Latest News – The Horse
Lepto in Kentucky
Leptospirosis, often called just “lepto,” can cause flu-like illness in horses that sometimes results in abortion or uveitis (moon blindness). In Kentucky, there seems to be a cyclic pattern to abortions caused by leptospirosis. In 2001, there were about 40 cases, but the past two years there were less than 10 each year. Through Jan. 29 of this year, there have been 33 cases, according to Nei
Mad Cow Disease and Horses
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was first identified in the United Kingdom in 1986. A fact sheet from Iowa State University said BSE is one of several diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). There are three rare forms of TSE diseases in humans, scrapie in sheep (not transmissible to man), chronic wasting disease in deer and elk (not transmissible to man), and
Relieving Rectal Pain in Mares
Roman Skarda, DrMedVet., PhD, professor in the Anesthesia Section of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State University, has studied techniques of epidural and spinal analgesia in horses for 20 years. For the past seven
New Dewormer Targets Tapeworms and Encysted Small Strongyles
Farnam Horse Products has released ComboCare, a new over-the-counter dewormer that kills ascarids, tapeworms, small strongyles (including the encysted stages), and bots.
Research suggests that more than 50% of U.S. horses have been exposed to tapeworms. ComboCare provides praziquantel to ensure effective control against the parasites by preventing tapeworm larvae from clinging to the
IVERCARE–Because You Care Winners Announced
Five winners are sharing prize money totaling $17,500 in the IVERCARE–Because You Care award program. The program, sponsored by Farnam Horse Products, rewards nonprofit organizations and individuals who strive to improve the health and welfare of horses and/or humans who love them.
All nominees were posted on www.IverCare.com for
Compensating for Lameness; Not What You Thought
When a horse is lame, he often seems to be changing his gait in the diagonal limb to compensate. Recent research has shown this to be true, but the manner in which the horse does this is surprising.
Research was conducted at the McPhail Equine Performance Center at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Often in hind limb lameness diagnosis, veterinarians look for a
Preventing Supporting Limb Laminitis
“Laminitis in the contralateral (opposite fore or hind) limb is a well-recognized and potentially devastating sequela (result) in conditions that cause unilateral non-weight-bearing lameness,” said Ric Redden, DVM, founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center in Versailles, Ky., in his presentation on the topic.
“The mechanism of contralateral limb (also called supporting limb)
Recurrent Colic Q&A
My horse has recurrent colic and our veterinarian wants to treat her permanently with a low dose of prednisolone. Has this treatment been successful, and what side effects could be expected?
Compounding Medications and Legalities
Compounding is not permitted by the FDA, she said. However, the FDA recognizes that veterinarians often need to compound drugs and therefore exercises its enforcement discretion to permit compounding. She said the confusion starts because of the broad law that puts the veterinarian in incompliance de facto, but enforcement is discretionary.
Colic Surgery and Reperfusion Injury
During colic surgery, it can be difficult to judge whether twisted bowel deprived of oxygenated blood, a process called ischemia, will recover sufficiently once it is replaced and blood flows again. While the bowel might look healthy on the outside,
Diseases of Dietary Origin
The axiom, “You are what you eat” does have relevance to horses with regard to health and well-being. Here’s a review some of the more common dietary problems that affect various organ systems in the horse.
Foal Care When There Are Problems
If a new foal develops a problem requiring surgery, time is of the essence, said Rolf Embertson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. The time from recognition of abdominal pain to arrival of the foal at the clinic, evaluation for surgery, and surgery preparation and execution could affect the prognosis dramatically.
AAEP Wrap-Up: Further Reading
Each year we report more information on this convention than can be covered in these pages. Full versions of some articles and additional reports can be found by visiting www.TheHorse.com/AAEP2003 or by using the given article numbers.
- “Dystocia Management,” #4954
AAEP Wrap-Up: Learning in the Big Easy
A record crowd of nearly 6,200 attended the 49th annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in New Orleans, La. Included in that total was twice the number of veterinary students who attended the 2002 convention. The convention offered nearly 100 scientific presentations, hands-on wet labs, and an equine health seminar for horse owners.
The 50th Annual
AAEP Wrap-Up: Kester News Hour
With researchers worldwide working on solutions to various horse health problems, there is a veritable mountain of information being published continuously. Much of this information is included in AAEP convention presentations, but some of this valuable research was either too new or brief to be included in the program.
AAEP Wrap-Up: Surgery
Surgery for DDSP
Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) occurs when the palate partially obstructs the airway by becoming displaced on top of the epiglottis. This can affect breathing, especially during intense exercise. Jennifer Smith, DVM, University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, discussed the combined effects of the surgeries
