Tis the Season...for Equine Botulism

For most people, autumn is the time for falling leaves and unpacking warm clothes.

Unfortunately for horse vets it is also time to start keeping an eye out for botulism cases. Botulism is a very serious and potentially deadly disease that all horse owners should be aware of and vaccinate against. Please read this blog post carefully and share with your horsey friends, even if you have never come across a horse suffering from botulism. I am always very sad when I am faced with a horse that is dying from a case of this disease, and the most common thing I hear from owners is that no one ever told them about botulism, so they had no idea it could be so lethal. By sharing a little bit of knowledge on the disease, hopefully more people can be made aware and save more equine lives.

These Are a Few of My Favorite (Horse) Things!

A Short List of Equine-Related Items that I Couldn’t Do Without

I will start by saying that I don’t have a professional relationship with any of the companies listed, aside from being an “affiliate” with Fly Predators (although I would be quite open to discussing sponsorship or advertising if anyone were interested!).

Tips and Tricks from an Equine Veterinarian:

A Few Things to Make Horse-keeping Easier

First of all, I am sorry to have missed a few weeks of blogging; I have been very busy at work! I will try to stick to a schedule from now on. I thought I would write a more casual blog today, just to share some of the things I have learned over the years that have helped me in my work with horses. There are some tips and also some information that is useful to know when being around horses. Most of these things come up almost weekly in discussions with my clients, so hopefully you will find them helpful. Here goes!

Gastric Ulceration in Horses---The Root of All Equine Evil?

Stomach (gastric) ulcers in horses has been a hot topic for the last few years, and for good reason. Recent research has indicated that many more horses are suffering from this condition than previously thought. Also, the finding that even backyard, non-performance horses have ulcers is surprising to most people, since the misconception in the past was that only high-stress horses such as racehorses and those showing often had problems with gastric ulcers. It is estimated that between 50 and 90% of horses have ulcers, depending on the class of horse, and even foals can suffer from them.

Anterior Enteritis---"But I've Never Heard of That Kind of Colic!"

Anterior enteritis (AE), also known as gastroduodenojejunitis or proximal duodenitis-jejunitis, is a confusing diagnosis for horse owners to understand. It is also difficult for veterinarians to explain, because we don't have all the answers as to why this condition occurs! Anterior enteritis is an inflammation of the small intestine

Colic in Horses: What Does it Actually Mean?

Healing a Horse Suffering from Colic with Old Wine and Olive Oil (1271 C.E.)

The word “colic” is one that strikes fear in the minds of many horsepeople. Most owners will have dealt with it at some point, either with their own horse or with that of an acquaintance at the barn, but their experiences will vary depending on the exact diagnosis. What does “colic” actually mean, though? It probably means different things in the minds of different people.

Transporting Your Horse By The Rules

What requirements have to be met and what documentation do you need to move your horse this year?

Equine Fact or Fiction?

Things You Never Knew and Things You Thought You Knew!

I thought this week I would blog about some common misconceptions and interesting facts about veterinary care of horses and horse-keeping in general. There is a lot of information available on the internet and from other horse-people, but not all of it is true. It never hurts to ask your veterinarian if you are not sure about a topic; no question is too silly to ask us!

A Typical Day in the Life

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a vet’s life? Maybe this blog entry will shed some light on the ultra-glamorous goings-on of a horse veterinarian!

A Few Common Equine Eye Conditions

Injuries to the eye are one of the most common things we treat as equine veterinarians. I always tell clients to treat eye conditions as emergencies and have them examined as soon as possible, because although eyes having amazing healing ability, they can also be permanently damaged in a very short period of time. Living outdoors, horses are exposed to all sorts of foreign bodies that can damage the eyes. Something as small as dust or sleet can cause irritation, as can pieces of hay, horses rubbing their faces on their legs, and sneaky things like the upturned edges of the handles on a water bucket. Other eye conditions can be brought on by viral or bacterial infections, auto-immune disorders, or for no obvious reason at all (we call this "iatrogenic"). In the absence of a veterinary exam, it is best to apply no medication to the eye, unless your veterinarian advises otherwise. Using the wrong medication (for example steroid ointment on an eye with a corneal ulcer) can lead to severe consequences such as permanent blindness.

New Year, New USEF Drugs and Medications Rules

A Review of the USEF Testing Program and Changes for 2014

Planning on competing your horse in a USEF show this year? It is important for both competitors and trainers to understand the rules regulating the use of medications under the USEF. These rules can change yearly and the USEF expects everyone involved in their competitions to be familiar with the regulations. Entering a USEF show signifies that you agree to abide by the rules in order to provide a level playing field for all competitors and maintain the safety of both the horses and humans involved. The official 2014 USEF Drugs and Medications Program rules can be found here. I want to touch on the most important changes to the rules and the most commonly questioned parts of the existing rules in this blog entry. The guidelines can sometimes be confusing or overwhelming. If you have any questions, the staff at the USEF office is happy to help over the phone, or you can ask any of the testing veterinarians at shows. I work as both a USEF testing veterinarian and FEI treating veterinarian in my spare time and am always glad to share information related to treating and testing by the rules.

Anaplasmosis: A Tick-Borne Disease on the Rise in Horses

Anaplasmosis, also known as equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis, is a bacterial infection that is spread by deer ticks, the same tick that can spread Lyme’s disease. Infected ticks can harbor either one or both organisms at the same time and infect a horse with Lyme’s and anaplasmosis with one bite. Infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum targets a certain type of white blood cells, and signs can be seen up to 3 weeks post-inoculation. I usually see more cases of anaplasmosis starting in the late fall after tick season, and continuing into the spring.

Some Simple Things to Consider During Winter for Better Horse Health.

Winter is finally upon us and with it comes a whole new set of challenges for keeping our horses healthy and happy. I just wanted to touch on a few points that come to mind when dealing with cold weather.