How to care for the basic health needs of horses
Incisional hernias (protrusion of abdominal contents through a gap in an incision beneath the skin) occur in up to 17% of horses receiving abdominal surgery, reported Gal Kelmer, DVM, MS, clinical assistant professor at the University of
The high degree of detail seen with MRI has made it possible for veterinarians to find equine injuries they’ve never seen before. One example of this–MRI evaluation of desmitis in the oblique and straight distal sesamoidean ligaments–was discussed.
All animals can choke, including horses. When it happens, it should be considered a medical emergency. A horse chokes when its esophagus is obstructed, rather than the trachea, or windpipe. Although horses are still able to breathe in this
The International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP) held the first of its second series of lectures earlier this month. Around 100 veterinarians attended the weekend course hosted by Virginia Equine Imaging and led by Jean-Marie
The chronically laminitic horse is often a very tough case to manage because displacement of the coffin bone within the foot leads to a lot of pain and damage, in addition to the damage that allowed the displacement in the first place.
The urinary tract is a vital system; if a problem develops, it can rapidly become a crisis.
Going to the dentist annually is not only necessary for humans; it is an important part of equine health. Annual dental exams are extremely important for horses young and old to help ensure the animals comfort and performance.
Cleet Griffin,
At the recent Sound Horse Conference, leading animal welfare organizations joined with Tennessee Walking Horse industry groups to announce the formation of the new Alliance to End Soring. The conference took place April 11 and 12 in
Texas A&M researchers have discovered they can reduce the incidence of foal pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi by giving the antimicrobial drug azithromycin during foals’ first two weeks of life.
Pain originating in the upper cannon bone area, just below the knee or hock, is common in all types of equine athletes. However, it can be difficult to determine exactly what structure is injured; some injuries can only be seen with high-field MRI.
The airways of many breeds of horses, particularly Thoroughbreds, are evaluated via an endoscope and graded before sale. The intent is to identify horses whose airways might have problems that could limit the horses’ performance at maximal
The name is deceiving, but Potomac horse fever (PHF) is not just a concern for horses near the Potomac River. Cases have been found across most of the United States.1 Knowing the key signs of PHF and watching carefully for them can
“Tendonitis of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is a common injury in horses, especially racehorses and event horses,” began Ty Wallis, DVM, a third-year resident in equine surgery at Colorado State University (CSU). “It’s usually
According to a group of researchers from the United Kingdom, heart murmurs are common in athletic horses, but do not negatively impact racing performance.
“A high prevalence of heart murmurs is known to exist in horses,” explained Lesley
The sacroiliac joint, which forms the articulation between the pelvis and the spine, is often considered a location of elusive pain in horses. However, its deep location and, thereby, limited accessibility make diagnosis (via nerve blocks) and
Many methods have been used to straighten crooked limbs on foals, and in the past staples placed across the “long” side’s growth plate have received somewhat mixed reviews. However, some researchers suggest that this was due to poor staple choic
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