Horse Diseases/ Problems

Question 1

Choke?

Answer 1

Choke?

.Blockage in the oesophagus by food

.Usually have a frothy discharge from both nostrils - this may be white or green or food coloured

Question 2

Colic?

Answer 2

Colic?

.Abdominal pain in horses normally relates to discomfort caused by the gastrointestinal tract.

Signs

R- restless or agitated, rolling, sweating laying down
E- eating less or droppings reduced:
A- abdominal pain, pawing, looking at flank
C- clinical signs: increased heart rate and respiratory rate, change in gum colour, reduced or absent gut sounds and skin abrasions.
T- tired, lying down or lethargic, dull, lowered head position

Question 3

COPD?

Answer 3

COPD?

.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ‘heaves’.

.Similar to asthma in humans and is a common reason for some horses persistent coughing.

.It is caused by inhalation of dust and toxins from the environment

.The expiratory difficulty is caused by obstruction of airflow in both the large and, especially, small airways.

.Signs - difficulties breathing e.g abdominal breathing, cough, increased RR

Question 4

Equine grass sickness (EGS)?

Answer 4

Equine grass sickness (EGS)?

.Disease of the nerves that coordinate intestinal movement, which causes the digestive system to stop functioning properly.

Question 5

Respiratory equine herpes virus (EHV)?

Answer 5

Respiratory equine herpes virus (EHV)?

.Respiratory Disease: What to look out for

.Fever

.Coughing

.Nasal Discharge

.Respiratory infection Spread occurs from horse-to-horse contact or indirect contact and aerosol droplets.

.A horse can be infected for life

Question 6

Neurological equine herpes virus?

Answer 6

Neurological equine herpes virus?

.Incoordination of the hind (and occasionally fore) limbs

.Urine retention/dribbling - can present as mild colic

.Bladder weakness

.Recumbency (inability to rise)

.Neurological signs may be preceded by fever and respiratory signs.

Question 7

Equine Influenza (flu)?

Answer 7

Equine Influenza (‘flu’)?

.Disease that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract of horses, donkeys and mules.

.Caused by several strains of the equine influenza virus.

.Very infectious and spreads rapidly through groups of horses.

.The incubation period is 1 – 3 days.

.Vaccination yearly

.A frequent harsh, dry cough that can last for several weeks

.A clear, watery nasal discharge that may become thicker and yellow orgreen after 4-5 days

Question 8

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)?

Answer 8

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)?

.Insulin dysregulation in horses, ponies and donkeys, where animals cannot regulate the levels of insulin in their blood.

.Affected animals are typically obese with fat deposits over their bodies.

.Causes insulin dysregulation, which then causes laminitis.

Question 9

Equine Cushing’s disease?

Answer 9

Cushing’s disease?

.Diseasethat usually affects older horses and ponies

.Long curly coat and delayed shedding of winter coat

.Causes insulin dysregulation, which then causes laminitis.

*Laminitis
*Fat pads above the eyes
*Increased sweating
*Increased thirst and urination
*Susceptibility to infections
*Lethargy
*Weight loss

.Occurs when a tumor called a pituitary adenoma develops in the pituitary gland. As this tumor slowly grows, it sends inappropriate signals to the rest of the body to secrete excessive hormones primarily a stress hormone called cortisol.

. Treatment - prascend medication

Question 10

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS)?

Answer 10

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS)?

.Common among racehorses and elite competition horses, although horse of all ages can have it.

.Foals are also susceptible

.Squamousgastric ulcers occur when the digestive stomach acids come in to contact with the upper part of the stomach lining.

.Sores that form on the bottom stomach lining.

.Any prolonged period without forage intake leads to increased gastric acidity and a risk of ulcers.

.Training increases the risk of the acid splashing around, resulting in damage the upper part of the stomach.

.Signs - weight loss,changes in eating behaviour,change in character,poor performanceandcolic.

Question 11

Laminitis?

Answer 11

Laminitis?

.Laminitis is an incredibly painful condition that affects the feet of ponies, horses and donkeys.

.It is inflammation of the laminae the small ‘finger-like’ structures that connect the hoof wall to the pedal bone, the main bone in the hoof.

.Inflammation of the laminae leads to their breakdown, often resulting in rotation and sinking of the pedal bone.This rotation in some cases can be so severe that the pedal bone comes out of the bottom of the hoof.

.It is a serious condition which is often recurrent and can lead to euthanasia.

.Signs - lameness that affects two or more limbs, lying down, feet hot (Emergency).

.Very painful so given NSAIDS (such as phenybutazone ‘bute’ or danilon) and box rest

Question 12

Lice?

Answer 12

Lice?

.Around mostly in winter and spring

.Can cause anemia

.There are two varietis of lice: bloodsucking (Haematopinus asini) and biting (Damalinia equi).

.Can cause bald patches and sore areas that may release serum, while the horse’s coat is often dull and scurfy.

. If lice are found on one animal, it should be assumed that all in contact horses are infected, even if lice are not seen and the skin appears normal.

Question 13

Liver disease?

Answer 13

Liver disease?

.Common causes of liver disease include toxicities (poisonings) and infectious diseases.

.Common cause is ragwort

.Uncommon cause Theiler’s disease (serum hepatitis).

Question 14

Mud Fever (Pastern Dermatitis)?

Answer 14

Mud Fever (Pastern Dermatitis)?

.Is a whole range of skin reactions to a number of different irritants.

.Common in wet weather because of the wet mud against the horses legs

Question 15

Sarcoids?

Answer 15

Sarcoids?

.Skin tumours unique to equids (horses, donkeys and zebras).

.Genetically susceptible horses develop sarcoids as a result of exposure to bovine papilloma virus (BPV).

.Appear in a variety of different forms anywhere on the body (from flat / warty areas of skin to lumps) and are usually persistent, progressive and recurring.

.Most common skin tumour in horses and can spread only on the skin.

.Tumours of fibrous connective tissue (fibrosarcomas)

.Types - occult, verrucose, nodular, fibroblastic, mixed, malignant/ malevolent.

Question 16

Strangles?

Answer 16

Strangles?

.Strangles is a very common but unpleasant bacterial disease that can affect horses.

.Swollen and painful glands under the jaw

.Difficulty in swallowing

.Abscesses in the throat area

.Signs - high temperature, difficulty in breathing and abnormal respiratory noises.

Close contact between horses or direct contamination of environment is required for spread

.Horses can be carriers. Carriers may shed bacteria for years without showing any overt signs.

.Bacteria that cause strangles can linger for several weeks in the environment so may persist in dirty stables.

Question 17

Sweet itch?

Answer 17

Sweet itch?

.Skin disease caused by an allergic reaction to midge bites usually on mane & tail.

.Affected horses and ponies are sensitive to the irritants in midge saliva, which cause a localised irritation within the skin.

Mild to severe itching and rubbing

Loss of tail and mane hair and bald patches

Areas of sore, open, broken skin, which tend to bleed

Some affected horses or ponies can become very irritated by the constant itchiness.

Question 18

Tetanus?

Answer 18

Tetanus?

.Tetanus is a bacterial infection, where the toxins produced by the bacteria attack the horse’s nervous system.

.Also known as ‘lockjaw’, because as the disease progresses, the mouth clamps shut so the animal cannot eat or drink.

.Sadly it is usually fatal in 80% of cases.

.Found in dust, manure and soil. These spores enter a wound and, given the appropriate conditions, they will germinate into bacteria.

.Horses are the most susceptible domestic animal to tetanus.

.Tetanus is not contagious.

.As the disease progresses, increasingly distressing muscle spasms and convulsions can be seen. These eventually lead to death from respiratory failure and dehydration.

.The first vaccination course of tetanus includes two doses given four to six weeks apart.

Question 19

Vaccinations?

Answer 19

Vaccinations?

Flu & tetanus example

1st January2019 (F&T)
1st February 2019 (F&T)
1st August 2019 (F)
31stJuly 2020 (F&T)
30th July2021 (F)
29th July2022 (F&T)

.Have passport so vet can see when and what vaccine was given last and they can put new one on as proof of vaccine for shows.

.If at any time an injection is given later than is required under these rules, the whole sequence must be started from the beginning, including the 5 - 7 month booster.

.Horses competing in FEI competitions need 6 monthly flu vaccinations + 21 days of the competition. Tet is not necessary.

.Foals should have 1st F&T vaccination at 5 months (or from 2-3 months if insufficient colostrum).

Question 20

Worms?

Answer 20

Worms?

.All grazing horses are likely to have worms, but most horses have a low number which have no untoward effects andmay do no harm but large numbers can cause problems like colic (tapeworm) & diarrhoea (redworm).

.Problems arise if worm burdens increase, which is when the worms can cause diseasesuch as weight loss, colic and diarrhoea.

.The aim is to maintain a low number of worms in the group of horses rather than no worms at all, because a low worm burden stimulates healthy immunity against further infestations.

Question 21

Types of worms?

Answer 21

Types of worms?

.Small & large redworms- can cause damage to the intestine wall and serious life-threatening diarrhoea. Their eggs are passed in the droppings (red or white).

.Tapeworm- can cause colic by blocking the intestine.

.Pinworms and large redworms cause disease less commonly, but still can require specific treatment.

.Lungworm

Question 22

Worming over 18 months?

Answer 22

Worming over 18 months?

.Do FWEC to see how many worms are in their droppings and if they have too many, the vet will speak to you.

.Don’t need to give wormers as long as regularfaecal worm egg counts (FWEC)are being performed to prevent worm resistance to the wormers.

.Heavy use of wormers has caused some worms to become resistant to many wormers.

.To ensure that wormers remain effective, they should be used if the horse needs them.

Question 23

Worming under 18 months & broodmares?

Answer 23

Worming under 18 months & broodmares?

.Young stock are more vulnerable & should be wormed regularly.

.Perform faecal egg count just prior to weaning and treat depending on what worms are found.

.Worming time - After weaning, youngstock should be treated every 3-4 months until they are 18 months old then they will follow the adult program.

.Tapeworm - if over 6 and a half months old should be treated in autumn for tapeworms & encysted redworm.

Pregnant mares

.Until the 10th month of pregnancy the mare can follow the same worm control program as other adult horses.

.A FWEC should be performed within the last month of pregnancy and the mare should be treated, only if required.

.The faecal egg count should be repeated around 3-4 weeks after foaling.

Question 24

FWEC?

Answer 24

FWEC?

.Should be carried out in the spring, summer and autumn (around 3 months apart) in horses adult horses.

.Do not treat horses with negative or low FWECs,usually less than 300 eggs per gram.

.Pinworm eggs cannot be seen in faecal worm egg counts.

Question 25

Pinworm?

Answer 25

Pinworm?

.Pinworm(Oxyuris Equi) are small white worms that can cause itching of the skin around the horse’s dock.

.Pinworm infections were previously uncommon because the worms were easily controlled with most treatments and seemed to only affect young horses.

.Recentlypinworm infections have become more common, now affecting older horses and are moreresistant to some wormers.

Question 26

Colic signs?

Answer 26

Colic signs?

.Mild pain = lying down, turning to look at the flank, pawing the ground.

.Moderate pain = rolling, restlessness, getting up and down frequently.

.Severe pain = violent rolling and pawing, sweating.

Question 27

Immediate call to Bell?

Answer 27

Immediate call to Bell?

Fractured limb

A collapsed horse that is recumbent and unable to stand

Non-weight bearing lameness coupled with distress

Non-weight bearing lameness coupled with a wound

Multiple limb non-weight bearing lameness

Wounds that require stitching – do the edges pull apart, is wound less than 12hrs old?

Colic pain that is moderate or violent and/or continuous

Diarrhoea that is continuous and/or painful

Choke where coupled with obvious distress

Sudden or severe inability to breathe normally

Punctured or ulcerated eye or sudden onset blindness

Continuous bleeding from mouth, nostrils, rectum, vagina, penis, or an arterial bleed (i.e. you can no longer count the drips)

Sudden onset of severe neurological dysfunction, e.g. staggering, disorientation lack of coordination or profound behaviour change

Difficulties at foaling

A sick foal, especially if it will not feed from the dam

Question 28

Administer First aid but still need emergency visit?

Answer 28

Can be helped with first aid but still need emergency visit?

Low grade fever

Sudden onset lameness that is weight bearing

Traumatic injuries and wounds that are superficial, away from vital structures and not compromising vital functions

Mild colic

Acute laminitis

Potential lymphangitis, i.e. increasingly filled leg and lameness

Signs of vague ill health such as poor appetite, dullness and reduced production of droppings. One exception to this may be donkeys who stop eating but show minimal other signs yet be suffering from the serious metabolic condition known as hyperlipidaemia.

Flare ups of chronic laminitis

Flare ups of chronic inflammatory respiratory disease

Question 29

Eye problems?

Answer 29

Eye problems?

.Cataracts - degeneration of the eye lens, unable to see on one side, eye may be cloudy or white.

.Conjunctivitis - eye membranes are red, swollen & watery which will eventually become more pus like discharge.

Question 30

Nose problems?

Answer 30

Nose problems?

.Sinusitis - discharge from one nostril where pus is draining from the sinus into the nasal cavity. Common cause is a tooth root abscess. Pus must all be drained out.

.Nose bleed - blood which in many cases comes from somewhere else in the respiratory system, drains from the horse’s nose.

Question 31

Mouth problems?

Answer 31

Mouth problems?

.Guttural pouch problem - swelling behind the skin immediately below the ear, down the back of the jaw. There may be blood or pus in the sac, which will drain out via the nostril.

.Dental problems - Drop unchewed food out of its mouth or may stop eating altogether. An abscess will cause toothache.

.Bit problems

Question 32

Respiratory disorders?

Answer 32

Respiratory disorders?

.Herpes virus infection

.Equine influenza

.Strangles

.Pneumonia

.Lungworm

.laryngeal paralysis

.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

.Equine asthma

Question 33

Circulatory disorders?

Answer 33

Circulatory disorders?

.Anaemia

.Heart problems

.Dehydration

.Lymphagitis

.Azoturia

.Viral Arteritis (EVA)

.African horse sickness (AHS)

Question 34

Digestive system problems?

Answer 34

Digestive system problems?

.Colic - stops eating, look round at belly, stamping at the ground, kicking belly, lie down. In acute pain it will roll over repeatedly, pulse may increase to 60 or 80bpm.

.Choke - food stuck in oesophagus & horse is very distressed.

.Diarrhoea - loose dropping, dehydration, weight loss.

.Poisoning

.Gastric ulcers

Question 35

Leg disorders?

Answer 35

Leg disorders?

.Sprained tendon - tendon thickened, tendon sheath that surrounds it becomes puffy and warm to the touch. Can be very painful and none weight bearing.

.Bowed tendon - permanently swollen tendon, a solid firm swelling down the back of the flexor tendon (NOT LAME).

.Broken knee (NOT FRACTURE) - open wound on front of knee.

.Over reach

.Strike

.Tread

.Brushing

.Speedicut

.Splint - May be lame, usually hard swelling on the side of the cannon bone, which may be sore in the initial stages.

.Fracture - broken bone, extreme pain, unable to use affected leg.

.Sore shin - affects cannon bone, lame, front of one or both fore cannons is painful to pressure. May be heat & swelling.

. Cellulitis

Question 36

Skin disorders?

Answer 36

Skin disorders?

.Sarcoids

.Mud fever

.Cracked heels

.Rain scald

.Saddle sore & girth gall

.Ringworm

.Hypoderma (warbles)

.Sweet itch

.Lice

.Mange

Question 37

Foot disorders?

Answer 37

Foot disorders?

.Bruised sole - horn around white line may be discoloured, lameness.

.Corn - bruising of the seat of corn, lameness.

.Laminitis - inflammation of the sensitive laminae causing lameness.

.Seedy toe - infection in the hoof, painful, black pus.

.Navicular disease - intermittent lameness.

.Pedal Ostitis - involving the navicular bone, development of navicular disease.

.Abscess - bacteria in wound causes pus filled localised area

.Sand crack - cracked hoof & can be lame

.Thrush - infection of the frog, black smelly discharge from frog.

Question 38

Joint problems?

Answer 38

Joint problems?

.Puffy joint - swollen joint (NO PAIN OR LAMENESS)

.Ringbone - lame, enlargement of the pastern bones or above the coronet.

.Side bone - growth on the cartilage in the heel area.

.Windgall - production of extra joint fluid above fetlock, soft swelling & not lame

.Thoroughpin - soft swelling above the point of hock between the bone & tendon

.Spavin - bone enlargement, lame on one or both hindlegs. Sometimes a hard bony swelling can be seen low down on the inside of the hock.

.Curb - thickening of the ligament, firm swelling on the back of the leg at the bottom of the hock. Can be lame.

.Capped hock or elbow - swelling on the joint, cold painless swelling on the point of hock or elbow.

.Patellar fixation

.Sesamoiditis - pain & swelling at the back of the fetlock joint

.Osteochondrosis (OCD) - bone disease of young horses. Suddenly lame, can affect a number of different joints.

Question 39

Internal parasites?

Answer 39

Internal parasites?

.Large redworm (Strongyulus)

.Small redworm (Cyathostomes)

.White worm (Ascaris)

.Tapeworm (Anoplocephaia)

.Lungworm (Dictyocaulus)

.Pinworm (Oxyuris)

.Bot (Gasterophilus)

Question 40

Cellulitis?

Answer 40

Cellulitis?

.is a bacterial infection of the soft connective tissues under the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body, but in horses the infection commonly occurs in one of the hind legs. Cellulitis typically starts with sudden swelling that is warm and painful to the touch.

Question 41

Equine asthma?

Answer 41

Equine asthma?

.Caused by exposure to high concentrations of organic dust, especially the dust particles that are small enough to pass with inhaled air to the lower airways.

.Such particles are commonly found in hay and bedding.

Question 42

Laminitis?

Answer 42

Laminitis?

.Inflammation of the laminae in the hoof.

.Horse tries to take weight off its toes and sinks back on its heels. In acute cases will be none weight bearing and hooves will be warm.

.Cause - over eating, eating pasture called fructans, or a toxic process causes the release into the blood of chemicals that constrict small blood vessels such as those around the sensitive laminae of the hooves.