horse health Flashcards
what is “normal” (Homeostasis)
a self regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changeing external conditions. ex: maintaining a reg. temp.
what is the integumentary system
skin plus specialized structures (hooves, hair, whiskers, subcutaneous muscles and fat)
what are the 3 major layers of skin
epidermis, dermis and subcutis
what is a sarcoid. how is it treated
-benign but locally aggressive tumor
-the most common
-watery look, resesmbles proud flesh
treatment: surgical removal or topical creams
what is mud fever. how is it treated
breaks in the skin leading to bacterial or fungal causing scaly patches, hair loss and inflammation on legs
treatment: clean with antibacterial soap, keep legs dry, ointments
what is rain rot. how is it treated
caused by opportunistic bacteria, enters through damaged skin causing crusty scabs or tufts that shed off and leave hairless patches.
treatment:change managment factors (blanket more often, more time in stall, more shelter) hygiene (groom and bath more) clean areas with anti bac soap
what are hives and how are they treated
round, raised bumps usually related to air-borne allergens, ingested allergens, vaccination or medication reactions.
treatment: steroids or antihistamines, oral powders or paste
what is equine papilloma virus and how is it treated
warts/lesions usually on the muzzle and lips and last approx. 60-100 days before horse builds natural immunity and warts disappear
treatment: usually not required
what is the cardiovascular system and its function
includes the heart and blood vessels
function: to distribute blood containing nutrients and oxygen to tissues of the body and to the lungs in exchange of gases and removes waste products via the blood and lymphatic
what are arteries
blood vessels that deliver oxygenated blood from the heart to the tissues and organs of the body
what are veins
blood vessels that deliver oxygenated blood from organs to the tissues back to the heart
what are heart sounds and how many bpm is normal
heart sounds are produced by contraction of muscle fibers in the heart pushing blood out and resulting in vibrations in the heart due to the circulation of blood
normal heart rate: 24-46bpm
what are heart murmurs
Sounds such as whooshing or swishing
• Heart murmurs can be harmless or effect performance
what are arrythmias
abnormalities of the rate, regularity, or site of heartbeat formation.
• Many arrhythmias have no effect on function, others can affect performance or be fatal
what is the respiratory system and its function
Highly specialized for exercise; even the
slightest change from normal can limit a horse’s performance.
Function: to deliver oxygen to the blood to supply tissues and organs with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide
what is the normal respiratory rate
8-16 bpm
What signs would indicate
a horse was having
respiratory issues?
coughing, nasal disgarge, reluctance to work, respiratory difficulty
Most common respiratory diseases
Equine influenza (flu) is the most common viral respiratory disease in horses. It affects the upper and lower respiratory tract of horses
what is the gastrointestinal system
The gastrointestinal system is responsible for turning food into usable sources of energy and eliminating the waste products
what is included in the GI system
Oral cavity, Esophagus, Stomach, Small intestine, Large Intestine, Cecum, small and large colon, Rectum
what is hypomotile
decreased motolity in the horses GI tract
what is hypermotile
increased (too much) movement in the GI tract
what is the function of the urinary system
Functions: Gets rid of the waste products that are created
when food is transformed into energy and maintains the correct balance of water and electrolytes (salts) within the
body.
what is included in the urinary system
Kidneys
Ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder)
Bladder
Urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body).
when does the mares estrous cycle typically take place
late april or early may until august
what are the 2 phases of the mares cycle
estrous phase (in heat)
diestrous phase (out of heat)
intestinal parasites
eggs produced by adult worms are shed in manure in pastures and can infect new horses
problems parasites can cause
horse requires more nutrients
can cause anemia
young horses grow slower
can reduce performance
can suppress the immune system
deadly in foals
internal parasites that cause health problems are
nemotodes
roundworms
tapeworms
stomach bots
large strongyle
most harmful
severe infection or life threatening
life cycle is 6 - 7 months
infected when horse consumes grass feed or water with larvae in it which burrow into arteries and then move to the intestines where they turn into worms
signs of large strongyle
weight loss
poor coat, diarrhea
colic, anemia
treatment - dewormer
small strongyles
(redworms or cyanthostomins)
similar life cycle to large strongyles
found on pature grasses
most common worms in horses
pretty much resistant to deworming
ascarids (roundworms)
affects foals and weanlings
develop immunity as they grow
transmission of roundworms
females pass eggs into poop
foal or yearling gets from eating grass or off feeeders and stall walls or water
eggs hatch larvae that travel through veings to lungs
then coughed up and swallowed and move into small intestine
signs of roundworms
potbelly, rough coat, slow growth, coughing, colic
treatment - proper deworming meds on schedule
treatment can cause intestinal blockage as dead parasites bind up instentines causing impaction colic
tapeworms
attach to intestinal lining
absorb nutrients and damage tissues
No real signs show up until colic symptoms start
stomach bots
bot flies lay eggs on horse coats
horses eat them and they develop larvae in the mouth
then they move to stomach and attach to the lining can stay there for months
need dewormer, should remove bot eggs from coat regularly
pinworms
lay eggs around butthole
causes itch
constant scratching causes hair loss and sores
threadworms
natual immunity usually deveops by 6 months
transferred to foals by mothers milk
fendabendazole
dewormer for pinworms and threadworms
dewormer for stomach bots
ivermectin moxidectin
dewormer for tapeworms
praziquantel
dewormer for roundworms
fenbendazole
pyrantel pamoate
dewormer for small strongyles
resistant to most dewormers
ivermectin, moxidectin, pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole
dewormers for large strongyle
ivermectin
fenbendazole
pyrantel pamoate
