Signs of EPM

Signs of EPM

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a master of disguise. This serious disease, which attacks the horse’s central nervous system, can be difficult to diagnose because its signs often mimic other health problems in the horse and signs can range from mild to severe. More than 50 percent of all U.S. horses have been exposed to the parasite that causes EPM.  Horses can come into contact with the parasite while grazing or eating feed or drinking water contaminated by opossum feces.  Fortunately, not all horses exposed to the parasite develop the disease.

The clinical signs of EPM can be quite varied. Clinical signs are usually asymmetrical (not the same on both sides of the horse). Actual signs may depend on the severity and location of the lesions that develop in the brain, brain stem or spinal cord.

If left undiagnosed and untreated, EPM can cause devastating and lasting neurological damage.  Use this checklist of symptoms from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) when assessing your horse’s condition for the possibility of EPM:

  • Ataxia (incoordination), spasticity (stiff, stilted movements), abnormal gait or lameness.
  • Incoordination and weakness which worsens when going up or down slopes or when head is elevated.
  • Muscle atrophy, most noticeable along the topline or in the large muscles of the hindquarters, but can sometimes involve the muscles of the face or front limbs.
  • Paralysis of muscles of the eyes, face or mouth, evident by drooping eyes, ears or lips.
  • Difficulty swallowing.
  • Seizures or collapse.
  • Abnormal sweating.
  • Loss of sensation along the face, neck or body.
  • Head tilt with poor balance; horse may assume a splay-footed stance or lean against stall walls for support.

 

 

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your horse has developed EPM.  The sooner treatment begins, the better the horse’s chances for recovery.  For more information on methods of prevention and the treatment options for EPM, ask your equine veterinarian for a copy of the “EPM: Understanding this Debilitating Disease” client education brochure, provided by the AAEP in partnership with Bayer Animal Health, an AAEP Educational Partner.  Additional information also can be found on the AAEP’s horse-health Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.

*Permission for use is granted with attribution given to the AAEP and Bayer Animal Health.

Signs of Laminitis

Signs of Laminitis

Every day veterinarians across the country see hundreds of cases of laminitis, a painful disease that affects the feet of horses.  Laminitis results from the disruption of blood flow to the sensitive and insensitive laminae within the foot, which secure the coffin bone to the hoof wall.  While the exact mechanisms by which the feet are damaged remain a mystery, certain precipitating events can produce laminitis.  Although laminitis occurs in the feet, the underlying cause is often a disturbance elsewhere in the horse’s body.

 

As a horse owner, it is important to recognize the signs of laminitis and seek veterinary help immediately.

Signs of acute laminitis include the following:

  • Lameness, especially when a horse is turning in circles; shifting lameness when standing
  • Heat in the feet
  • Increased digital pulse in the feet
  • Pain in the toe region when pressure is applied with hoof testers
  • Reluctant or hesitant gait, as if “walking on eggshells”
  • A “sawhorse stance,” with the front feet stretched out in front to alleviate pressure.

Signs of chronic laminitis may include the following:

 

  • Rings in hoof wall that become wider as they are followed from toe to heel
  • Bruised soles or “stone bruises”
  • Widened white line, commonly called “seedy toe,” with occurrence of blood pockets and/or abscesses
  • Dropped soles or flat feet
  • Dished hooves, which are the result of unequal rates of hoof growth

If you suspect laminitis, consider it a medical emergency and notify your veterinarian immediately.  The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance for recovery.  For information about laminitis, ask your equine veterinarian for the “Laminitis:  Prevention and Treatment” brochure provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in association with Bayer Animal Health, an AAEP Educational Partner.  Additional information can also be found on the AAEP’s horse health Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.

*Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus

Since first being recognized in the United States in 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has posed a serious threat to horses and humans alike.   In the equine population, the virus is transmitted when a mosquito takes a blood meal from a bird infected with WNV, then feeds on a horse.  While many horses exposed to WNV experience no signs of illness, the virus can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.  In some cases, especially in older horses, WNV can be fatal.
            As a horse owner, prevention is the key to reducing your horse’s risk of contracting WNV.  Follow these guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to protect your horse against WNV:

  • Consider vaccinating your horse against the disease.  In February 2003, a vaccine was licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Center for Veterinary Biologics for use in healthy horses as an aid in the prevention of the disease.  Talk with your veterinarian about the most appropriate vaccination schedule for your horse.
  • Eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites.  Dispose of old receptacles, tires and containers and eliminate areas of standing water.
  • Thoroughly clean livestock watering troughs at least monthly.
  • Use larvicides to control mosquito populations when it is not possible to eliminate particular breeding sites.  Such action should only be taken, however, in consultation with your local mosquito control authority.
  • Keep your horse indoors during the peak mosquito activity periods of dusk to dawn.
  • Screen stalls if possible or at least install fans over your horse to help deter mosquitoes.
  • Avoid turning on lights inside the stable during the evening or overnight.
  • Using insect repellants on your horse that are designed to repel mosquitoes can help reduce the chance of being bitten.
  • Remove any birds, including chickens, located in or close to a stable.
  • Don’t forget to protect yourself as well.  When outdoors in the evening, wear clothing that covers your skin and apply plenty of mosquito repellent.

           For more information about the virus, ask your equine veterinarian for the “West Nile Virus” brochure, produced by the AAEP in conjunction with Bayer Animal Health, an AAEP Educational Partner.  Additional information about WNV can be found on the AAEP’s horse-health Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.

*Printed with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Caring for Older Horses

Caring for Older Horses

Because of advances in nutrition, management and health care, horses are living longer, more useful lives. It’s not uncommon to find horses and ponies living well into their 20s and 30s.  While genetics play a role in determining life span, you too, can have an impact.
You may think that turning your old-timer out to pasture is the kindest form of retirement. But horses are individuals.  Some enjoy being idle; others prefer to be a part of the action.  Whatever you do, don’t ignore the horse.  Proper nutrition, care and exercise will help the animal thrive. Follow these guidelines to develop a total management plan for your older horse:

  1. Observe your horse on a regular basis.  Watch for changes in body condition, behavior and attitude. Address problems, even seemingly minor ones, right away.
  2. Feed a high quality diet.  Avoid dusty and moldy feeds.
  3. Feed your older horse away from younger, more aggressive ones so it won’t have to compete for feed.
  4. Feed at more frequent intervals so as not to upset the digestive system. Two-three times daily is best.
  5. Provide plenty of fresh, clean, tepid water.  Excessively cold water reduces consumption which can lead to colic and other problems.
  6. Adjust and balance rations to maintain proper body conditions.  A good rule of thumb is to be able to feel the ribs but not see them.
  7. Provide adequate, appropriate exercise to maintain muscle tone, flexibility and mobility.
  8. Groom your horse frequently to promote circulation and skin health.
  9. Be aware that older horses are prone to tumors.  Look for any unusual lumps or growths from head to tail as well as beneath the tail (especially on gray horses).
  10. Schedule routine checkups with your equine veterinarian.  Call immediately if you suspect a problem.

A quick response to ailments, injuries or a decline in fitness can keep your older horse from having a serious or prolonged setback.  That means less worry for you and a better quality of life for your old friend.  For more information about caring for the older horse, ask your equine veterinarian for the “Older Horse” brochure, provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership with Educational Partners Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills, Inc.  Visit the AAEP’s horse health web site, www.myHorseMatters.com, for additional information about caring for the older horse.

 

*Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Coggins and EIA

Coggins and EIA

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a potentially fatal disease that threatens the world’s horse, donkey and mule populations.  The virus that causes EIA reproduces in the white blood cells that circulate throughout the body.  The immune system, via antibodies, may attack and destroy red blood cells, leading to anemia.  Infected horses may die from the direct effects of the virus or from secondary infections.  Despite testing and measures to eradicate the equine infectious anemia virus, EIAV, more than 500 new cases are identified each year in the U.S.
            There is no cure for EIA.  Although most horses show no symptoms, they remain contagious for life, endangering the health of other horses.  For this reason, the United States Department of Agriculture and state animal health regulatory agencies require euthanasia or strict lifelong quarantine for horses testing positive for EIA.
            Your horse’s only protection against EIA is prevention.  Good management practices can reduce the potential of infection.  The following guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) will help:

 

  • Use disposable needles and syringes, one per horse, when administering vaccines and medications.
  • Sterilize dental tools and other instruments before using them on another horse.
  • Test all horses for EIA at least annually.
  • Test horses at the time of purchase examination.
  • Stable owners, horse show and event managers should require and verify current negative Coggins certificates for all horses entering the premises.
  • New horses should be quarantined for 45 days and observed for any signs of illness, including elevated temperatures, before introducing them to the herd.  They should be retested if exposure to EIA is suspected at a 45-day interval.
  • All stable areas should be kept clean, dry and waste-free.  Good pasture management techniques should also be practiced.  Remove manure and provide adequate drainage to discourage breeding sites for pests.
  • Horses at greater risk, such as those in frequent contact with outside horses or who live or travel in geographic regions known for EIA outbreaks, should be tested more frequently, every 4 – 6 months.

    For more information about EIA, ask your equine veterinarian for “Equine Infectious Anemia: The Only Protection if Prevention,” a brochure provided by the AAEP in conjunction with Educational Partner Bayer Animal Health.  Additional information can be found on the AAEP’s horse health Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.

*Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Preventing Colic

Preventing Colic

The number one killer of horses is colic.  Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse.  Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored.  Many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time.  Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic – and seeking qualified veterinary help – can the chance for recovery be maximized.
    While horses seem predisposed to colic due to the anatomy and function of their digestive tracts, management can play a key role in prevention.  Although not every case is avoidable, the following guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) can maximize the horse’s health and reduce the risk of colic:

  • Establish a daily routine – include feeding and exercise schedules – and stick to it.
  • Feed a high quality diet comprised primarily of roughage.
  • Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-dense supplements. (At least half the horse’s energy should be supplied through hay or forage.  A better guide is that twice as much energy should be supplied from a roughage source than from concentrates.)
  • Divide daily concentrate rations into two or more smaller feedings rather than one large one to avoid overloading the horse’s digestive tract.  Hay is best fed free-choice.
  • Set up a regular parasite control program with the help of your equine practitioner.
  • Provide exercise and/or turnout on a daily basis.  Change the intensity and duration of an exercise regimen gradually.
  • Provide fresh, clean water at all times.  
  • Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially in sandy soils.
  • Check hay, bedding, pasture, and environment for potentially toxic substances, such as blister beetles, noxious weeds, and other ingestible foreign matter.
  • Reduce stress.  Horses experiencing changes in environment or workloads are at high risk of intestinal dysfunction.  Pay special attention to horses when transporting them or changing their surroundings, such as at shows.

    Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic.  Age, sex, and breed differences in susceptibility seem to be relatively minor.  The type of colic seen appears to relate to geographic or regional differences, probably due to environmental factors such as sandy soil or climatic stress.  Importantly, what this tells us is that, with conscientious care and management, we have the potential to reduce and control colic, the number one killer of horses.
    For more information about colic prevention and treatment, ask your equine veterinarian for the “Colic” brochure, provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership with Educational Partner Bayer Animal Health.  Additional colic information is available by visiting the AAEP’s horse health web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.

 

*Reprinted with permission from the AAEP