| Hoof Abscesses |
September/2009 |
The scenario is all too familiar for many horse owners ... yesterday your horse was sound, but today you find him crippled, with no apparent injury! What could have happened? Odds are this horse has a hoof abscess. Sooner or later, nearly all horse owners will encounter this problem.
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| Anhidrosis: Should I Sweat It? |
August/2009 |
Anhidrosis, or nonsweating, is a poorly understood condition affecting thousands of horses worldwide. Horses are most commonly affected in areas with hot, humid climates, such as in the southeastern United States. Let's look at the causes of and treatments for this condition.
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| Keeping Horses Cool |
June/2009 |
We all long for warmer weather and the longer rides summer affords. But heat and humidity are major concerns for rider and horse since heat-related illness can be dangerous--even fatal. Horses have efficient natural thermoregulatory systems to cool themselves, but sometimes they are overwhelmed and cannot compensate for the heat.
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| Estrus Suppression |
May/2009 |
When a mare exhibits unexpected or undesirable behavior that cannot be explained by illness or injury, the owner might suspect it is related to the mare's estrous cycle. He or she might notice the mare is more difficult to train or ride periodically, she might act aggressively toward other horses, wring her tail, urinate frequently, or exhibit pain or sensitivity in her flanks.
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| Can We Prevent Strangles? |
April/2009 |
Strangles is a dreaded disease for horse owners. It is caused by bacterial infection with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (referred to as S. equi). The bacteria typically infect the upper airway and lymph nodes of the head and neck.
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| Where Not to Pinch Pennies |
March/2009 |
In tough economic times, many horse owners look for ways to cut costs. Too often this is done by cutting back on veterinary care. However, it is important to keep in mind that what may save us a couple of dollars now might end up costing us much more in the future. Keeping your horse in good health is actually the best way to save money long term.
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| Emergency Foal CPR |
February/2009 |
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the restoration of spontaneous circulation and breathing and is used in cases of cardiopulmonary arrest, defined as sudden cessation of spontaneous and effective respiration and heartbeat. This most often occurs in foals suffering from asphyxia or lack of oxygen before and during birth.
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| Winter Ailments and Injuries |
January/2009 |
With the last of the leaves fallen, the holidays behind us, and the daylight hours shorter than ever, winter is upon us again. All too often owners are tardy in implementing winter precautions for horses and farm, or they might have overlooked those precautions entirely. This can result in headaches for the owner and hardship for the horses.
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| Pigeon Fever |
December/2008 |
Pigeon fever is the common term for an infection caused by the bacterial organism Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (also referred to as Dryland Distemper). C.
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| Parasite Control Strategies |
October/2008 |
Deworming your horse is a seemingly simple process, yet there is much more to effective parasite control than just buying dewormers on sale every eight weeks and administering them. Most importantly, no deworming program fits every individual.
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| Vets as Product Advisors |
August/2008 |
According to a 2006 American Veterinary Medical Association survey, pet owners said they most often asked their veterinarians for advice on which foods, supplements, dewormers, and other products to purchase for their dogs and cats.
While this survey (results listed below in descending order of use) and others show that small animal veterinarians influence pet owner decisions, it is unclear the role equine veterinarians play in how horse owners make health care decisions.
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| Complementary Therapeutic Options for Horses |
July/2008 |
The upcoming summer Olympics will see some of the finest equine athletes in the world compete in various equestrian events. These horses are the very top of the performance horse elite and are attended to by team veterinarians. Many of these veterinarians will utilize veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic in their treatment regimens for these outstanding athletes.
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| The Seized Horse |
June/2008 |
The economy is hurting and many horse owners have lost their jobs, homes, and, in some cases, their horses. Drought, pressure to raise grain rather than hay, and rising fuel costs have pushed hay prices to unprecedented highs. In an ideal world, horse owners unable to care for their horses would sell or surrender them before their health was jeopardized.
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| Weight Loss in Horses |
May/2008 |
Thin body condition of a horse might represent true "weight loss," or, more likely, it might be secondary to inadequate calorie intake over a period of time. The identification of a thin horse is usually not difficult--the horse's owner, stable manager, and veterinarian can clearly see that a horse is underweight.
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| Dental Care and Health |
April/2008 |
Dental science and, consequently, dental health for us as human beings, have come a very long way in the past 250 years. Most of us in this country are accustomed to regular, routine visits to our general family practitioner for an overall health evaluation, as well as a yearly visit to our dentist to stave off oral and dental health issues that might lead to tooth loss and major systemic health problems. Regular, routine health care visits are rewarded with increased longevity and vitality.
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| Septicemia |
March/2008 |
Everyone is excited about the newest addition on the farm. Care of your neonate should be easy, since foals are just small horses, right? Well, not exactly--especially when it comes to certain medical conditions. For example, foals are more susceptible to septicemia than adult horses.
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| Cold Weather Nutrition |
February/2008 |
Cold and inclement weather conditions present special challenges for the horse. Whether a horse is turned out or exercised regularly, you need to be focused on the nutritional requirements of your fuzzy, four-legged friend. Horses are naturally well-adapted to thrive in frigid weather if they have the basics of adequate calorie intake, palatable water, and protection from wind and severe precipitation.
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| Drug-Resistant Bugs |
January/2008 |
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant bacterium that has received ample attention in the press lately. Much concern has been expressed because of the tremendous increase in human infections, including people in the general population that would typically be considered low-risk. In people, MRSA can cause a wide range of infections, from skin infections and abscesses to severe pneumonia and necrotizing fasciitis ("flesh-eating disease").
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| 4 Communication Tips |
December/2007 |
Ben Espy, DVM, Dipl. ACT, offers his advice on communicating with your veterinarian:
#1 Keep your own records Whether you are trying to schedule routine work or an emergency visit, your veterinarian relies on you to be all of their senses when talking to you on the phone. Although most veterinarians have evolved to using computers, e-mail, and PDA devices, no amount of high-tech electronics can take the place of notes on each animal.
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| Antibody Titers |
November/2007 |
You might have heard your veterinarian say, "Let's run a titer on him," when referring to your horse and whether he's protected against disease, or to figure out what might be causing particular clinical signs. What exactly does "titer" mean?
In immunological terms, titer refers to the concentration of specific antibodies in a blood serum sample.
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| NAHMS Equine Studies |
October/2007 |
The National Animal Health Monitoring Systems (NAHMS), a program within the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, conducts various animal health studies. NAHMS conducted specific studies of equine health and management during 1998 and again in 2005.
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| Detecting Pain |
September/2007 |
Recent studies have shown that horses are far more stoic than we had imagined. On the scale of pain tolerance, they are much higher than people. For example, the thrashing colicky horse often needs surgery, and after surgery, pain is very difficult to detect. For years veterinarians have walked by hospitalized horses after colic surgery and figured they were doing fine because they were standing in the back of the stall with no obvious signs of pain.
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| Coping With the Heat |
August/2007 |
During hot weather, heat dissipation is primarily dependent on evaporation of sweat on the skin surface. Horses are capable of producing large quantities of sweat--sweating rates of 10-15 liters/hour1,2 have been reported during exercise in hot conditions. Sweat evaporates efficiently in hot, dry conditions, but not in hot, humid climates that are likely to impose a particularly large heat load because heat dissipation is compromised, and the horse retains heat.
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| Potomac Horse Fever |
July/2007 |
Potomac horse fever (PHF) is a disease that affects horses during warm weather months, occasionally causing outbreaks of diarrheal illness in horses that are kept near rivers, streams, or in irrigated pastures.
The bacterium responsible for the disease, Neorickettsia risticii, has an unusual history: it has been identified in flukes (flatworms) that develop in aquatic snails.
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| On Call Vets |
June/2007 |
When Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro experienced a life-threatening injury at the start of the 2006 Preakness Stakes, the story immediately switched from his quest for the Triple Crown to the efforts to save his life. Playing a crucial role in sharing timely and accurate information about the horse's injury to viewers around the world was Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl.
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| Cryptorchidism in Horses |
May/2007 |
Cryptorchidism is a congenital condition (i.e., the individual is born with it) in which one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) of the testes fail to descend into the scrotum. A number of common terms have been used to describe cryptorchids, including "rig," "false rig," and "ridgling.
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| Therapeutic Options in Veterinary Research |
April/2007 |
Veterinarians desire to be the gatekeepers for horse health and welfare, so they need to be educated in therapeutic options to meet expectations of clients. Surveys performed by the AAEP in 1998 and 2002 indicated an increased use of and referral for therapeutic options by AAEP members.
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| Help Us Help Horses |
March/2007 |
Did you know that the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is the world's largest professional asso-ciation of equine veterinarians? Did you also know that the AAEP has a Foundation? The AAEP Foundation was created and established as a 501(c)(3) in 1994 as the charitable arm of the AAEP, and it operates under a Founda-tion Advisory Committee comprised of a group of highly regarded AAEP member veterinarians and equine industry leaders.
The AAEP Foundation's mission is to improve the health and welfare of the horse through support of research, education, benevolence, and the equine community.
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| Equine Viral Arteritis in 2006 |
February/2007 |
Last year was marked by the re-emergence of equine viral arteritis (EVA) on a widespread scale in the United States, with evidence of infection confirmed in 10 states. The occurrence was significant in that it represented the first major incursion of the disease into the Quarter Horse population, which previously appeared to have largely escaped exposure to the causal agent, equine arteritis virus (EAV).
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| Honor of a Lifetime |
January/2007 |
As the AAEP enters its 53rd year of protecting the health and welfare of the horse, I am extremely honored to serve as the association's president.
The AAEP's long-range goals and mission have been clearly defined by its board of directors and leaders from previous years, so in 2007 I will work hard to keep the ship headed on its course.
This year the AAEP will continue to work to make the equine profession better for all horses, horse enthusiasts, and horse doctors.
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| Reproduction Education |
December/2006 |
The Ninth International Symposium on Equine Reproduction was held this past summer at Kerkrade, Netherlands, and it maintained its sound reputation for presenting original and applicable research. From its origin at Cambridge in 1974 until now, this meeting has been a model of consistent quality and a platform for the best minds in the world of equine reproductive investigation to gather every four years to exchange ideas and results and maintain contact with colleagues.
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| Healthy Horses |
November/2006 |
Equine veterinarians are the most qualified resource for horse health information. When looking for information or events that will help your efforts to keep your horse healthy, it is important to consider the qualifications of the source or event. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and many veterinary colleges coordinate seminars that feature equine veterinarians in an effort to advance the care and performance of the horse.
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| Gastric Ulcer Research |
October/2006 |
Gastric ulcer disease is a serious health problem in horses resulting in colic, poor performance, and pain. The term equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) describes erosions and ulcerations occurring in the lower portion of the esophagus, non-glandular and glandular stomach, and proximal duodenum (beginning of the small intestine) of horses.
EGUS is caused by many factors, including stomach anatomy, exercise, restricted feed intake, diet, environmental stressors (such as transport), and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs).
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| Welfare Concerns |
September/2006 |
Because protecting the health and welfare of the horse is one of the American Association of Equine Practitioner's (AAEP) core missions, the association has a standing committee of equine veterinarians dedicated to continuously monitoring issues affecting horse welfare.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association's position on animal welfare, animal welfare is a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling, and, when necessary, humane euthanasia.
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| Veterinary Education |
August/2006 |
A veterinarian's education does not end when he or she graduates from veterinary school. Some might go on to become board certified in a specialized area of practice, such as surgery or internal medicine, and all are required by state licensing boards to acquire a certain number of continuing education credits per year. Every state has different requirements.
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| Care for Adopted Wild Horses and Burros |
July/2006 |
Wild horses and burros adapt well to changes in their natural environments. The same holds true for their transition to domestic life. With a few preventive measures, they should have few health problems and won't need veterinary care beyond that appropriate for any new horse or burro added to the backyard herd.
After the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) gathers wild horses and burros from the range, they prepare them for adoption.
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| For the Good of All |
June/2006 |
This past January, the AAEP held its Resort Meeting in Rome, Italy. Immediately following, the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) held its 9th Congress across the Mediterranean Ocean in Marrakech, Morocco. It was not a coincidence that the two meetings were close together in dates and location, as the two organizations have become closer in their relationship with each other over the past five years.
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| Uniform Medication |
May/2006 |
The AAEP organized the Racing Medication Summit in December 2001 during the University of Arizona Racing Symposium in Tucson. By the end of the day, there was recognition by the participants that an opportunity existed to address the ongoing medication and drug testing controversies in horse racing. Soon thereafter, the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) was formed.
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| AAEP Disaster Update |
April/2006 |
In the wake of catastrophic world events, the AAEP created the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Task Force in 2002. The World Trade Center bombings, the foot and mouth outbreak in the United Kingdom, and Hurricane Lili pounding the Gulf Coast served as a collective wake-up call to the equine veterinary community. The AAEP realized that a safety net needed to be constructed to better support its members and the equine-owning public.
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| Barefoot Horses |
March/2006 |
Veterinarians are often asked about leaving horses barefoot. I must say from the onset that I favor horses being maintained without shoes when possible. Whether or not it is feasible for a horse to go without shoes will depend on the owners' situation/ expectations and many variables that influence the feet.
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| Pregnant Mares |
February/2006 |
The mare from which you have always wanted to raise a foal has just been pronounced pregnant by your veterinarian. Now you just have to wait about 11 months and see what she produces, right? Not so fast! There is much more involved than just waiting if you want the foal to have the best chance of being born healthy.
Your first concern is to maintain that newly detected pregnancy.
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| Help Us Help Horses |
January/2006 |
Since its inception in 1994, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation has allocated more than $750,000 to equine research, education, and benevolent programs that have improved the health and welfare of the horse. But the foundation is much more than a funding organization.
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| Breeding Specialists |
December/2005 |
The equine breeding industry has evolved dramatically with the introduction of artificial insemination programs and advanced assisted reproductive techniques. While live cover breeding pro-grams are still a mainstay for specific breeds, many breed associations now accept foals conceived through the use of cooled and frozen semen, embryo transfer, and advanced techniques such as hysteroscopic insemination and oocyte transfer.
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| Working Horse Dentistry |
November/2005 |
Equine dentistry started centuries ago with filing horses’ teeth, but it was not until the past decade that motorized dental instrumentation coupled with research allowed vast improvements. These advances have helped all horses, but performance or working horses have seen the most benefit.
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| Eastern Encephalitis |
October/2005 |
Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus is quite active in the United States, and many cases have been reported in Southeastern horses this year. The Florida state veterinarian expects levels close to 2003, when 200 horses were reported to have this disease.
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| Education for Owners from Veterinarians |
September/2005 |
Continuing education is essential to stay current with the changing field of equine health care. Do you know what the latest rec-ommendation is for vaccination against West Nile virus? Do you know what preventive steps can be taken within the first hours of a foal’s life that can save you thousands of dollars and prevent the possible death of your foal? Do you know the latest strategies to maximize performance? If you attended the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Horseman’s Day last year, you would know the answers to these critical questions.
The AAEP is committed to providing the finest experience in horse owner education this year at Horseman’s Day 2005 in Seattle, Wash.
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| When to Call the Vet? |
August/2005 |
Any list of clinical signs, conditions, or circumstances that should trigger a call for veterinary help could be endless. Due to the many subtleties and variables involved in episodes of injury or illness, a "do call vs. don't call checklist" approach to equine health care can also lead to overlooked clinical signs, treatment delays, and unfortunate outcomes.
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| Strangles: What to Know |
July/2005 |
The first reported case of strangles in a horse was in the year 1251, and it has continued to worry horse owners since that time. Your veterinarian has a wealth of knowledge about strangles infections in horses. This article will expose you to the basic facts about strangles so you can be a partner with your veterinarian as you work to treat, control, and prevent the disease.
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| Dedicated to Horse Health |
June/2005 |
Have you ever wished for newer and better treatment for a sick horse? The AAEP Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), is working to meet this need. Created in 1994, the AAEP Foundation's mission is to improve the health and welfare of the horse through research, education, benevolence, and equine industry support.
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| Vet Student/Farrier Courses |
May/2005 |
The importance of podiatry in equine practice and to the overall well-being (especially soundness) of the horse is well known. Treatment and prevention of lameness involving the distal limb centers around a thorough knowledge of hoof care. Due to the crowded curriculum during veterinary school, it was felt the veterinary student might not be exposed to sufficient podiatry (farriery) to be well-versed in this subject upon entering equine practice after graduation.
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| Recognizing and Responding to Neglect |
April/2005 |
Equine veterinarians are in a unique position to recognize neglect or the potential for neglect in horses. They have direct access to horses and horse property, and they get to know horses and their owners by providing care for many years. As regular outsiders, equine veterinarians might pick up on trends of which the horse's owner could be unaware.
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| All Horses Need Care |
March/2005 |
All of us believe we're responsible horse owners. We provide adequate care and nutrition, call the veterinarian when our horses don't seem quite right or need an annual examination, and in many cases treat them like members of our own families. Putting our horses first is a priority for everyone, right?
Unfortunately, not all horses' owners feel this way, and some horses don't even receive the basic necessities.
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| Piroplasmosis Testing |
February/2005 |
Piroplasmosis is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by one of two parasites, Babesia equi or Babesia caballi, which attack and destroy red blood cells in horses. The mortality rate can be as high as 20% among susceptible animals.
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| Vaccination Indications |
January/2005 |
The world is getting smaller every day. People and horses travel across the country and around the planet at rates never seen before. It has opened up huge opportunities for competition, growth, and learning. Unfortunately, it has also given us increased opportunities to be exposed to a growing number of diseases.
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| Vets Prepared for Hurricanes |
December/2004 |
In the days leading up to Hurricane Frances' landfall in Florida, it became apparent that if Marion County were to sustain significant damage from the storm, there was no plan to address ensuing problems relative to the equine population. On Sept.
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| Golden Opportunities |
November/2004 |
The American Association of Equine Practitioners' (AAEP) annual convention is recognized worldwide as the premier continuing education event for veterinarians who dedicate their practice to the care of the horse. The 50th annual convention will attract thousands of veterinarians from 53 countries to Denver, Colo.
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| Equine Metabolic Syndrome |
October/2004 |
Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), Cushing's disease, insulin resistance (IR), glucose intolerance, and glycemic indices of feeds have gotten a lot of press lately. The terms are taken from the human literature, where they have very specific connotations with regard to the clinical entities they denote.
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| Welfare is Your Concern |
September/2004 |
For a veterinarian, one of the most important oaths taken is to protect the health and welfare of the animals in your care. For an organization like the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), which is the largest professional association of equine veterinarians in the world, one of its most important roles is addressing welfare issues that affect the horse on the national level. Whether the welfare concern is the plight of the unwanted horse or horses involved in competition, many of these critical issues involve not only the veterinary community, but also the daily caretakers of the horse--the horse owners.
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| Future Laminitis Research |
August/2004 |
A survey of American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) members identified laminitis as the number one disease that requires research. Therefore, the Equine Laminitis Research Meeting and Panel will be held in Louisville, Ky., on July 25 in conjunction with the AAEP FOCUS and Practice Management seminars.
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| Deserving of Dentistry |
July/2004 |
There may be no branch of equine veterinary medicine that is advancing as quickly as equine dentistry. As recently as a decade ago, it was still considered adequate to feel along the sides of a horse's first upper cheek teeth and decide, based on sharpness alone, whether that horse needed a "float." If treatment was deemed necessary, it consisted of a speedy rasping along the outsides of the horse's upper cheek teeth as far back as the float would reach while holding the horse's tongue still with a free hand.
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| Advanced Diagnostics |
June/2004 |
Lameness is one of the most common problems encountered in equine veterinary medicine. The majority of lameness cases are localized to areas within the distal limb; however, the sources, causes, and locations of lameness are diverse. The cause of lameness in horses can be quite complex and often hard to determine.
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| Referring a Horse |
May/2004 |
Referral centers are those clinics or hospitals that offer diagnostic and therapeutic options not readily available or possible in a field (barn) type situation. These can include diagnostic modalities such as endoscopy with or without a treadmill, ultrasound, scintigraphy, and radiography, just to name a few.
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| Technical Equine Rescue |
April/2004 |
In today's world, a natural or man-made disaster can strike at any time. The only defense we have is preparation. Unfortunately, many animals are dragged, stranded, drowned, or dropped during attempted rescues by untrained personnel. Rescuers often get hurt, and the animals might be more injured by the rescue than they were during the accident.
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| Urban Horses |
March/2004 |
Horses living in the city, who would have ever thought? Where would they graze? What would you do with the manure? Where would you ride? Well, confining horses to a barn, paddock, or small acreage within the city limits has become an everyday occurrence. Caring for them in an altered environment is best accomplished with the help of your veterinarian.
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| Oxygen Therapy for Horses |
February/2004 |
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might be most easily recognized as the technology used to treat the "bends" or decompression sickness in divers. Its use as a medical treatment for humans is not new, but has undergone a resurgence in recent years. Many medical schools now have hyperbaric centers, and there is a list of Medicare-approved conditions for which HBOT is considered appropriate.
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| Reproductive Specialists |
December/2003 |
Is your best mare still not pregnant after three breedings? Is the stallion from whom you ship semen dropping off in fertility? Would you like to know about embryo transfer for your great cutting mare in order to keep her in competition? You might need to consult a theriogenologist! (Don't let the name stop you--that's just another name for veterinary reproduction specialist. It was coined from the Greek words for "animal" and "reproduction.
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| Don't Be a Bystander |
November/2003 |
Horses are an integral part of our lives. Because they work for us, teach us, entertain us, and promote our physical and emotional health, we, as horse owners, are continually searching for up-to-date information on how to provide the best care for our horses. We buy books, read articles, and surf the Internet looking for ways to improve our barns, choose the right trailer, feed the healthiest diet, and provide the best health care.
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| Recurring Splints |
October/2003 |
On the list of injuries a horse might acquire, "popping a splint" is considered, at most, an inconvenience that requires laying the affected horse off his normal routine. However, when it keeps happening, that little inconvenience can become a major nuisance and perhaps a surgical problem.
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| Late-Year Competition Horse Care |
September/2003 |
For many of us who compete with our horses, regardless of which discipline we compete in, fall is the time of year to seek the advice of our equine practitioners regarding any maintenance that will have our horses ready for competition next season. While many of us compete throughout the year, some of us are less active during the winter months.
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| Wounds in Horses |
August/2003 |
Despite owners providing excellent facilities, wounds are common in all types of horses. An owner should have an excellent working relationship with his/her veterinarian to provide optimal care.
While waiting for your veterinarian, there are a number of things a horse owner should not do.
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| Senior Citizen Surgery |
July/2003 |
There are many factors that veterinarians and owners consider when a surgical treatment is recommended for a horse. Cost, type of surgery, severity of surgery complications, outcome, rehabilitation time, expectations, and possible use of the patient following the procedure all play a role in determining if the procedure will be performed. When I first graduated from vet school (36 years ago), old age was a significant negative factor in considering surgery.
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| Laser Surgery in Horses |
June/2003 |
The term "laser" conjures up images varying from action movies to removal of skin wrinkles to hands-free toilet flushing. What these things have in common is that a beam of light with a particular wavelength produces a particular desired effect. A surgical laser simply delivers coherent (meaning the beam stays together indefinitely), monochromatic (single wavelength as opposed to the visible spectrum of many wavelengths) light to produce a specific tissue interaction.
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| Vet's Role in Physical Therapy |
May/2003 |
The health and soundness management of any horse--regardless of his level of use or the problems he might be encountering--is the responsibility of the horse's owner or trainer. The person responsible for the diagnosis, prescribing the treatment, and assessing progress and the effectiveness of the therapies is the veterinarian.
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| Heel Pain in Horses |
April/2003 |
Your previously normal horse has developed lameness, which you notice as a stiff, short-strided gait that is worse on the turns and worse on hard ground. Giving your horse phenylbutazone (Bute) dramatically improves the signs of lameness for a period of time, but the lameness persists and gets slightly worse.
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| Help With Skin Problems |
March/2003 |
Many equine skin problems have not been fully elucidated (analyzed and explained) yet, but experienced veterinarians often will recognize a problem and confirm a tentative diagnosis, if possible, with an appropriate test. Owners need to realize that many disorders of the equine skin have not been subjected to close clinical or scientific scrutiny, and although the clinical features are known and thus often recognizable, little is categorically established about the pathogenesis and therapy.
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| Resuscitating Foals |
February/2003 |
Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR, previously called CPR) is the restoration of spontaneous circulation (a heart beat) with the preservation of neurologic (brain) function. The most common and immediate problem requiring CPCR is an asphyxiated foal (one with inadequate oxygenation of tissues prior to and during foaling).
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| Gray Horse Disease--Melanoma |
January/2003 |
It is interesting that Federico Tesio in his book Breeding The Race Horse described the inheritance of the gray coat color like a disease or defect, since melanoma skin tumors are so common in the gray horse. On the other hand, the gray horse survives these tumors better than any other species that develops them.
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| Vet's Role in Parasite Control |
January/2003 |
Internal parasites can be a very serious problem for horses. Even though most owners are aware that deworming is a necessary part of an overall good health program for their horses, the veterinarian is sometimes left out of that loop. Because deworming agents are available over-the-counter, many--if not most--horse owners deworm their own horses without their veterinarian's advice or recommendations.
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| Your Partner in Horse Health |
December/2002 |
Articles, forums, and other information from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) have appeared in The Horse magazine for a number of years. I thought that for this Forum I might take the opportunity to let you know a little bit more about our organization--why we exist, what we do, and why we are relevant to you and your horses.
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| Find Reproductive Problems |
November/2002 |
Most of us associated with breeding mares and stallions can't wait for the season to end and don't want to think of barren mares and stallions until next year. However, the most opportune time to identify causes of infertility might be missed if you wait before performing a breeding soundness exam.
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| Fall Deworming |
October/2002 |
Fall is approaching rapidly and brings with it such predictable events as raking leaves, Thanksgiving dinner, and weekend football. Autumn also heralds changes in parasite activity that are equally predictable. However, just as the environmental effects of autumn differ throughout North America (scarlet maples in Vermont vs.
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| Pre-Sale Questions |
September/2002 |
A pre-sale veterinary examination for a horse of any age in any discipline should address two questions. Can this particular individual, in the opinion of the examiner, be expected--barring illness or injury--to reach competition in a timely fashion? That answer, of course, should be an emphatic yes. Can this individual--again, barring illness or injury--be expected to experience at least a normal career of competition? That answer should also be yes.
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| West Nile Virus Encephalitis |
August/2002 |
In August 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) was identified as the cause of encephalitis in birds, horses, and humans in New York. Since then, WNV activity has spread north and south along the East Coast, and west to several states following bird migration patterns. Prior to its introduction in New York, WNV was reported to cause outbreaks in other parts of the world.
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| Tying-Up in Horses |
July/2002 |
Tying-up is the most common muscle problem in horses. This syndrome is also called azoturia, set fast, paralytic myoglobinuria, and chronic exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER). HYPP (hyperkalemic periodic paralysis) in Quarter Horses is a different problem.
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| Diagnosing Hind Limb Gait Abnormalities |
June/2002 |
Provided a neurological examination is normal, the most common causes of abnormal hind limb gaits are stringhalt, upward fixation of the patella, and fibrotic myopathy.
Stringhalt
Stringhalt is an involuntary hyperflexion of one or both hind limbs in which the degree of flexion can be quite variable, with the most exaggerated cases kicking the abdomen.
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| Wobbler Syndrome Signs and Diagnosis |
May/2002 |
A veterinarian can say several things that will chill every horse owner's heart, including colic, laminitis, navicular disease, and wobbler syndrome. These cause fear because of the unknown--and often unfavorable--outcome for your horse. But as veterinary medicine progresses, these terms cause less anxiety because some of the unknowns are being solved.
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| Be Prepared for Emergencies |
April/2002 |
Not to be pessimistic, but if you own horses long enough, you will have to deal with emergencies. The best way to handle these situations is to be prepared. Here are some suggested items for a basic first-aid kit: Thermometer; flashlight; bandage material including padding, Vetrap, Elastikon tape, brown gauze, sterile gauze, track bandages, and duct tape; Easy Boot; Betadine antiseptic scrub; Ivory soap; alcohol or Nolvasan solution; Furacin or Nolvasan antiseptic ointment; fly spray; hoof pick; hoof knife; shoe pullers; hoof rasp; phenylbutazone (Bute); splint; sterile saline; and your veterinarian's phone number.
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| Feeding Broodmares |
March/2002 |
The broodmare goes through three phases of reproduction--early gestation, late gestation, and lactation. Mares in good body condition cycle earlier in the year, require fewer cycles per conception, have a higher pregnancy rate, and are able to maintain pregnancies better than thin mares. Management of the mare's body condition should be supported by careful selection of feedstuffs and accurate ration formulation.
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| Feeding for Performance |
February/2002 |
Feeding high-performance horses is a challenge. If nutritional requirements are met appropriately, performance can be improved over those horses which are fed imbalanced diets in irregular amounts. When working with a veterinarian or nutritionist to develop an economical and efficient feeding program, take into consideration energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
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| Strategic Layoffs |
January/2002 |
Many equestrian sports are seasonal, with a competition season alternating with an off season. Even in sports that continue year-round, most trainers schedule a break from competition, which gives the horse a chance to recover mentally and physically from the stress of traveling and competing. Consequently, long-term conditioning plans are based on including this down time.
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| Wintering a Geriatric Horse |
December/2001 |
Depending on where you live, your equine companions might have to tough it through harsh conditions in the winter months. No matter their age, most horses entering the winter season in good condition will do fine on the same routine with only minor changes. But what about the geriatric horse? It is important to realize the difference between old and geriatric.
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| Aging Horses Accurately |
November/2001 |
Aging horses by their incisor teeth is as much an art as a science. Traditional "indicators of age," such as eruption date, "cups," Galvayne's groove, hooks, shape of the table surface of the lower central incisors, etc., often result in wide age estimates.
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| Anthrax Affects Everyone |
November/2001 |
Anthrax is a rapidly developing, acute or sub-acute, fever-producing, infectious disease of all warm-blooded species, including humans. It is a dangerous, reportable disease that when suspected in an animal should be brought immediately to the attention of a veterinarian. Anthrax outbreaks are commonly found in regions with alkaline (basic) soil, such as the Great Plains states (North Dakota to Texas) and the Intermountain Basin states (Nevada and Utah).
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| Foal Hoof Care |
October/2001 |
Among the many factors that determine the success of a foal as a sales yearling or as a mature athlete are management decisions about its feet and limbs during its first four months of life. Because a solid foundation for performance in the future begins with foot care in the foal, many leading breeding farms use programs that combine the knowledge of a veterinarian (who specializes in podiatry) with the skills of a farrier.
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| More Than a Toothache |
October/2001 |
Many practitioners have developed great dental skills and have expanded their dental services. However, clients aren't using them! Dental care is more that just "floating" teeth. There are many steps you can integrate into your program to improve your horse's dental health.
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| Importance of a Purchase Exam |
October/2001 |
There are so many unknowns about a horse that you want to minimize any surprises you may get down the road. Purchasing a horse is an exciting and uplifting experience, and you want your expectations to be fulfilled. In order to avoid any disappointment, you should ask an accomplished equine practitioner to investigate your intended purchase to see if it has any "glitches," major or minor.
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| Reproductive Challenges: Barren Mares |
October/2001 |
The anticipation and jubilation surrounding the arrival of the first foals of the new year have come for many of us. It is interesting how transient that celebration is. In fact, we are applauding Mother Nature and the victories of last year's early breeding endeavors and realize the next contest is about to begin anew and in earnest.
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| So You Want to Breed... |
October/2001 |
Breeding season is just around the corner, and you might be one of the thousands of mare owners considering breeding your mare. Before taking the plunge and becoming a full-time reproduction service, you should create a realistic expectation of breeding management and preparation.
Begin by asking yourself several questions.
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| What Can Your Veterinarian Do for Parasite Control? |
October/2001 |
In-feed wormer? Pastes? Stomach tube? Field rotation?
With a myriad of choices, designing a worming program for your horse can prove quite cumbersome. Unfortunately, the increased availability of commercial parasite control has reduced the role for veterinarians in the planning and implementation of comprehensive programs.
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| Veterinarian's Role In Equine Insurance |
October/2001 |
Why Insure?
Over the last several years, more and more horses are being insured. The purchase of a horse or horses is a significant investment relative to purchase price and ultimate maintenance. For many buyers, the purchase of a horse or horses represents the biggest portion of their total spending ability.
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| Making Every Health Dollar Count |
October/2001 |
One of the most important aspects of owning a horse is the relationship an owner has with his or her veterinarian. In these days of advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques, horses live longer, healthier lives, and therefore, give their owners that much more enjoyment and pleasure.
Hopefully, your relationship with a veterinarian will begin because you are aware of preventative health measures, such as deworming and vaccination, which keep your horse on his feet, literally.
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| Waging War on Equine Parasites |
October/2001 |
Internal parasites are silent killers. They can cause extensive internal damage, and you may not even realize your animals are heavily infected. At the very least, parasites can cause gastrointestinal irritation and unthriftiness. At its worst, parasite infestation can lead to colic, intestinal ruptures, and even death.
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| New Year's Vet-Solutions |
October/2001 |
Exercise more. Cut down on coffee. Call your children more often. The new year is here--and why not put your horse's health on your resolution list? Just like you, your horse needs a health maintenance plan and regular immunizations from its doctor.
Immunizations will protect your horse from the ravages of disease easily and effectively--IF planned properly.
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| Fescue Toxicosis |
October/2001 |
Mares grazing on tall fescue pastures infected with a toxin have increased gestation lengths, mare and foal deaths, agalactia (absent milk secretion after birth), retained placentas, premature separation of the placenta at birth, and increased placental weights and thickness. The endophytic fungus, called Acremonium coenophialum, lives on the grass and has been reported to cause all of the previously mentioned reproductive problems in mares.
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| Therapeutic Options - What is AAEP's Position? |
October/2001 |
Today, therapeutic options such as acupuncture, chiropractic and physical therapy are experiencing wider clinical use. Although the mechanisms by which these therapeutic options may work are not fully understood, they do offer the potential of expanding the scope of equine practice. The medical nature of many of these procedures makes it extremely important that the veterinary community remain involved.
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| Back To School-American Association of Equine Practitioners |
October/2001 |
For most of us, our formal education might have ended upon graduation from high school or college. With our trusty sheepskin, we entered bravely into the world of the gainfully employed, with only the occasional nightmare of imagining having enrolled in a class we never attended or showing up clad only in books and boxers reminding us of classroom days. For your equine veterinarian, however, school is never out.
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| Forelimb Flexion Test |
October/2001 |
You've decided to sell your horse and the potential buyer has sent a veterinarian to your farm to perform a purchase exam. As you stand beaming with satisfaction next to who you hope will be the new owner, the veterinarian picks up your horse's left front leg. Bending it at the fetlock, he or she holds it for about 60 seconds, returns it to the ground, and asks that the horse be jogged down your asphalt drive.
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| Understanding Your Horse's Teeth |
October/2001 |
Horses have a unique dental structure. Their teeth are divided into two major sections: the incisors, which are the teeth seen in the front of the horse's mouth, and the cheek teeth, made up of the premolars and molars. The molars and premolars are lined up tightly against each other, creating the appearance of one chewing surface.
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| Protecting Your Horse From Disease Outbreaks |
October/2001 |
When it comes to protecting your horse from disease outbreaks, Mom was right. An ounce of prevention is definitely the way to go. Infectious diseases can be devastating to your horse and your pocketbook, but there are steps you can take to protect your horse. Prevention is a two-fold process.
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| Definition Of Horses As Livestock |
October/2001 |
What is livestock?
Livestock is most commonly considered animals kept or raised in a farm or ranch setting and used in a commercial enterprise. The raising of livestock is an agricultural endeavor that promotes the preservation of green space and a way of life that many in today's society desire.
Are horses livestock?
Yes, horses are livestock.
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| What You Do Not Know... |
October/2001 |
The federal government decided to include funding for equine research in the fiscal year 1999 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that passed recently (see Up Front page 9). Those moneys are earmarked for several areas, including research into contagious equine metritis (CEM) and the CEM-like organism that was discovered in California and Kentucky.
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| Maximizing Pregnancy Rates With Shipped Semen |
October/2001 |
Well, there’s no avoiding it—shipped semen is no longer the ‘wave of the future.’ It has rapidly emerged as an integral part of every general equine practice and breeding facility. Therefore, we must pay rapt attention to all means of enhancing the fertility of stallion semen being shipped nationwide.
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| Tying Up is Split Up |
October/2001 |
Muscle disease in performance horses commonly is referred to as tying-up, exertional rhabdomyolysis, azoturia, or Monday morning disease. Horses experiencing tying-up show a stiff gait; reluctance to move; firm, painful muscle cramps; profuse sweating; increased heart rate; and increased respiratory rate. Horses that tie up also have moderate to marked elevations of certain muscle proteins in their blood, indicating muscle cell damage.
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| Common Skin Issues for Horses |
September/2001 |
The horse's largest and most visible organ is his skin. Its job is to protect the internal organs from the outside environment; to help maintain constant temperature, water, and mineral balance; and to provide the sensations of pain and touch. The skin is composed of the epidermis--a dried cellular layer--and the dermis--the live portion of the skin.
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| Researchers Declare War On EPM |
September/2001 |
According to a number of researchers across the country, anything less than an all-out scientific assault on several fronts will not result in a victory in the battle to conquer equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Veterinary schools, equine research centers, private practitioners, and pharmaceutical companies have joined the battle against this devastating and costly disease.
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| Wait and See Will Not Work for Equine Corneal Problems |
August/2001 |
A corneal ulcer (ulcerative keratitis) is the most serious eye disease that veterinarians treat. Defined as a lesion in which the outer layer and some of the middle layer of the cornea have been lost, even simple ulcers can quickly progress to larger, more complicated ones if not diagnosed and treated promptly. A corneal ulcer can even lead to an infection of the eye's inner structures.
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| Enjoying Veterinary Visits |
June/2001 |
In our referral equine behavior practice, we frequently rehabilitate horses perceived to be uncooperative with one or more veterinary procedures such as injections, nasogastric tubing, genital examination, etc. We have found that straightforward behavior modification techniques--adapted to the horse--are highly effective in regaining and maintaining cooperation, even in once dangerously resistant animals.
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| Feeding Young Horses: It's Not the Protein |
May/2001 |
Genetics, exercise, and nutrition all play a role in the occurrence of developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) in young horses. There are, however, conflicting theories regarding the role of each. Breeds selected for rapid growth are at an increased risk, but growth rate alone does not cause the problem.
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| Is Your Horse Enrolled In A Wellness Program |
March/2001 |
A wellness program for your horse will save you time, money, and most of all the headache of worrying if you're doing the right things at the right time. But with all the sources of horse health care information available today, how do you decide what's right for your horse? Books, magazines, the Internet, your farrier, the feed store operator, and other resources can offer conflicting information, making you unsure of what practical horse care is anymore.
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| A Paradigm For Equine Euthanasia |
February/2001 |
A horse owner develops a relationship with his or her horse that is marked by mutual trust, respect, and affection, much as would be encountered in a relationship between two people who spend several hours every day together doing something enjoyable for both. Overall, the levels of attachment shown by horse owners seem to be increasing.
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| Embryo Transfer in Equine Breeding Programs |
January/2001 |
Once an experimental technology, embryo transfer has become an integral part of breeding programs throughout the world. Experience and technological improvements have made it a productive and relatively reliable procedure. Unlike the in-vitro fertilization procedures commonly used in human infertility treatments, both conception and early embryo growth occur in the donor mare.
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| Filly or Colt? Find Out Before It's Born |
January/2001 |
Knowing the gender of a foal before it is born helps the horse owner or breeder better manage several different aspects of the horse business. This new management tool is very safe, accurate, and can be incorporated into most breeding programs quite easily. Here are some examples of how ultrasound diagnosis of fetal gender can be used:
Many breeders want to know the gender of the unborn foal to help them decide whether or not to keep a mare or her current offspring.
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| How Well Do You Know Your Stallion? |
January/2001 |
When a breeding fails, many times the mare is blamed. A large volume of information exists to help breeders understand infertility in the mare, and veterinarians are using the latest technology to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility in the mare.
But what if it's not the mare? What if it's the stallion? How do you know? In order to maximize the reproductive capacity of a stallion--and determine if the problem is originating from him--breeders must understand their stallion's seminal quality.
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| The Guttural Pouch: Friend or Foe? |
January/2001 |
The unique qualities of the horse can be a blessing or a curse. Sometimes, they can be both. Consider the peculiar guttural pouches. Present in only a few other animals, these structures are diverticula of the auditory (eustachian) tubes and, until recently, were thought to serve no purpose (see Mystery Solved in the June 2000 issue). An uncommon source of disease in horses, they must be taken into account if certain signs such as bleeding from the nose, swelling of the salivary glands, damage to nerves of the head or throat, or upper respiratory illness are present.
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| Protect Horses from Exhaustion and Overheating |
January/2001 |
A horse asked to perform strenuous exercise often is pushed to the limits of his body's mechanisms to recover. In most cases, these mechanisms allow the horse to finish the exercise with no problem. Sometimes, however, the horse's ability to recover is inadequate, putting the horse into a shock-like state.
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| Overo Lethal White Syndrome |
January/2001 |
Overo Lethal White Syndrome (OLWS) is a condition that occurs in newborn foals. The condition is genetic, and both parents carry the defective gene. Horses which carry this gene are most commonly overo white patterned horses (frame overos), but there are exceptions. The defective gene has been found in American Paint Horses, American Miniature Horses, Half-Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and cropout Quarter Horses (foals born to registered Quarter Horse parents which have too much white to qualify for registration with the American Quarter Horse Association).
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| Does Your Vaccine Program Need an Overhaul? |
January/2001 |
How would you like to spend less money, yet do a better job of protecting your horse against disease? Ongoing research suggests that traditional vaccination schedules might not be protecting our foals adequately. There is even controversy over the possibility that the current protocol of vaccinating foals early and too often could keep them from reaching their full potential to resist disease later as adults.
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| Reproductive Problems in the Draft Horse |
January/2001 |
Draft mares usually make excellent mothers, providing a large amount of milk and rarely rejecting a foal. Because of these traits, draft mares make good nurse mares; some mares can even support and feed two foals. Also, the tendency for multiple ovulations makes draft mares good candidates for embryo transfer.
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| Importance of Tapeworms in Colic |
January/2001 |
It is well recognized that there is a relationship between parasitic infections of horses and the clinical signs of colic. Parasites can cause colic through mechanical damage, allergic irritation, interference with nerve transmission, interference with blood flow, and alteration of intestinal motility. Recently, new information has suggested a strong association between tapeworm infection and certain causes of colic, including spasmodic colic, ileal impaction, and intussusception (telescoping of one section of intestine into another).
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| Vitamin E and Equine Motor Neuron Disease |
November/2000 |
Thomas J. Divers, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC, reported at the Cornell at Saratoga Symposium on Equine Health Care that many of the questions about equine motor neuron disease (EMND) have been answered. EMND was first reported in 1990 by the late John Cummings, DVM, PhD.
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| Skin Problems During the Summer |
August/2000 |
Skin problems in horses are some of the most frustrating disorders to manage for both owner and veterinarian. Skin problems can disfigure a horse, and even can cause unsoundness. In addition, many skin diseases, such as allergies, have a complex cause so that one easy treatment is not available.
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| Helping Your Horse through Its Golden Years |
July/2000 |
Fortunately for our nation's horse population, interest in equine geriatrics among veterinarians and researchers has been increasing. As a result, it has been found that not only do senior horses have different preventive care needs, but also that certain disease conditions become more common as horses age. Many of the conditions we associate with "old age" in the horse--like lameness, weight loss, or poor shedding--actually might be preventable or treatable.
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| When My Horse is in a Fire... |
January/2000 |
While a barn fire is uncommon, there is nothing more devastating-with more complicated consequences-than a horse's becoming a burn victim. But it does happen. The first steps when confronted with a barn fire are obvious-remove the animal from the structure if possible.
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| Equine Dental Care is More Than Just Floating Teeth |
October/1999 |
When you schedule an appointment for yourself at the dentist’s office, you usually mark off a whole afternoon on your calendar. You have X rays, get a thorough cleaning of each and every tooth, maybe get a tooth or two filled—and you almost always receive a lecture on how you need to floss more. Although it seems tedious, you know routine checkups and diagnostic examinations contribute to the health of your teeth.
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| The Use of Thermography in Lameness Evaluation |
June/1999 |
Lameness diagnosis can be very frustrating when the source of pain is located in the upper leg and is not associated with a synovial structure, or the lameness is too subtle to utilize diagnostic analgesic injections, or the patient is not amenable to these injections, or the lameness is difficult to eliminate by local analgesic injection. These cases usually require the practitioner to treat the horse symptomatically or to perform other diagnostic techniques to try and determine possible areas of injury.
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| Congenital Cleft Palate |
May/1999 |
Congenital cleft palate in horses is an uncommon deformity affecting approximately 0.1-0.2% of the equine population. The condition is a malformation of the soft and sometimes hard palate where the left and right side fail to unite, forming a cleft. It is usually recognized shortly after birth when the foal starts nursing.
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| Deep Digital Flexor Tenotomy As a Treatment for Chronic Laminitis |
March/1999 |
The coffin bone is the primary bone within the horse's foot. The hoof capsule encases this bone like a body in a coffin (hence the name coffin bone). The laminae within the foot are the soft tissue structures that firmly attach the coffin bone to the hoof wall. Laminitis, in its simplest terms, is inflammation of the laminae that attach the coffin bone to the hoof capsule.
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| A Humane Use of the Equine Athlete: Endurance Riding |
November/1998 |
Similar to the increase in number of marathons and ultramarathons for human athletes, equine endurance competitions in distances of 50-100 miles have become increasingly popular over the past couple of decades. The growing interest in endurance riding has encouraged participants with different levels of prior horse experience to become involved with the sport.
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| Panic Or Procrastinate? What To Do if Your Horse Has Eaten a Poisonous Plant |
September/1998 |
You provide plenty of good quality feed, water, and turnout--do you still have to worry about your horse's getting sick from eating a poisonous plant? While common sense and good horse management are your horse's best protection, toxicology, like most other life sciences, has many unanswered questions. But by taking advantage of what is known, you can decrease the chance of your horse eating the wrong plant at the wrong time.
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| Alternatives: Therapeutic Options |
August/1998 |
The AAEP supports the rights of the veterinary practitioner to select and prescribe a course of therapy believed to be in the best interest of the horse and consistent with the Veterinary Oath of Practice.
Guidelines on Therapeutic Options (1992)
Diagnostic evaluation by a licensed veterinarian is required prior to any of the following therapies.
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| Room To Breathe |
April/1998 |
As show and rodeo season starts in full swing, many horse owners dutifully prepare their horses for traveling by wrapping legs with protective covering, checking that the trailer flooring is sound, and making sure their horses are securely tied--all with thoughts of protecting the health and welfare of their valuable cargo. However, few give much thought to a very important consideration--what can be done to protect their horse's lungs? Transporting horses for long distances can be a contributing factor in the development of respiratory disease, which can last long after the trip is over.
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| A Deadly Cough |
March/1998 |
When foals get sick, horse owners can sometimes face many sleepless nights, as well as weeks or months of intensive management, to get these babies through the rough spots. One of the most common problems in the ill foal is pneumonia, caused by a bacteria called Rhodococcus equi, which attacks foals between one and six months of age.
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| Does Frozen Semen Really Work? |
February/1998 |
It has been more than 40 years since Canadian investigators reported the birth of the first foal from the insemination of a mare using frozen stallion semen. Since then, the technology of semen freezing has evolved tremendously.
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| Baby Boosters |
January/1998 |
Foals, just as infants, are vulnerable to disease and infection because their young bodies are naive to the world of germs and bacteria. The inclination, particularly for horse owners who choose to vaccinate their own horses, is to administer vaccines as early as possible or as recommended by over-the-counter products. New research, however, seems to indicate that doing so might be a moot point in the very young.
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| Can You Ride Your Horse Through a Flu? |
November/1997 |
You wake up after having a fitful night, coughing, wheezing and constantly grabbing for that next tissue. Your chest feels it's in a vice, you can't eat and you've got the blues. What you really have is the flu, and when your horse has it, he doesn't feel any better.
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| Tendinitis |
July/1997 |
Tendinitis is a troublesome disorder for many owners and trainers of highly competitive horses. In fact, some horsemen feel injury to the tendons and ligaments threatens an equine athlete's career more than fractures. The "bowed tendon" involves inflammation of the superficial flexor tendon, where an unsightly "bow," or bulge, will appear most often in the forelimb.
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| The Purchase Exam |
June/1997 |
As the name suggests, purchase exams are an exploratory process designed to evaluate the physical condition of a horse before you commit to a purchase. It is performed by a veterinarian and is, before anything else, a comprehensive physical examination.
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| Why It's Important to Get Involved in Government |
October/1996 |
What do you mean I can't keep my horse in a barn next to my house?Why can't we get the medicine for my horse that we used last year?Nobody is going to tell me how to transport my horse.What do you mean my horse can't drink out of the stream/brook/river that goes through my pasture?
What do all of the above statements have in common? They are all reactions of horse owners/trainers/eventers, etc.
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| Colic in Horses: Recognize the Signs |
May/1996 |
Owners, beware. THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF HORSES IS COLIC! But it's not a disease. It is not an immediate accident. And, unfortunately, it is not thoroughly understood.
It can, however, become life threatening in a relatively short period of time.
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| New Treatment For Joint Disease |
January/1996 |
Both the equine practitioner and the horse owner have been barraged with a number of new treatments for arthritis in joint injury, a common problem to anyone who owns horses. Some, such as Adequan and hyaluronic acid, have been around for a while.
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