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 Healthy as a Horse: Visiting Causes for Common Equine Illnesses
Horses do not require a fancy stall and the best of everything horse-related. They are most happy in a natural environment where they are free to roam, socialize and graze. In the very least, a horse would need a safe pasture, safe fencing, access to salt and minerals, dry shelter from the weather, unlimited supply of fresh clean water and a staple diet. Horses also need companionship, whether it is with another horse, a mule or another farm animal such as a goat or a sheep. It is also important to monitor the horse on a daily basis for any illness or injury.
Illnesses can seem to come out of nowhere. One day the horse seems fine, and then the next day he appears to be very ill. Many horse-related illnesses can be avoided by educating yourself on all of the common diseases and disorders. If you are a horse owner, it is important to learn how to take preventative measures. Here are some of the most common
illnesses that can affect your horse.
Equine Respiratory Disease Complex
Causes: Also known as ERDC and is very common disease among horses. The stress of transportation or strenuous exercising, in addition to the exposure to new surroundings and other animals can cause this illness. The horse can become vulnerable to the ERDC viral infection and even a secondary bacterial infection like Streptococcus zooepidemicus, which is a species that is probably one of the most common organisms that is isolated from foals with pneumonia or pulmonary abscesses. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that can be induced by viruses like equine viral arteritis, equine viral rhinopneumonitis or another bacteria. Viral pneumonia frequently weakens the horse thus allowing a secondary bacterial infection.
Symptoms: Nasal discharge, cough, increased respiratory rates and a fever of 107 degrees F (42 degrees C). The horse is usually depressed and will refuse to eat. S. Zooepidemicus can produce toxins that damage the airways, resulting in pneumonia and even abscess formations.
Diagnosis: Many veterinarians will need to know the horses history and conduct a full examination before deciding on a course of treatment. Most of these veterinarians will base the diagnosis on clinical experience.
Laminitis:
Causes: This results from a short- term, intermittent or constant disruption of blood flow to the laminae structures in the foot. This can affect one or all feet, but is most common in the front feet. Although it remains a mystery of how exactly the feet become inflamed or damaged, the underlying causes often begin as a disturbance somewhere else in the horses body. Some of these cause may include: toxins released in the horses system, digestive upsets, excessive amounts of lush forage, severe colic, high fever, metabolic disorders, and retained placenta in a mare. Some factors that can increase a horses susceptibility are by being overweight, or by being a pony or a heavy breed like a draft horses.
Symptoms: Heat or increased digital pulse in the foot or feet, lameness, pain in the toe area, reluctance to walk, rings or bruises on the hooves, dropped soles, flat feet, or dished hooves.
Diagnoses: The sooner the diagnosis is made the faster the treatment and the recovery process can begin. Diagnosing Laminitis is the main problem since the general problem often starts somewhere else in the horses body.
Colic:
Causes: Colic is used to describe a wide range of abdominal discomforts including worm infestations to a twisted intestine. Colic is also the number one killer of horses. Some of the most common causes are: ingesting sand or other non-feed materials, over feeding, irregular feeding, bad feed, poisons, worms or twisted intestines. Most colics are classified in three types: Intestinal Accidents, Intestinal Dysfunction and Ulcerations (or Enteritis).
Symptoms: Personality changes, uneasiness, not interested in feed or water, roll excessively, sweat, and appear tired. Body temperature may be higher than normal while the pulse and respiration remains normal. Normally followed by stomping a hind leg, swishing his tail, turning to look at his belly and even nipping at his sides. As the pain increases he may roll his eyes, groan, snort or even kick his belly and stretch out on the ground.
Diagnoses: If colic is suspected, take the horses vital signs, write down all his symptoms and call the veterinarian immediately. Colic can take a deadly turn without prompt attention. It is very important not to try to treat the colic without the supervision of a veterinarian.
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