Feeding Related Problems in Horses Exam 2 Flashcards
What two things need to be considered when selecting feeds for horses?
-nutritional value
-feed quality
How to determine nutritional value?
-nutrient requirements vary
-choose feeds that meet needs closely
-avoid deficiencies
How to determine feed quality?
choose feeds that are free from
-toxins
-microbial contaminants
-insect contaminants
-injurious materials
What can white mold cause?
respiratory inflammation
What can tall fescue become infected with?
endophytes
Where is tall fescue common?
in the Southeastern US
Endophyte
a fungus that lives inside the plant
-conveys some hardiness
What do endophytes produce?
ergot alkaloids (including ergovaline)
What affect does ergot alkaloids have on animals?
-a negative affect
-vasoconstriction (leads to more heat stress)
-hormonal disregulation
What horses are most negatively affected by endophyte infected tall fescue?
late term pregnant mares
What are the signs/problems caused by infected mares?
-delayed/absent mammary development (no milk)
-prolonged gestation
-large weak foals
-placental thickening (“red bag” at foaling)
-dystocia
What occurs during normal foaling?
the pale white/gray amnion comes out first and the chorionic surface of the placenta is still in the uterus
What occurs during red bag foaling?
the placenta has prematurely separated and the chorionic surface appears first
How to prevent endophyte infections
limit exposure of late term pregnant mares
-eliminate infected tall fescue from broodmare fields
-use tall fescue varieties without the toxic endophyte
-use other grasses in paddocks
When does ergot alkaloid production increase?
when the plant is actively growing (April, May, June)
When does ergot alkaloid production decrease?
when the plant is dormant (winter)
What time of year is there more risk to mares foaling?
late spring (rather than Jan. and Feb.)
Domperidone
a drug that will speed up foaling (won’t reverse the effects on the foal but will get the foal out asap)
EquineLeukoencephalomalacia (ELEM)
central nervous system dysfunction associated with brain damage
-“moldy corn poisoning”
Symptoms of ELEM
-ataxia
-circling/head pressing
-recumbency
-death