Strangles, also known as distemper, is a highly contagious disease among horses. Strangles in horses is characterized by inflammation of the nasal and pharyngeal mucous membranes, with swelling, inflammation and abscessing in the lymph nodes; fever is also common...
According to an IDEXX Laboratories survey of more than 2,000 horse owners and trainers regarding equine lameness, joint pain is plaguing our horses. Here’s what respondents said:• Approximately 50 percent revealed that their horses suffer from some form of lameness.• More...
When veterinarians evaluate horses for lameness, they usually provide the owners with written descriptions of what they observe. For example, “Lame at trot, left fore, +3 ... ,” is what you might find scrawled in a vet’s notes. While...
Researchers in the United Kingdom have released a study that finds horses living in stalls show markedly decreased behavioral problems when fed a diet rich in variety—similar to that found on pasture.In the study*, stabled horses fed multiple forages...
Researchers at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine are warning that overuse and misuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as bute, Banamine, ketoprofen and naproxen may cause gastrointestinal injury (stomach ulcers, and severe inflammation and injury...
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...
If you become incapacitated during an accident, you can make sure your horses will be taken care of by leaving information that will help direct emergency responders. You may also want to include the phone number of your equine...
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...
