Keeping Your Horse Healthy With Partnerships That Work

I've spent my entire life caring for and loving horses. To this day, watching clients enjoy their horses is the most rewarding part of being an equine veterinarian. The relationship between horse and owner is powerful. The strength of this relationship is what lead Badger Veterinary Hospital to it's primary core practice; Preventative Health.  

As a result, our practice has been on the cutting edge of offering the latest advancements in animal health care. We have partnered with Zoetis Animal Health to formulate our strategic deworming program.  We are one of the country's first practice's in the U.S. to offer this deworming strategy, which is now recognized as the gold standard to control equine parasites. 

Quality nutrition is an excellent offensive health strategy.  We have researched feed suppliers and have partnered with one the world's leading equine nutrition companies, Nutrena.. In this partnership, we offer nutritional consultations and provide forage and feed analysis services to our clients. We are one of the first practices to offer our clients complete clinical nutrition evaluations and advice in a partnership with Nutrena, . 

We are proud to introduce our newest partnership with SmartPak, a company focused on healthy horses and happy riders. This alliance and the SmartPak ColiCare program provides $7,500.00 benefit toward colic surgery. In the rare event of a surgical colic case while enrolled in this program, our horse owners are able to aggressively pursue treatment with minimal risk while increasing the horse's survival. Increased survival, reduced costs and peace of mind make this partnership a win for everyone involved! 

Click the link below to read more on the benefits of Wellness as the primary practice in equine health. 

 http://blog.smartpakequine.com/2015/02/4-ways-to-help-keep-your-horse-healthy/

Death By Landscape

Yew plants are one of North America’s most toxic plants, the Japanese Yew being the most common variety in the upper Midwest.  These plants are relatively low maintenance, flourish in shade and provide year round color in landscape plans, making them very popular ornamental plants. Unfortunately, with the severe winter weather, many yews were severely affected causing needles to brown. Homeowners are trimming these or removing dead or dying plants.   

                      

We encourage proper disposal of these extremely toxic plants as they are deadly to most animals even in very small quantities.  Dried Yews retain toxicity for several months making them hazardous to domestic animals and people.

The amount of plant material required to obtain a lethal dose is quite small. The absorption rate is very rapid, often within minutes of ingestion. Symptoms of ingestion include nervousness, trembling, incoordination, difficulty breathing, and collapse with progression to the heart stopping and death without a struggle.  Cases of horses and cattle collapsing within 15 minutes have been reported.  The simple act of a dog playing with a Japanese Yew branch is sufficient to cause toxicity.  

Sadly, death is often the first indication of Yew toxicity, offering little opportunity for medical intervention. No specific antidote exists and successful treatment has not been demonstrated.

 

Last week, our practice was called to evaluate a case of sudden death of 20% of a cattle herd. During post mortem exam, we found Japanese yew plant material in the digestive tract.  The consequence of this inadvertent Japanese Yew consumption is a devastating experience for both the animal owner and the veterinarian.   Be aware of the plants, clippings and die off in and around your yards and fields.  Awareness of this hazard is vital.

Outbreak Awareness: Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM)

A recent outbreak of disease in horses in Minnesota and Wisconsin has left many in the equine community concerned. To date, since early March of 2014, 10 confirmed cases of neurologic and sometimes fatal disease in horses has occurred as a result of infection with a mutated form of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) also known as Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).  All 10 confirmed cases have been found in eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.  At this point, there have been NO cases reported in Southern Wisconsin. The following information includes basic information regarding the disease, signs to look for in your own horse, prevention strategies, and what to do and who to contact if you are concerned or have suspicions of EHV-1 or EHM. 

What it is:   By 2 years of age, the majority of horses have been exposed and infected with EHV-1 virus. In most infected horses, the virus can become inactive in the horse’s body yet sets up a life-long latent carrier state. In the latent state, no signs of disease are seen.  Sometimes, however, the virus can be activated by stressful events including strenuous exercise, long distant transport or weaning.  In the active disease, the EHV-1 virus has the ability to cause four different forms of disease including respiratory disease, abortion, neonatal death, and finally neurologic disease.

Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) refers to the neurologic disease associated with certain highly contagious mutated strains of EHV-1. Patients infected with this specific strain of virus can exhibit neurologic signs as a result of damage to blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord. This interference with blood supply leads to tissue damage and abnormal brain and spinal cord function leading to signs such as incoordination, urine dribbling, weakness, and inability of the horse to rise.  

How The Virus Is Spread:   The most common way for the virus to spread is by direct horse to horse contact, through the respiratory or nasal secretions of horses infected with the neurologic form.  Less commonly, horses can be infected by objects (people, tack, feeding buckets, gates, etc.) that have been contaminated by the infectious virus.

Signs To Watch For:   Most affected horses will exhibit a fever, lethargy, and possible inappetance approximately 7-10 days prior to showing any neurological signs.  After that period of time, a horse affected by EHM will show signs of decreased coordination; urine dribbling; loss of tail tone; hind limb weakness; leaning against a wall, tree or fence to maintain balance; lethargy, and inability to rise (dog-sitting appearance). If you or anyone you know see any of these signs in your horses, contact your veterinarian immediately to report the disease and begin diagnostic and treatment plans. In order to diagnose EHM, your veterinarian will submit a nasal swab and blood work to a lab. 

Prevention: The best practice to prevent the spread of EHM, other than complete isolation, is to practice good biosecurity which includes washing down all objects and surfaces that your horse may contact. People should wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after contact with their horse and other horses.  Additionally, avoid sharing any equipment including hoses, water buckets, and tack.

If your horse has been exposed or is suspected of being exposed to horses infected with EHM, call your veterinarian for further instructions and keep your horse home.  Do not allow unexposed horses near those that have been exposed. Isolate the sick horse and do not share equipment between healthy and sick horses. If disease is suspected, it may be important to take a rectal temperature twice daily and report any abnormal temperatures.  Any temperature over 102.0 F warrants notifying your veterinarian.

Vaccination:  Although there are several types of vaccines available that protect against EHV-1, the products available are only proven to help prevent disease against the respiratory and abortive forms of the disease.  At this time, there is no known vaccine that will help prevent against the neurologic form of equine herpes virus. 

Treatment Options:  For horses infected with EHM, supportive treatment is the primary form of treatment.  This includes keeping the horse comfortable, standing, maintaining nutrition & hydration, and providing anti-inflammatory medication.  Anti-viral medication has been used for treatment and considered somewhat effective in curbing the disease, however it can be somewhat cost prohibitive.  The specific dosing and effectiveness of anti-virals are still being evaluated.  Antibiotics have no effect on Equine Herpesvirus, but can help if a secondary infection is involved.

Concerns for Southern Wisconsin:  Horse owners in southern Wisconsin should consider their veterinarian as a valuable resource to help them determine if travel is safe for their horse. 

“For those with performance horses that travel near regions with current outbreaks, our recommendation is to minimize or eliminate travel to reduce exposure between horses.  For those with horses that don’t travel frequently, risk of exposure is significantly reduced.  While we encourage equine activities (trail riding, local shows and events) we strongly recommend preventative biosecurity measures be taken.” -Scott Spaulding, DVM, Badger Veterinary Hospital.

“Never hesitate to contact your veterinarian for guidance regarding equine herpes virus.  Since the virus is endemic in the majority of horse population, outbreaks with the neurologic form of the virus are almost impossible to predict.  In circumstances where there is concern of EHM, working with your veterinarian promptly can mean the difference between one and many infected horses,”  -Toria Waldron, DVM, Badger Veterinary Hospital.

Christmas Spirit 2013

Christmas 2013 unexpectedly became very spiritual for me yesterday afternoon.   

Mid-afternoon Christmas Eve, I was called by a client I had never met before regarding Champ a 16 year old horse, with a complaint of what sounded like acute laminitis.  Very unusual for me to take an emergency from a non-established client, but we had a great conversation on the phone and the horse was in obvious distress.

The horse owners were relieved at my arrival and poor old Champ was  stretched out, reluctant to move with a high heart rate, bounding digital pulses; very painful front feet.  I proceeded to quickly cut back some long toe, taped on "lili-pads" and administered IV pain-relievers.  Placing the pads on Champ's feet gave him almost instant relief and he began to move around his large enclosure, getting a drink of water and started eating.  The horse owners were quite satisfied at the progress we made in relieving Champ's pain and small talk ensued.

During our small talk Mrs. Client related to me she was the sister of one of my all-time favorite clients that had moved from my practice area 8 years ago.  Mr Favorite Client and his wife raised cutting horses and beef cattle, providing me many great veterinary practice memories; not only great clients, but great people.  In the 8 years since their departure, I find myself thinking of them often.  Mrs. Client informed me of health problems her brother was having and I said, "Ya know I ought to give him a call".  Mrs. Client ventured off to the house and returned with his cell phone number.  As I departed the farm I gave Mr. Favorite Client a call on my drive back home to check in.

Turns out Mr. Favorite Client suffers from a rare, terminal un-treatable form of kidney cancer.  We visited for 35 minutes on the phone, talking about many cases we worked on, remember this time, remember that time, etc.  We talked about the life and death struggle he's facing and we talked about life.  His words resonating with me this Christmas morning; "take nothing for granted, appreciate what you have, appreciate your good health while you have it, life can change 180 degrees in a heartbeat,".  All words of wisdom.  I had a most enjoyable, enlightening conversation with this man facing the battle of his life; I feel I received the gift of a lifetime!  

The most unusual turn of events leading to this Christmas phone call is quite remarkable.  Most people think, to be a veterinarian you love and enjoy working with animals.  That maybe true, but in the end it's the people, it truly is the people.  God speed Mr. Favorite Client, you've made this Christmas most humbling for this horse doctor.  Merry Christmas to you and yours, hold your family and friends close, you never know when your life may change in a heartbeat........ 

Equine First Aid Kit

Every horse owner should have a stocked first aid kit readily available in the stable and trailer.  What supplies should the first aid kit contain?  Let’s think about the most common emergencies our practice sees, these include; colic, lacerations and eye injuries.  Basic supplies to provide first aid care for these emergencies are appropriate for a horse owner’s first aid kit.  

Supplies we recommend your first aid kit contains include:

·         A digital or mercury thermometer

·         A stethoscope

·         Triple antibiotic eye ointment that doesn’t contain cortisone or dexamethasone

·         Two – 16” combine rolled bandages

·         Four rolls of 6” Kling bandage rolls.

·         Four rolls of 4” Vetrap

·         One roll or duct tape

·         24 - 4” x 4” cotton squares

·         Four ounces of dilute chlorhexidine wound cleansing solution

·         One tube of Banamine paste

·         Topical antibiotic ointment or antiseptic wound spray

When an emergency arises with your horse, contact your veterinarian for specific instructions.  Armed with these recommended supplies in your first aid kit, your veterinarian will be able to instruct you regarding specific first aid measures you can take to provide relief to your horse until your veterinarian can arrive to provide care.  

Healthy Hoof = Happy Horse!

Scott Spaulding, DVM

Imagine, an entire horse’s body weight supported by a hoof, a structure not dissimilar to a human finger nail!  Healthy hooves are vital to horse’s well-being, most horses experience some hoof problems in their lifetime.  The hoof and foot structures often are the culprit causing lameness.  Here are two of the most common hoof problems seen in our practice. 

Hoof Abscesses are a common cause of lameness in our practice.  Abscesses occur when bacteria gain access to soft tissue structures immediately under the sole, usually through separation at the white line, in association with a bruise or due to penetrating wounds.  Bacteria rapidly multiply in the warm, moist conditions, bacterial exudate produced combined with the body’s immune system attempting to fight off infection produces intense inflammatory responses resulting in reluctance to bear weight on the affected hoof. 

We typically diagnose abscesses by evaluating the affected foot’s digital pulse and applying hoof testers to the sole to identify areas of discomfort.  Occasionally, an abscess, following the path of least resistance, will rupture at the coronary band.  Treatment typically consists of paring back the sole, identifying the infected area and establishing drainage.  A poultice bandage is routinely used ensuring all infected tissue is cleaned from the abscess.  In the event a horse is diagnosed with a foot abscess ensure the horse received tetanus vaccination recently.

Heel Soreness is commonly caused by long toes and low heels.  We diagnose by evaluating hoof conformation, sensitivity to hoof testers when applied across the heels, positive response to palmar digital nerve desensitization and radiographic evaluation of hoof conformation.  Treatment includes farrier work to achieve optimum hoof balance, usually a combination of shortening the toe to move the break-over point back, increasing heel support and using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 

There are many opportunities for horse owners to prevent these conditions.  Most importantly, assembling a veterinarian-farrier team to work together identifying and treating problems early on.  Other actions include scheduling routine appointments with a highly trained, competent farrier, regular hoof cleaning, maintaining the horse in a clean, dry environment, regular exercise and optimum nutrition all aid your horse’s healthy hoof maintenance.

Body Condition Scoring

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) of your horse is a quantitative method of estimating the amount and distribution of fat on a horse’s body.  This system, developed in the late 1970’s by Dr. Don Henneke at Texas A&M University, provides a standard scoring system for the industry which can be used across breeds and by all horse people.

The system assigns a score to a particular body condition as opposed to vague words such as “good,” “fair,” “bad,” or “poor,” which leave differences of interpretation to the eye of the beholder. The score ranges from 1 – 9, with 1 representing an emaciated horse and 9 representing an obese horse. 

The horse’s body condition measures the balance between intake and expenditure of energy. Body condition can be affected by a variety of factors such as: food availability, reproductive activities, weather, performance or work activities, parasites, dental problems, and feeding practices. The actual body condition of a horse can also affect its reproductive capability, performance ability, work function, health status, and endocrine status. 

Our practice, Badger Veterinary Hospital, assigns BCS to every horse as part of every wellness examination.  This information, along with a body weight estimate, taken by measuring the heart girth, is valuable information for us to assess your horse’s nutritional status and the many factors affecting it. 

This link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq0ZXnSlsNQ, provides a great example of the factors considered in assigning BCS to horses.

Please contact Badger Veterinary Hospital  (608.754.1888 or 608.423.3555), we’d be happy to provide with a reference guide to aid you in determining your horse’s BCS.