Friday 24 July 2015

Tyzzer's disease

Tyzzer's disease is an acute, highly fatal bacterial infection that is seen in a wide range of animals. It most commonly affects foals and laboratory animals


Tyzzer disease is highly fatal and is caused by Clostridium piliforme also called as Bacillus piliformis

Clinical Signs

  • lethargy
  • loss of suckle reflex
  • severe icterus
  • neurological signs (such as head pressing or circling),
  • pyrexia
  • diarrhoea.
Treatment and prevention

  • Specific Antibiotics should be taken
  • Other supportive treatment may include aggressive fluid therapy with dextrose and control of seizure activity using a sedative such as xylazine.
  • Good hygiene and adequate colostrum intake are therefore essential for decreasing the risk of disease
  • Stress factors such as transport and overcrowding have been linked to Tyzzer's disease, therefore these should be minimised. 

Hendra Virus infection in horses

Hendra virus infection is an emerging viral disease of horses and humans in Australia. Although this disease is uncommon, cases have been reported periodically since it was first recognized in 1994


Hendra Virus is a zoonotic disease; that is the disease can be transmitted from horses to humans during close contact with an infected horse. Hendra virus is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from horses to humans.

Etiology
Hendra virus (HeV) is a member of the genus Henipavirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. This genus includes the closely related Nipah virus.


Transmission
Horses and humans seem to be spillover hosts for Hendra virus. Bats of the genus Pteropus (fruit bats/ flying foxes) appear to be the reservoir hosts.
In flying foxes, Hendra virus has been isolated from blood, fetal tissues and uterine fluids, and unpublished research also reports the virus in urine, feces and saliva

Clinical Signs
Two syndromes, one characterized primarily by respiratory disease and the other mainly by neurological signs, have been reported in horses
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Respiratory distress
  • Frothy nasal discharge
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased respiratory rate
  • Jaundice
Treatment and prevention
  • These is no specific antiviral drugs available
  • Vaccination is the best defense against Hendra virus infection and horse owners should discuss their options with their veterinarian
  • Horse feed and water troughs should be relocated to areas away from where bats feed or roost.
  • Culling of infected animals
  • Sick horses should be isolated
  • Protective mask,gloves, eyewears should be worn when handling sick animals.

Wednesday 22 July 2015

Flatulent colic in horses

Flatulent colic is produced by overproduction of gas in the large intestine and caecum causes distension of stomach.

Symptoms
Distension of abdominal area
Difficulty breathing
Sweating
Pawing
Frequently looking at the flank
lying down
Rolling over
Causes
sudden change in diet
large quantities of green food
Indigestion
unclean water
improper feeding
irregular teeth

Treatment and Prevention
Consult the veterinarian immediately
Good management
Regular routine of feeding and exercise can able to prevent colic.
New feed should be introduced gradually
Plenty of clean water should be given
Regular deworming is necessary
Regular dental checkup is essential

Monday 20 July 2015

Mold corn poisoning in horses

A fatal brain condition of horses caused by fumonisin mold toxins in the corn they are eating is a potential problem for horses.
This is also called as Equine leucoencephalomalacia(ELEM) or Mold corn poisoning
It is toxic disease caused by toxin of the mold--- Fusobacterium moniliform. This is seasonal disease.

Clinical signs
Neurological syndrome
  • Anorexia
  • Obtundation
  • Head pressing
  • Central blindness
  • Ataxia
  • Paresis

Hepatic syndrome
  • Icterus
  • Recumbancy
  • Coma

Treatment
  • There is no specific treatments for this disease however some supportive intravenous fluid therapy is needed to control the situations.
  • Treatment to control Seizers
  • Removal of contaminated feeds is advised.



Friday 17 July 2015

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)

The equine encephalitis viruses are mosquito transmitted diseases that can cause severe inflammation of the brain. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) most commonly occurs in the Eastern United States and Canada.
Equine encephalitis viruses closely related to venezulean equine encephalitis virus

Causes
The Togaviradae virus found in wild birds, transmitted to horses and humans via the bite of an infected mosquito, causes EEE and WEE

Signs
  • Fever
  • Drowsiness
  • Muscle twitches
  • Drooping ears
  • Circling
  • Paralysis of the pharynx, larynx and tongue are common
  • Head pressing
  • Paralysis
Prevention
  • Vaccines for EEE, WEE, and VEE are available for horses.
  • Measures to control mosquito populations and minimize mosquito exposure will decrease chances of infection
  • Remove standing water
  • Insect repellents can be used
Treatment
  • There is no cure for EEE
  • Corticosteroids, anticonvulsants can be given
  • Intra venous fluid therapy can be given
  • Antipyeretics can be given to reduce fever.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Entropion in horses


  • Entropion is the condition of the eye in which there is folding of eyelid and causes rubbing of cornea.
  • Mostly the eyelashes rubs against eye surface.
  • Thoroughbred may have increased prevalence.
  • This is a congenital defect results in excessive tearing and dicomfort for the foal.

Causes
  • Heriditary problems
  • Mostly occurs in foals due to Dehydration
  • Injury of eyelid

Symptoms
  • Eyelid roll
  • Reddening of eyes
  • Lacrimation of the eyes

Treatment
  • Consult the veterinarian immediately.
  • Surgery is required to correct this conditions.
  • Topical opthalmic ointment can be applied
  • Topical antibiotics can also be applied to prevent secondary bacterial infections.


Monday 13 July 2015

Kimberly disease or Crotalism or Walk about disease

Walkabout disease, which is also known as Kimberley horse disease, affects horses that graze plants of the genus Crotalaria, commonly known as rattlepods.
Crotalaria species are known to cause walkabout disease in horses

Causes

Crotalaria plant species contain poisonous substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) which, when broken down to their metabolites, are toxic to the liver

Symptoms
  • Weakness
  • Anorexia
  • Emaciation
  • Loss of coordination
  • Nervous damage
  • Horses often stand with their heads held down
  • Horses become dull and depressed
  • Head pressing
  • Difficult swallowing
  • Horses drag their hind legs
Prevention
  • Remove horses from paddocks that contain Crotalaria plants and feed them good quality hay
  • Mechanical removal of crotolaria plants and weeds

Treatment
  • Contact the veterinarian immediately.
  • Intravenous fluids to support circulation and protect the kidneys and other organs.
  • Laxatives can be given to avoid absorbtion of toxins.





Friday 3 July 2015

Snake bites in Horses

once warm weather started there is increases chances of horses to be bitten by snakes.The most dangerous snakes to a horse is rattle snakes.
Usually horses got bitten on the nose, head or neck.
The major venomous snakes in United States are pit vipers.
  • Rattle snakes
  • Water moccasins
  • copper heads
Most venom contains neurotoxins and haemotoxins.

Symptoms
  • Pain and swelling at the bite site
  • Swelling at the bite area
  • Tremors
  • Paralysis
  • Shock
  • Collapse
  • Depressed
  • weak
  • Death
  • Excessive sweating
  • Excessive salivation
What is the actions have to be taken?
  • Call the veterinarian immediately
  • Stay calm so that horse should not fear.
  • Do not move the horse because the movement increases the absorption of venom's quickly.
  • Tourniquet can be applied above the bite area.
  • Avoid cutting the snake bite wounds
  • Avoid applying ice
Treatment
  • Fluid therapy can be given.
  • Antibiotics can be given to control secondary bacterial infections.
  • Corticosteroids can be given to reduce muscle damage.
  • NSAIDS can be given to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Antivenin can be given to neutralize the venom.