Term
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Definition
| Cause of an obstruction of food or foreign objects like grain, hay, or pulp. Signs include nasal discharge from feed material, saliva, and coughing. Palpation of esophageal can be done during a PE. Using an endoscope will be best to use to locate obstruction. |
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Definition
| Mostly described as abdominal pain. Common signs are pawing at the ground, kicking and trying to bite flanks with discomfort. They could also lose their appetite. Hx of patient will help with DX. |
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Definition
| Sharp enamel points on the premolar, molar, and the wolf tooth. They could cause discomfort and lacerations on the cheeks. Floating the teeth will help to smooth them out |
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Definition
| They appear on the upper(maxilla) or lower (mandible) of the cheek. Signs such as dropping food out of mouth, chewing on one side, and losing weight. If not floated in time, could cause swelling and infection in mouth. |
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Definition
| This drug is a NSAID and is licensed for IV but it could be given IM. IM should be avoided due to the risk of clostridial myositis infection. It is used to reduce the fever and also lung inflammation. It reduces the pain of the musculoskeletal disorders |
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Definition
| This has an affect on many foals. This bacteria survives in the soil and causes abscesses in the lungs because of pneumonia. This is a Gram positive bacteria. Clinical signs include fever, coughing, and an increase of respiratory rate and shallow breaths. There will be a wheezing/crackle sound. Since this is viral, it is important to keep separate from other horses. Antibiotics will help treat. |
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Definition
| This is the inability to sweat. It could be caused by over stimulation of the horses sweat glands by stress hormones. This is more common for them in the summer time and this could put the horse at risk for hyperthermia or heat stroke. Diluted terbutaline can be injected in series to see the cause. |
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Definition
| This is also known as streptococcus equi. It is also a gram positive coccoid and it sheds through nasal discharge from infected horses, vectors, and discharge from draining abscesses. Clinical signs are swelling of submandibular, mucopurulent nasal discharge, and fever. Nasal washes help to clean the discharge out and giving penicillin as an antibacterial.To prevent, the strangles vaccines should be given. |
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Term
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Definition
| This is a collapse of the laryngeal cartilages causing a roaring noise when air travels through a narrow opening that leads to the trachea. Using an endoscopy of the upper airway would be the best way to diagnose and surgery is the only way to treat. |
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Term
| Exercise induced pulmonary |
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Definition
| When horse is under strenuous exercise (race horse) they tend to get this. Signs would be epistaxis and bleeding from trachea/lungs and there will be a decrease of performance. A possible rupture of a blood vessel in the lungs or pressure related. Treatment would be furosemide to reduce the incidence and severity of EIPH. |
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Term
| Recurrent Airway Obstruction |
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Definition
| Mold or dust in hay could cause allergens which will in turn cause airway obstructions. Signs would be coughing, flaring of nasals, weight loss, and performance decrease. A cytology on the respiratory secretions will be the basis of the dx. Treatment would be reducing dust around the horses area and having a clean air flow. |
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Term
| Equine Metabolic syndrome |
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Definition
| This is mostly seen with obesity of horses. Exercising and soaking the hay and putting on a grazing muzzle to reduce the food intake and have weight under control. Horses between the age of 5-16 are seen with this. The most common breeds are the saddlebred, TW, mustang, and the quarter horse. This could occur because of insulin resistance. |
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Definition
| This occurs when a tumor grows on the pituitary gland. Signs would include weight loss, ulcers in mouth, polyuria, and being prone to infection. Blood work would need to be done to rule out anything else. This can be managed but not treated. Pergolide is the medication that could be used to slow it down. |
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Definition
| The goal is to prevent the spread of active disease, and potential diseases. The new arrivals should be isolated form 7-10 days in case of transmitting illnesses. Isolating any animals that could have been exposed to sick animals should be done. The animals that are sick should be worked with last to prevent spreading. Separating tools used on sick animals, washing hands, and wearing ppe to protect you and other animals. |
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Definition
| This disease is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on infected wild birds and it also affects people. This disease appears about 5 days after the mosquito bites the horse. It attacks the nervous system. Signs include fever, sleepy appearance, muscle twitches of the neck and head area, and weak staggering gait. There is no treatment and theres a 90% fatality rate or higher. If they do survive, severe brain damage will occur. |
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Term
| West Nile Virus (encephalitis) |
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Definition
| This effects the brain and the nervous system (inflammation). It is transmitted by mosquitoes and could be fatal with a possible recovery. Core vaccine would be done as a preventative. |
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Term
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Definition
| This is transmitted by saliva and through bites by another animal that is affected. It is a fatal disease and carriers include opossums, skunks, raccoons, and bats. Clinical signs would include mutilation, neurological signs and fever. The rabies vaccine is only given by a veterinarian. |
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Term
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Definition
| Transmitted by blood sucking insects. Clinical signs include fever, anorexia, lethargic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. A coggins test would be done to diagnose and it is a reportable disease by state veterinarian. |
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Term
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Definition
| There are 5 different serotypes: agona, newport, krefeld, and typhimurium. They can be subclinical intermittently shed with common symptoms of fever, anorexia, and watery stool.This causes neutropenia. For treatment, fluids, electrolytes, nsaids, and antibiotics would be needed. 5 fecal cytologies should be done to be clear of salomonella. |
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Term
| Potomac Horse Fever (neorickettsia risticii) |
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Definition
| This is a gram negative bacteria within the flukes that affects the monocytes. The flukes shed infected larvae in the water. This causes the bacteria to replicate in the GI tract causing fever, diarrhea, and laminitis. |
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Term
| Lyme Disease (borrelia burgdorferi) |
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Definition
| This is a gram negative unicellular spirochete with flagellar projections. This is transmitted by the female tick. Clinical signs include fever, stiffness, and anorexia and uveitis. |
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Term
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Definition
| Shaker is caused by botulism. It occurs in foals less than 4 weeks old. Often times, they can be found dead without any signs. Clinical signs are stilted gait, muscle tumors, and being unable to stand less than 5 min. Dyspnea, tachycardia, and respiratory arrest can occur causing death when the disease progresses. |
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Term
| Tetanus (clostridium tetani) |
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Definition
This is a gram positive bacillus bacteria. This occurs when the bacteria is exposed by wounds and incision sites. There's a 50% fatality rate. If the hoof is punctured, or hot nail
and lacerations occur, it cause this. The saw horse stance is a muscle rigidity (common sign). |
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Term
| Botulism (clostridium botulinum) |
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Definition
| This is a gram spore anaerobic bacterium that can be found in water, soil, and contaminated feeds. This could cause paralysis by the blockade of acteylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. Shaker syndrome is caused by this. Supportive care and anti toxin could be done for treatment. |
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Term
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Definition
| This is the development of osteoarthritis of the hock joint. It is a common cause of lameness. Lameness could be unilateral or bilateral and it could occur in one joint or many at the same time. For diagnosis, radiographs are useful. NSAIDS, corticosteroids, and remedial trimming are used for pain. |
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Term
| Black Walnut Shaving Toxin |
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Definition
| Causes laminitis. Found in the eastern part of US. Could be found in horse bedding |
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Term
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Definition
| This occurs when there is a bond between the dermal and epidermal laminae. It is a common detrimental side effect of systemic steroid use in horses. This is also a side effect of potomatic horse fever. |
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Term
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Definition
| This affects the navicular bone. The cause is unknown but it causes damge to the navicular are and could result in lameness. It is found in horses that are older than 5 years. Radiographs are done to help further diagnose to see the severity. The horse will favor the limb thats injured. |
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Term
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Definition
| This is a chronic hypertrophic pododermatitis of the tissues of the foot. A wet environment is the cause of this infection and causes a foul odor. It will have a cottage cheese look to it. Lameness will occur to the corium of the hoof when it is infected. For treatment, debridement, plates, and a topical antimicrobial agent. |
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Term
| Thrush (fusobacterium necrophorum) |
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Definition
| This is a bacterial infection caused by unsanitary wet environments. Black exudate and foul smells will be noticed. It occurs in the tissue of the from. The organism eats away the tissue which leaves the black exudate. Soaking and cleaning with aseptic solution gets rid of infection and odor. |
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Term
| Greese heel, Mud Fever, Scratches |
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Definition
| This is an inflammatory condition of the skin of the lower limbs. Signs would include swelling, inflammation, and scabs. This is found in moist environments that hold bacteria and yeast. Warm wash cloths, topical ointments and medicated washes would be the best treatment. |
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Term
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Definition
| This involves the soft tissue or coronary band of the horse. It can be caused by bacteria entering into any cracks or sores of the hoof resulting infection. This can abscess if not taken care of right away. Signs include fever, favoring leg, lameness, and loss of appetite. For prevention, check hoofs, clean and trim. |
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Term
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Definition
| If lameness occurs or if the horse has to lose its leg, it would need to be euthanized. Exams should be done of the hoofs with testers, palpating the limbs, and flexion testing. It is best to observe when the horse is trotting to see which leg it is. When trotting, if the horses head goes up when a leg strikes down, that leg is the lame one. The use of acupuncture, mesotherapy, and shock wave therapy will help treat the lameness. |
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Term
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Definition
| Hyperflexion in both hock joints when walking. The cause of this is unknown. Notice horse may hold rear leg up or kicking at the abdomen. There is no treatment and it is a progressive disease. Electromygraphy is done to confirm this making sure its not painful. |
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Term
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Definition
| This compresses the spinal cord in the neck. This occurs in most younger horses (<4yrs) and could be genetic. Signs would be hanging the head low. Myelograms would need to be done to see what could be done for surgery. After surgery is done, anti inflammatory medication, support, and diet could be done for treatment. |
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Term
| Nutritional Myodegeneration (white muscle disease/stiff lamb disease) |
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Definition
| This affects the skeletal and cardiac muscle. This occurs when there is a Vitamin E deficiency and occurs in horses less than a year old. Sudden death could be expected because it involves the cardiac muscles. Blood work and necropsy for diagnosis. |
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Term
| HYPP (Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis) |
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Definition
| This is an overload of potassium levels. Horse will look pretty jacked on steroids. Quarter horses, appaloosas, and american paints are more prone to this. Clinical signs are muscle weakness, muscle fasciculations, and respiratory obstructions.A low potassium diet would be needed. If an emergency, give corn syrup to increase the insulin levels to lower K levels. |
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Term
| PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopahty) |
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Definition
| This is an abnormal accumulation of sugar in the muscle. Clinical signs are muscle stiffness, reluctant to move, and loss of muscle mass. Quarter horses, draft horses, and warmblood horses are more prone to this. This could be genetic. Blood work could be done to check the CK and AST elevations. The gold standard is muscle biopsy. To prevent: diet, exercise, and vitamin E supplements are recommended for treatment. |
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Term
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Definition
| These are known as gut rocks or stones in the intestinal tract. If things do not digest right, the body forms enterolith to help protect the body because if it cant be broken down into a liquid, then body will see this as a threat. Radiographs will need to be done and they will need to be surgically removed. |
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Term
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Definition
| Neuromuscular diseases include PSSM, HYPP, NMD, and wobbler syndrome |
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