hypoglycin is found in trees and in the autumn, where grass is low for horses, they feed on leaves of these trees.
Increased hypoglycin → abnormal lipid metabolism → no energy from fat
Treatment of atypical myopathy:
- This is the only muscle disease where a low glycaemic index feed is contraindicated
- Feed a high glycaemic feed
What does PPID stand for?
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Disease
also called “Equine Cushing’s Disease”
Which horse is more disposed of PPID?
Usually seen in older , over 15 years of age.
What is PPID?
There is abnormal work in the HPA (hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis), wich will cause a no-limit on ACTH production which again will increase the ACTH and temporary cortisol increase resulting in insulin resistance
Clincal signs of PPID:
Weight loss
Skeletal muscle atrophy
Hirsutism (excessive hair growth)
Laminitis
Immunosuppression
Lethargy
Reproductive problems
Treatment of PPIT:
- Pergolide → substitutes the release of dopamine to restrict the work of the hypophysis
- Feed a diet high in energy and protein
We can give alfalfa and oil for omega 3 - magneisum to prevent laminitis
- chromium to increase insulin
