Equine EMS tips Flashcards
What does it mean if a horse is ‘signed out’ of the food chain?
they have been given a drug which means their meat should never enter the food chain. this is marked in section 9.
Common horse vaccinations
Most commonly influenza (series initially then every 6-12 months) and tetanus (series initially then boost every 2 years)
Competing horses - Equine influenza
Others - Strangles, EVA (breeding animals), EHV (broodmares)
Common horse internal parasites - 6
- Red worms (small - cyathostomins are encysted. Large - strongylus vulgaris)
- Large roundworms (ascarids - parascaris equorum)
- Tapeworm (Anoplocephala perfoliata)
- Bots (Gasterophilus intestinalis)
- Pin worms (Oxyuris equi –> itchy tail)
- Thread worms (Strongyloides westeri - foals)
Which internal parasite is associated with recurrent colic?
Tapeworm - Anoplocephala perfoliata
If a Parascaris equorum larvae burden is killed too quickly with anthelmintic what is the risk?
impaction colic
What do pin worms (Oxyuris equi) cause?
itchiness around tail but not v. pathogenic (aesthetic appearance).
Internal parasites associated with foals
Strongyloides - early infection (milk), causes diarrhoea
Parascaris equorum - large roundworm, intestinal obstruction
Internal parasites associated with older foals
Larval cyathostominosis - small strongyles encysted, mass emergence/treatment with anthelmintic, ill thrift, weight loss, oedema, diarrhoea, all ages of horses, diagnosis challenging
Tapeworm - accumulate at illeocaecal junction
Main classes of anthelmintics
Ivermectin/moxidectin Fenbendazole (=Panacur) Pyrantel Praziquantel (for tapeworms) Combinations
Outline regular anthelmintic treatment for horses
No longer a schedule
Except - encysted cyathostomins and tapeworm on a schedule. Otherwise treat based on FECs.
How often are quine shoes replaced?
every 6 weeks
Outline equine sedative drugs - 3
ALPHA 2 AGONISTS: administer IV or IM, act as analgesics too, Xylazine (short acting, 20 minutes), Romifidine (longer acting, 40 minutes), Detomidine (longer acting, 40 minutes)
OPIOIDS: also act as analgesics, butorphanol most commonly used - used in combination with alpha 2s to improve sedation, IM or IV.
ACEPROMAZINE: mild sedation, administer IV, IM or PO.
Outline common equine antimicrobials - 5
Remember the cascade!
- TMPS (licensed) - BS, cheap and PO administration
- PENICILLIN (Licensed) - must be IM (procaine), primarily gram positive spectrum
- DOXYCYCLINE (not licensed) and OXYTETRACYCLINE - give PO and IV, BS, relatively cheap
- CEPHALOSPORINS (licensed) - ceftiofur and cefquinome only, injectable only, BS, relatively expensive, not first line treatment - reserve for humans if possible.
- ENROFLOXACIN (not licensed) - give PO or IV, mainly gram negative, also essential for human health.
Outline common equine anti-inflammatories
NSAIDs and corticosteroids:
> NSAIDs: several options with different administration routes, vet preference. PHENYLBUTAZONE common despite not being licensed. Horse must be signed out of passport. PO, IV, cheap. Alternatively SUXIBUZONE which is a pro-drug of PBZ, PO only, not licensed for food horses. FLUNIXIN - give PO or IV. MELOXICAM - give PO or IV, may be more COX selective - possibly less side effects.
> CORTICOSTEROIDS: be aware of link between use and laminitis. Discuss with owner. Prednisolone and dexamethasone. Administer PO, IV, IM or local
What is strangles?
Respiratory disease Steptococcus equi equi Contagious Snotty nose, fever, lymphadenopathy, multiple horses TEST: culture, PCR, serology
