Herd Health Management

1
Herd Health Management

• Equine Science II

2
Know Your Equine

1. The equine should be in good body condition and
   move freely
2. Normal vital signs may vary from one equine to
   another
3. Determine normal vital sign when the equine is at
   rest.

3

• Recognize changes
• Loss of appetite is one of the first warnings
  that something is wrong.
• Observe changes in the color, texture, amount,
  etc. of manure.
• Dullness of eyes and coat, a runny nose or a
  persistent cough can all be indications that
  something is wrong.

4
Respiration

• The normal rate an equine breathes while at rest
  is 8-16 breaths per minute.
• Any kind of distress or activity increases a
  equines respiration rate.
• When respiration rate exceeds the heart rate, the
  equine has a serious problem. Normally the heart
  beat about four times per breath the equine takes.

5

• Respiration rate can be determined without
  special equipment by
• Counting the number of times the flanks move in
  and out per minute. (Flanks move in and out with
  each breath).

6

• Counting the number of times the nostrils flare
  and contract per minute. (the nostrils flare and
  contract with each breath.)
• Holding the hand in front of the nostrils to feel
  the breaths that the equine takes may also help.

7
Temperature

• The normal temperature range is 99.5-101.5
  degrees F.
• 102 degrees F is a mild fever, 104 degrees F is
  moderate and 106 degrees F is a high fever
• The chance for recovery by an equine with a high
  temperature is low.

8

• Rest equine with a 102 degree F temperature and
  call a veterinarian when the temperature rises to
  103 degrees.

9

• Use a veterinary thermometer to check a equines
  temperature.
• Always take the equines temperature rectally.
• Allow three minutes for accurate reading
• Use the string attached to the thermometer to
  secure and retrieve.
• Inserting the thermometer full length helps
  prevent breaking

10

• Procedure for taking equines temperature
• Shake the mercury down to the 95-97 degree range.

11

• Dip the bulb of the thermometer, bulb first, full
  length into the rectum
• Fasten the thermometer to the equines tail using
  the clip-on string.
• Remove after 3 minutes, read and then wash the
  thermometer with soap and cool water
• Finally, dip the thermometer in a disinfectant
  solution and rinse it again

12
Heart Rate

• Normal heart rate varies
• Adult 28-40 beats per minute
• Newborn foal 80-120
• Older foals 60-80
• Yearlings 40-60

13

• Establish the normal rate for the equine by
  checking the rate when the horse is calm, cool,
  and relaxed.
• The heart rate may have to be checked several
  times to identify a comfortable range for the
  normal rate
• An ill equine may have a heart rate from 80-120
  beats per minute for long periods

14

1. Determine a equines heart rate by counting the
   pulse for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2

15

1. Locate an artery at one of the following points

• Lower jaw
• The cheek 4 below eye
• Under the tail close to the body
• Inside foreleg
• Inside left elbow
• Against chest wall
• Behind the knee
• Inside or outside of the pastern

16

• Press the fingers against an artery and count
  each throb.
• Use a stethoscope just behind the equines left
  elbow

17
Why First Aid

• The nature of equine makes them accident-prone
  and they are subject to
• Kicks or bites from other horses, falls and
  injuries sustained by running through or over
  obstructions when frightened

18

• Equines are naturally curious and may be injured
  as a result of pawing objects or sticking their
  heads through holes in fences or stall walls.

19

• Equines may develop unsoundness from injuries
  because of stress and strain to tendons,
  ligaments, muscles, bones, etc. and are caused
  by
• Overworking or over exercise from trainers,
  riders, etc.
• Improper exercise (too little followed by too
  much)

20

• First aid measure are needed for open wounds so
  that
• Excessive bleeding which can result in death is
  controlled. (Some controlled bleeding is good
  because it helps flush the wound of contaminated
  material)

21

• The contaminated wound becomes a clean wound.
• The wound heals rapidly

22

• Other reasons for first aid treatment include
  reducing pain, calming the animal until a
  veterinarian can arrive, and preventing further
  injury.

23
Common First Aid Treatments
24
Wounds

1. Abrasions (skin scrapes) are superficial wounds
   caused by falls or tack and are treated by gently
   and thorough washing of the area with lukewarm
   water or a saline solution and when possible
   applying a light bandage.

25

• Equine who suffer wounds more serious than
  abrasions or superficial cuts must be treated by
  a veterinarian, but first aid used for all open
  wound should be used until a vet arrives.
• Move the equine to a quiet area and calm it down.

26

1. Hose the wounded area to remove dirt, clay and
   other contaminants. (Excessive pressure may force
   foreign materials deeper into the wound.
2. Clean the wounded area with either saline
   solution (1 tsp of salt in 1 pint boiled water is
   .84 salt solution) or diluted solution of mild
   skin antiseptic in warm water (1 iodine-based
   washes such as Povidone Iodine or Chorhexidine)

27

1. Remove foreign objects from puncture wounds and
   apply a poultice to draw out contaminating
   materials and keep the wound open
2. Applying firm, direct pressure with a sterile pad
   to the wound and holding it in place to control
   arterial bleeding (spurts our of the wound and is
   bright red). Reconstituted cellulose and
   absorbable gelatin sponges help blood clot and
   may be left in the wound since they are absorbed
   by the body.

28
Lameness

1. Check each hoof for any foreign object lodged in
   the sole or frog, remove the object and observe
   the equine for signs of lameness and rest the
   equine.

29

• First aid treatment for closed wounds, injuries
  or swelling include
• Application of cold is a common first aid
  treatment because it reduces pain, swelling,
  bleeding and inflammation
• Cold treatment should not continue past the first
  24-48 hours
• Apply cold treatment for 20-30 minutes and then
  wait one hour before starting another 30 minute
  treatment

30
Bruises and Fractures

1. Call a veterinarian
2. If leg fracture is suspected, immobilize the leg
   with a pillow held in place as tightly as
   possible by wrapping bandages tightly around the
   pillow and leg.

31
Strains and Sprains

1. Muscle strains/sprains to tendons and ligaments
   may be treated with an alcohol rub or liniment
2. After the application of liniment, the owner or
   caretaker should wrap the horses legs in rest
   bandages.

32
Bandages used for wounds, sprains and support

• Bandages may protect a wound from dirt, decrease
  movement of the wounded or affected area, allow
  faster healing, cover medications, minimize
  swelling and provided support.
• Bandages consist of padding material and an
  adhesive, elastic or not-elastic wrap

33

1. Vet rap is a self-adhering, elastic bandage with
   contouring qualities which can make it useful for
   bandaging difficult areas, pressure bandages and
   ice packs

34

• A stable bandage extends from below the knee or
  hock to the fetlock and is used to support the
  lower leg support the leg opposite an injured
  leg or for wounds. Apply a stable bandage by
• Wrapping padding snugly around the leg from just
  below the joint to below the fetlock and cover
  with wrapping flannel or knit wrap starting near
  the middle of the cannon bone.

35

1. Tuck the end of the wrap under the edge of the
   padding, and wrap once around the leg to just
   below the fetlock joint.
2. The bandage should wrap below the back of the
   joint but rise higher in front, causing an upside
   down V on the front of the joint.

36

1. Cold water bandages are used to apply cold
   pressure to cool a warm strained leg. Apply a
   cold-water bandage by applying cold water to the
   leg or soaking padding in ice water and applying
   padding directly to the leg without wringing it
   out.

37

1. Wrap the padding snugly with a knit leg wrap.
2. Run cold water over the bandage frequently and do
   not let the bandage dry out

38

1. Bandages should be changed when they are no
   longer functional the leg is swollen above or
   below the bandage the equine shows signs of
   pain the bandage slips out of position or the
   bandage becomes dirty.

39
Hoof Anatomy

• Parts of a horses foot
• The hoof wall is a horny substance made of
  parallel fibers protected by a varnish-like
  coating called periople that also holds moisture
  in the hoof.
• The hoof wall functions to provide a weight
  bearing surface, protect the internal structure
  of the foot and maintain moisture in the foot.

40

1. The coronet, or coronary band is an area directly
   above the hoof wall that serves as the source of
   growth for the hoof wall.
2. The pastern- The part of the horses leg between
   the fetlock and the coronet that affects the
   stride of the horse.

41

1. The sole of the foot is a horny substance that
   protects the sensitive inner portions.
2. The frog is a triangular shaped formation in the
   sole of an equines foot. The frog of a healthy
   hoof must remain elastic as it acts like a shock
   absorber.

42

1. The hoof is designed to change shape when weight
   is applied. As weight is applied the sole
   flattens and the hoof expands laterally at the
   heel.

43
Growth of the Hoof

• The growth rate of the hoof is about 3/8 per
  month depending on exercise and general health of
  the equine.
• Hind hooves grow faster than front hooves because
  they have less weight to rise.

44

• Unshod hooves grow faster than shod because the
  nails and shoe of a shod hoof limits movement.
• The hooves of mares and geldings grow faster than
  stallions because they get more exercise than
  stallions.

45

1. The hoof grows at a 45-55 degree angle with the
   ground.

46
Important Points in Foot Care

• Foot care is often neglected as a horse
  management practice. Foot care includes
• Routine cleaning with a pick. Pick from the heel
  to the toe of the foot to prevent injury.
• Trimming the hooves every 4-6 weeks so they
  retain proper shape and length.

47

1. Correcting minor imperfections by trimming such
   as splayfoot, toed in and toed out.
2. Treatment of foot diseases and injuries. Thrush
   is a bacterial infection that penetrates the
   frog, making it soft and mushy. Thrush is related
   to lack of cleaning. Wet conditions cause rapid
   drying out of the horses foot.

48
Reasons for Shoeing

1. Protect the hooves from excessive wear.
2. Provide better traction.
3. Help correct defects of stance or gait such as
   forging.
4. Help cure diseased or defected hooves such as
   inflamed tendons.

49

1. Shoes can provide relief from the pain of injured
   parts such as bruised soles and hoof wall cracks.

50

1. Shoes do not make walking easier shoes do not
   improve agility shoes do increase shock and road
   concussion and nail holes made in attaching shoes
   weaken the hoof wall, may cause separation and
   may provide entry for infection

51

1. A proper fitting shoe should follow closely the
   outline of the trimmed hoof at the toe and around
   the wall to the bend of the quarter. Then it
   should widen gradually until it extends laterally
   1/8 beyond the hoof wall at the heel. This
   provides support for the expanded hoof when the
   horse places weight on the shod foot.

52

1. The branch of a properly fitted shoe should not
   project beyond the upper part of the hoof at the
   heel.
2. The last nail should be placed on the widest part
   of the hoof. Placing the nail too far to the rear
   hinders the lateral expansion of the foot at the
   heel.

53
Common Dental Problems

1. A common problem is painful sores in the equines
   mouth as a result of sharp edges of hooks on the
   molars caused when the equines molars do not
   meet evenly.
2. Wolf teeth (one to four small teeth that may
   develop in front of the molars) can cause bit
   problems.

54

1. Canine teeth on older equine can get too long,
   hit the opposite gum and cause sores.

55

1. Temporary teeth (caps) that fail to fall out may
   stick to the equines gums while the permanent
   teeth are coming in and can make chewing
   difficult.

56

• Parrot mouth is a common problem that results
  when the lower jaw is too short and affects the
  equines ability to graze.

57

• Chipped or broken incisors may result from the
  bad habit of cribbing.
• Cribbing a bad habit of equines living in stalls
  that results from boredom.
• Cribbing occurs when an equine grabs objects with
  their teeth, arch their necks and swallow air.

58
Recognizing Dental Problems

• Observe the equine while it is eating to learn if
  it has problems chewing. Signs are
• The equine moves food around it its mouth a lot
  prior to swallowing and food falls from the
  horses mouth as it eats.

59

• The equine refuses to eat

60

• Make an examination of the equine's mouth by
• Grasping the equines lower jaw with one hand to
  open the mouth.
• At the same time use the other hand to pull and
  hold the equines tongue to the side of the mouth
  so that visual inspection can be made.

61
Correcting Dental Problems

1. A veterinarian uses a special rasp called a float
   to file and remove sharp edges from an equines
   teeth.
2. A veterinarian can pull wolf teeth.

62

• Equine with parrot mouth should not be bred since
  parrot mouth is an inherited defect.
• Equine may be prevented from cribbing by placing
• Cribbing strap around the equines throatlatch.
• The strap presses on the equines trachea when it
  arches its neck.

63
Internal Parasites

• An internal parasite lives at least part of its
  life cycle inside the host.
• There are more than 150 types of internal
  parasites that can infect equine.

64

• No individual equine is ever completely free of
  internal parasites but relatively few internal
  parasites cause serious damage to the equine.
• Most internal parasites live in the digestive
  tract, lungs, bloodstream or body cavity of the
  equine.

65

• The extent of injury from internal parasites
  depends on
• The kind of parasite.
• The number of parasites involved, and
• The length of time the parasite lives in the host.

66

• The general life cycle of internal parasites
  includes five stages

67

• Stage 1- Eggs from the internal parasite pass out
  of the equine in the feces and is deposited on
  the pasture.
• Stage 2- Eggs hatch on the pasture and become
  infective larvae.
• Stage 3- The equine ingest the larvae on the
  grass stem.

68

• Stage 4- The immature parasites migrate through
  the equines tissues.
• Stage 5- The mature parasites live in the
  digestive tract and lay eggs.

69

• The MOST abundant and harmful internal parasites
  affecting equine are

70

• Large strongyles (bloodworms) pose the most
  serious threat to the equines health out of all
  internal parasites.
• Migrate within artery walls from the digestive
  tract toward the heart.
• May cause damage to arteries so the equine bleeds
  internally and dies.

71

• Small strongyles spend their entire life cycle in
  the intestinal walls.
• Cause ulcerations in the intestinal walls that
  may interfere with digestion.
• They do not attach to the lining of the intestine
  and they do not suck blood.

72

• Ascarids (large roundworms) are the largest
  parasite that infect equine.
• May grow to 15 long and be the size of a pencil.
• Affect young equine less than two years of age.

73

• May damage the heart, liver, lungs, and cause
  lockage of the small intestine resulting in colic
  or death should the intestine rupture.

74

• Pinworms are more of a nuisance causing digestive
  problems but resulting in little damage.

75

• Bots are flies that lay eggs on various parts of
  the equine.
• Eggs hatch into larvae and are ingested by the
  equine when the equine licks the area where eggs
  are laid.
• Other eggs hatch and larvae crawl into the mouth,
  from the nostrils and lips where they mature in
  the gums and membranes of the inner lips.

76

• When horsemen refer to bots, they usually mean
  the mature larvae that attach to the lining of
  the stomach.
• Bots cause stomach problems and can block the
  entrance to the small intestine causing the
  stomach to rupture.

77

• Management practices and treatment include
• Proper manure disposal which includes
• Timely removal on a weekly basis
• Composting prior to spreading on pasture grazed
  by animals other than equine or spread on
  cropland or ungrazed areas.

78

• Proper pasture management that includes
• The use of temporary pastures where possible.
• Frequent mowing and grain harrowing.
• Rotational grazing when possible.
• Separate pasture for young and old equine.
• Avoiding overstocking.

79

• Never feed equine from the ground. Always use
  troughs and mangers.

80

• Regular use of dewormer under the supervision of
  a veterinarian.
• Ivermectin, a form of avermectin, controls al
  common internal parasites.
• Dewormers may be administered easily with little
  chance of injury by a paste.

81

• The most effective way to administer a dewormer
  is by a stomach tube but usually a veterinarian
  is required for that procedure.
• Feed additives are effective as long as the
  equine will eat the materials.

82
External Parasites

• External parasites annoy equine and may infect
  equine with deadly diseases.
• External parasites may leave a equine weak, lower
  feed efficiency and produce raw sores.

83

• Some common external parasites that attach equine
  include
• Ticks can cause damage and transmit disease such
  as African equine fever.

84

• Lice are most often found on neglected equine.
• Two types of lice live on equine The biting
  louse and the sucking louse.
• Lice spread quickly from equine to equine.

85

• Mites cause the condition mange or scabies in
  equine.
• Mange is very contagious
• Separate equine with mange from healthy equine
  and use different grooming equipment

86

• Gnats are bloodsuckers and cause extreme itching
  after they bite.
• Mosquitoes carry viruses and bacteria which cause
  diseases such as equine infectious anemia
  (sleeping sickness).

87

• Flies are annoying to equine and carry stomach
  worms from equine to equine.
• Female screworm flies lay eggs in fresh wounds on
  animals that hatch into larva that feed on the
  tissue resulting in large sores.

88

• Management practices and treatment for external
  parasites include
• Regular removal of manure, dirty stall bedding
  and materials which encourage the breeding of
  parasites.
• Maintaining fresh water supplies to discourage
  breeding by external parasites.

89

• Use chemicals according to label instructions as
  repellants and control methods.
• Use regular insecticide application on infected
  animals according to label instructions.

90

• Use biological controls such as predator wasp to
  reduce the need for chemical controls.
• Use mechanical controls such as a face mask made
  from scrap leather or commercial vinyl masks to
  keep face flies away.

91
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)

1. A viral diseases that affects the equines immune
   system resulting in recurrent fever, weight loss
   and anemia.
2. Once an equine is infects, it remains infected
   for the rest of its life.

92

• Chronically infected equine may go for years
  without showing signs of anemia only to have the
  sign recur when stress, environmental conditions
  or other disease affects the equine.

93

1. Horseflies and deerflies are the major natural
   transmitters of the virus from one equine to
   another.
2. Detection- A blood test called the Coggins test
   is used to detect the presence of EIA.

94

1. Equine must have a negative Coggins test before
   they can compete or be placed in events in North
   Carolina
2. Prevention involves isolation from equine that
   are not infected and protection from biting,
   flying insects.

95

• Treatment
• There is no effective treatment or vaccination
  for the disease
• In some cases, equine with EIA are required to be
  euthanized.

96
Equine Influenza

• There are two common features of this viral
  infection
• Extremely rapid spread of infection
• Frequent, dry cough

97

• Equine with influenza have an elevated
  temperature of 102.5-105 degrees F which persist
  up to 5 days
• The death rate from influenza is very low

98

1. The virus is spread to other equine when the
   equine exhales or coughs and may be carried by
   handlers on equipment that have been in contact
   with an infected equine.

99

• Prevention
• Use two intramuscular injections of influenza
  vaccine scheduled 2-4 weeks apart followed by a
  booster shot at 3-4 month intervals for horses at
  risk.
• Isolation of infected equine and screening
  animals prior to transportation will reduce the
  spread of the disease.

100

• Treatment
• One week of stall rest is recommended for each
  day the equine has an elevated temperature due to
  influenza
• Maintain a dust free environment during the
  illness and recovery by wetting hay and providing
  clean bedding.

101
Equine Rhinopneumonitis

1. This is a respiratory disease caused by EHV
   virus.
2. The infection is accompanied by a gold colored
   nasal discharge among foals.

102

• The virus associated with this disease also may
  cause abortions in pregnant mares and occasional
  paralysis.
• Equine may develop a temperature of 102-106
  degrees F which lasts for 12-48 hours.

103

1. Equine become infected when they inhale the virus
   exhaled by sick or even apparently healthy equine
   that are infected.

104

• Prevention requires a combination of
• Sensible management practices
• Mares should be isolated and separated from other
  equine
• Thorough cleaning and sanitation in the event of
  dead or aborted fetus

105

• Vaccination
• Vaccinate pregnant mares in the 5th 7th and 9th
  month of pregnancy.
• Young equine should receive two injections
  followed by a booster according to manufacturers
  recommendations

106

1. Treatment is limited as there is not specific
   anti-viral therapy available.

107
Strangles

1. A highly contagious bacterial infection most
   commonly found in young equine from one to five
   years of age.
2. Early signs of strangles include fever,
   depression and loss of appetite due to difficulty
   with swallowing.

108

1. As strangles progresses, the lower jaw and
   throatlatch region may become hot, swollen and
   painful with abscesses forming and rupturing onto
   the skin.
2. Pus from ruptured abscesses may contaminate water
   buckets and communal feeders for months.

109

1. When strangles develop and abscesses from on
   internal organs, mortality may be as high as 10.

110

• Prevention and treatment are used in conjunction.
• Treat ruptured abscesses with a mild antiseptic
  solution to hasten healing

111

• Administer Procaine penicillin G as an antibiotic
  treatment until clinical signs no longer exist
  for five days.
• Isolate affected animals from all other equine
• Vaccinate with 2 or 3 injections one month apart
  and apply a booster annually.

112
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

1. EVA is a viral infection that causes respiratory
   illness with nasal and ocular discharges,
   swelling (stocking up) of the hind limbs and
   other areas of the body and sometimes abortion.
2. EVA may be passed by respiratory transmission
   when equine come in close contact.

113

• Equine invariable make uneventful clinical
  recoveries even without treatment
• Perhaps EVA is most pronounced as a breeding
  disease through the venereal spread of the
  disease by acutely affected stallions.
• Viral persistence in the stallion can range from
  several weeks to the entire lifetime of the
  equine
• Mares can be infected either at time of natural
  breeding or artificial breeding.

114

• Prevention
• Immunize the breeding stallion population with
  MLV vaccine.
• Immunize all mares if they are inseminated with
  EVA positive semen.

115

• Treatment
• There is no specific anti-viral treatment for
  equine with EVA
• Infected stallions should receive forced rest if
  they show symptoms of the disease.

116
Eastern, Western and Venzuelan Equine
Encephalomyelitis (EEE, WEE, and VEE)

1. EEE, WEE, and VEE are viral infections that
   result in the inflammation of the brain.

117

• The viral infections are spread by insect
  contact.
• The virus may live in reservoir hosts such as
  birds and rodents for long periods of time
  without harming the host.

118

• The virus is transmitted and spread by mosquitoes
  (vectors) to equine and humans.
• The viral infection is not transmitted between
  equine and humans.

119

• The disease has high mortality rates
• EEE is 75-100
• WEE is 20-50
• VEE is 40-80

120

1. Complete recovery is rare with equine frequently
   continuing to exhibit clumsiness, depression and
   abnormal behavior.
2. Signs of EEE, WEE, and VEE include aggression,
   propulsive walking, excitability, and a number of
   things that indicate the equine is confused.

121

• Prevention focuses on mosquito control.
• Use insecticides and repellants when possible and
  practical
• Eliminate standing water
• Screen stalls, use fans to move air, and limit
  the use of incandescent lights in stall areas

122

• Brings equine inside prior to dusk
• Vaccinate with 3 injections at 3, 4, and 6 months
  of age and give a booster at the beginning of
  insect season

123

• Treatment
• There is not specific treatment available

124
Equine Colic

1. Colic is the behavioral signs of abdominal pain
   in equine characterized by various activities
   including, but not limited to tail twitching
   head tossing kicking toward the belly with one
   of the hind limbs pawing the ground grinding
   the cheek teeth and frequent attempts to lie down
   and roll on the back, etc.

125

• True colic is due to intestinal obstruction or
  disease which causes pain
• 95 of all colic cases are from two causes
• Spasmodic causes where their is intestinal spasm
  caused by numerous things such as stress,
  anxiety, diet change, parasite damage, dewormers,
  etc.
• Large intestinal impaction (constipation) caused
  most often by improper diet and exercise (Human
  management is often culprit)

126

• Prevention
• Use a parasite management program to avoid
  problems
• Careful rotation of pasture helps reduce levels
  of parasites
• Avoid overstocking pastures
• Use Ivermectin as a deworming compound
• Pay attention to the equines diet

127

• Treatment
• Place the equine in a safe environment
• Treat with analgesia for pain relief
• Treat with mineral oil as a laxative

128

• Remove feed until the equine has improved and
  then reintroduce feed gradually
• Do not allow the equine to eat too much hay or
  roughage (lightly grazing the pasture is
  recommended)

129
Founder

1. Characterized by the hoof collapsing as a result
   of laminitis (inflammation of the supporting
   tissue between the hoof wall and pedal bone)
2. Causes lameness in the horse and if left
   unchecked can cause permanent lameness or even
   require euthanization.

130

1. The leading cause of founder is gastrointestinal
   disturbance from any number of factors such as
   colic, grain overload, lush grass, excessive cold
   water, etc.
2. Other factors that cause founder are exhaustion,
   excessive concussion (road founder) contact with
   black walnut shavings, etc.

131

• Prevention
• Control diet
• Avoid overworking the equine

132

• Treatment
• Identify cause and direct treatment toward
  alleviating the problem
• Increase blood flow to the laminae through the
  use of drugs and IV fluids
• Use aspirin or heparin to thin blood

133

• Use anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs
  (Ketaproten) to reduce laminar swelling
• Pack the frog and sole to increase support
• Use specialized shoes to relieve pressure to the
  hoof area.

134
Tetanus (Lockjaw)

1. Caused by a neurotoxin that allows uncontrolled
   muscle contraction and muscle spasms
2. Affected horses most often have sustained a wound
   from 2 days to a month prior to the onset of
   tetanus however, tetanus bacteria also live in
   the equines digestive tract

135

• Tetanus has become less common due to
  vaccination, but is still highly fatal
• Equine usually die from suffocation, cardiac
  arrest or starvation since their muscular system
  does not function

136

• Prevention
• Vaccination with two doses of toxoid vaccine
  given one month apart followed by a booster shot
  annually
• Equine that are injured should receive the toxoid
  booster if there is no record of prior shots

137

• Treatment
• Administer penicilln
• Aggressively clean the wound
• Administer tetanus anitoxin
• Use tranquilizers and muscle relaxes to relieve
  spasms and muscle pain
• Provide IV fluids and nutritional support

138
Potamac Horse Fever (PHF)

1. PHF is a disease which in its extreme form
   results in profuse, watery diarrhea, fever, shock
   and laminitis
2. The occurrence of PHF disease is consistently
   within 5 miles of a river

139

• PHF is caused by an organism that can survive
  within living cells and must be transmitted
  through blood cells by insects such as ticks
• Equine with PHF are not considered contagious to
  other equine

140

• Prevention
• Vaccinate with two injections one month apart
• Give a booster injection annually in May or June

141

• Treatment
• A veterinarian should use tetracycline
  (anti-microbial drug) for 4-5 days
• IV fluids, frog pads, sole support, and
  anti-inflammatory drugs also help

142
Borreliosis (Lyme Disease)

1. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted
   primarily by certain ticks
2. Rare among equine and only a problem where Lyme
   disease is found among human populations
3. Arthritis is the most commonly reported sign of
   Lyme disease in equine

143

• Prevention
• Careful grooming to remove ticks
• Avoiding tick-infested areas

144

• Treatment
• Use antibiotics such as tetracycline and
  ampicillin
• Prolonged treatment of 10-30 days usual

145
West Nile Virus (WNV)

• Viral infection that can cause inflammation of
  the brain and often mimics EEE in equine
• First introduced in western hemisphere in 1999
• Equine are more often affected by WNV than any
  other domesticated animal

146

• WNV is spread by mosquitoes when they bite an
  infected bird and then bite a human or an equine
• Equine are not contagious and do not pose a
  health risk to other animals or humans
• About 30 of horses who show clinical signs
  either die or have to be euthanized

147
(No Transcript)
148

1. Clinical sign of WNV may include circling,
   aimless wandering, head pressing, impaired
   vision, hyper excitability, etc.

149

• Prevention
• See mosquito and control techniques listed for
  EEE, WEE and VEE
• A veterinarian should vaccinate with protocol
  and follow with a booster injection three weeks
  later
• Treatment is still developing

150
THE END!!!