Catching dental problems early can help keep your horse healthy. Horses over 5 years old should receive annual checkups; younger horses should be examined twice a year.The following disorders can signal dental trouble and need immediate veterinary attention:Dropping...
Q. What is your advice regarding when to call out the vet if you suspect that your horse is colicking? Do you have some general guidelines on this?
A. Colic can be a serious and life-threatening condition if there...
Equine herpes virus (EHV) is a difficult disease to control. “It is speculated that 80 to 90 percent of horses become infected with EHV by 2 years of age, and up to 90 percent of adult horses are latent...
If your horse travels or is exposed to unfamiliar horses on a regular basis, talk to your veterinarian about regular immunization against equine influenza. While it’s true that influenza viruses do evolve to bypass the horse’s immune defense, you...
According to recent research published by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the current recommendations for the primary rabies vaccine “are likely ineffective in foals” whose mothers are vaccinated against the disease.The research indicates that the maternal antibodies...
Q. If I suspect that my horse is choking, what first-aid protocol should I follow while waiting for the veterinarian to arrive?A. Simple choke, or esophageal obstruction, is the most common disorder of the esophagus in horses. Horses can...
Horses are more sensitive to botulism than any other domesticated animal species. The bacterium that causes this disease is ubiquitous in nature, especially in soil.Causes and Symptoms of Botulism
Botulism occurs when toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum enter...
Cantharidin, the highly toxic substance found in blister beetles, can cause severe complications and death if ingested by your horse. Blister beetles swarm in alfalfa fields and can accidentally end up in hay bales. The best way to avoid...
Researchers in Australia* are warning that there “is an urgent need for research” to confirm the efficacy and safety of L-tryptophan supplementation in horses. A naturally occurring amino acid found in human foods such as turkey, chicken, pork and...
1. Routine: Keeping a consistent daily routine is important for horses. Any change in a horse’s routine can lead to digestive upset. Feed at the same time each day and turn out for the same number of hours daily. 2....
