Shivering in horses

Shivering is a chronic neuromuscular diseases of unknown origin.It usually affects heavy breeds.
Shivering usually affects hind limbs.

Causes

Hereditary
Neural lesions left from cases of influenza, strangles or systemic infections.

SIGNS

• Muscles of hind limbs suddenly jerk,flex and pull in toward the abdomen.
• Tail rise in spasmodic jerks
• Occasionally raise of one hind limbs and keep elevated.
• In Forward movement the condition looks like stringhalt.
• Side moves are often awkward.
• Affected head and neck muscles contract spasmodically.

Treatments
There is no treatments for shivers
Supplements such as Vitamin E and Selenium should be provided.

Reference
Horseman s veterinary encylopaedia by Cheryl Rogers and G.Jeanne wilcox

Equine grass sickness

The disease is displayed as impaired activity in the gut due to nervous system damage . Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a weakening and often fatal disease in horses, ponies and donkeys,


Signs of Grass Sickness
Acute (AGS),
Subacute (SAGS) and
Chronic (CGS)


Signs

• Depression
  
• Absence of gut sounds (ileus)
  
• High heart rate (tachycardia)
  
• Salivation
  
• Discharge from the nose (naso-gastric reflux - above right)
  
• Muscle tremors (fasciculation)
  
• Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
  
• Patchy or generalised sweating
  
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  
• Abdominal discomfort (colic - above left and immediate right)
  
• Constipation (impaction)
  

Causes
Clostridium botulinum (type C), which produces toxin in the horse’s gastrointestinal tract (digestive system) causes damage to the nervous system, interrupting the normal gut movements and stopping digestion proceeding.


Prevention

• Avoiding grazing previously affected fields
  
• Avoiding feed changes
  
• Reducing horse movements between premises/ pastures
  
• Avoiding pasture disturbance

For more information

http://www.pcuk.org/uploads/training/Grass%20Sickness%20Sheet.pdf

Hoof supplements

Essential hoof supplements for horses

Biotin is a B vitamin that helps jump start keratin production in the hoof.
Biotin occurs naturally in many feedstuffs commonly fed to horses such as oats, soybean meal, alfalfa, rice bran, and molasses.
This helps strengthen and improve the periople, hoof wall, sole, frog and white line.
Methionine is an amino acid and a source of sulfur that is an important building block of healthy connective tissues such as collagen and keratin. Plus it helps support biotin for maximum effectiveness.
Zinc is a mineral that helps prevent the destruction of keratin. It also produces the proteins found in skin and hair.

Zinc, in general, is involved with growth rates and healing. Zinc deficiencies retard the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein, which are necessary for proper hoof condition and repair. Zinc deficiencies also impair cellular division and growth and repair of connective tissue.
Copper, manganese and calcium are all nutrients that help form a strong, healthy horn.
Lysine is an amino acid which helps maintain proper moisture and pliability of the hoof.
Of all the building blocks for protein, lysine is most often the key to improving protein availability, especially in grass hay based diets.

Hyperhidrosis in Horses

Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating may be localized or generalized over the neck ,base of ears,around nostrils and thighs.

hyperhidrosis—can result in substantial individual suffering

Causes

• High temperature
• Infections
• Administration of drugs
• Excessive muscular exertion
• Pain
• Hyperadrenocorticalism
• Temperament

Reference

The Equine Manual by Andrew J Higgins and Jack R.Synder

Cushing's diseases

Cushing's syndrome is due to excessive secretion of ACTH arising from adenoma of pars intermedia of pituitary gland.

Signs

• Hirsutism excessive long ,dense and often curly hair coat.
• Hyperhidrosis
• Excessive sweating
• Infertility
• Delayed wound healing
• Muscle wasting
• Pot bellied appearance
• laminitis
• chronic infections
• polydipsia
• polyuria
• Diabetis mellitius
• neurological signs

Diagnosis

Measurement of plasma ACTH may be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatments

Supplements 

Antioxidants should be provided to improve immunity and antistress effect.

Aminoacids such as lysin,methionin helps in muscle wasting conditions.

Omega 3 fattyacids helps in improve the immunity and acts as anti inflammatory

Supportive therapy such as treating respiratory or skin infections.

Maintain high plane of nutrition.
Hoof care for laminitis.

Clipping to remove long hair.

References
The Equine Manual by AndrewJ.Higgins and Jack R.Snyder

Cataract in horses

A cataract is defined as the opacity of the lens.

Signs

• Cloudiness
• unable to see from the affected eyes leads to fear and sudden jumping.
• Stumbling
• Sudden shying
• Increased anxiety

Causes

• congenital Injury 
• Moon blindness
• Old age cataracts
• Infections
• Inherited developmental cataracts

Treatments

Surgery is the only treatment

surgery should be performed when the foal is of few months of age.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is defined as inflammation of conjunctiva.
It may be due to bacteria,virus or parasitic infections.
conjunctiva becomes injected.

Signs

• Mucopurulent discharge from conjunctiva.
• lacrimation from one or both eyes noticed.

Treatment

• The eye ointment should be applied.
• Normal saline can be used for flushing of purulent discharge from eyes.
• Antibiotics is required for bacterial infections. 

Joint supplements for horses

The main ingredients in joint supplements—glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid—help build, repair and protect joint tissue and fluid.

Glucosamine is the building block of chondroitin sulfate, a specific type of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG).

Cartilage is a natural shock absorber in equine joints which prevents their bones from rubbing together

Glucosamine and chondroitin are naturally occurring chemicals found inside the horses body which assist in the production of cartilage

Glucosamine HCl will increase the Hyaluronate content in the joint. Hyaluronate is a fundamental component of synovial fluid the joint lubricant.

Glucosamine has also been shown to inhibit the enzymes that break down cartilage.

This small but complex sugar molecule has an important role in both the production and protection of joints.

Chondroitin sulfate is synthesized by chondrocytes, the living cells inside cartilage.

Chondroitin sulfate, a sulfated glycosaminoglycan naturally found as a part of a proteoglycan (aggrecan), is a crucial constituent of connective tissue and cartilage, where it provides structure, resistance and holds water and nutrients

Chondroitin sulfate is a main component of the extracellular matrix and the highly charged sulfate groups, which are tightly packed, provide the compression resistance that is important for proper cartilage function.

Hyaluronic acid is a nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) that is synthesized in two places: by the chondrocyte cells in cartilage and by the synoviocyte cells in the joint lining. 
It is normal constituents of connective tissue matrix and synovial fluid.It accounts for high viscosity of synovial fluid.

It is an integral component of both joint cartilage and joint fluid, providing lubrication between surfaces. 
In joint injury the viscosity of joints decreases due to leakage of synovial fluids.

Some joint supplements include other ingredients, known as co-factors, such as:

MSM—source of organic sulfur to help form the cartilage matrix, also has anti-inflammatory properties
Vitamin C—required for collagen formation, also has anti-oxidant properties
Manganese, copper and zinc—needed for the synthesis of GAGs and collagen

Pyoderma

•  It is an infection characterized by the formation of pus. Acne is actually an inflammation of the hair follicles. 
• The cause of the disease is listed as being pyogenic (pus forming) organisms that have gained access to the hair follicles. 
• It will be seen most frequently in parts of the body exposed to friction from saddle or harness. It can also be transmitted via biting flies.
• An afflicted animal will show signs of tenderness when the affected body part is touched. When mature, a yellow point appears at the affected spot. Shortly thereafter it will rupture, eliminating pus. 
• When pyoderma develops, irritation of the affected area through continued saddling or harnessing should be avoided. 
• Bathing the area in warm antiseptic solutions such as hexachlorophene or providone-iodine can be helpful. 
• Antibiotics is recommended for severe infections.

VITAMIN E Requirement for horses

• Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin which has a role in many physiological activities including, reproduction, immune response and nerve and muscle function.
• Vitamin E interrupts the production of free radicals at an early stage of oxidation and before damage occurs.
• Vitamin E is an important nutrient in preventing such damage which can lead to muscle stiffness and soreness with a resultant decrease in performance.
• Horses grazing fresh green pasture for long periods are unlikely to be vitamin E deficient
• A minimum of 1-1.5mg or iu of vitamin E per kg of body weight is required for maintenance of non working productive horses.
• Horses receiving vitamin E alone or selenium and vitamin E show improved immune response,
• vitamin E is important in prevention of exercise induced muscle damage it is not the only agent involved.
• For horses in heavy work these levels need to rise to at least 2mg vitamin E per kg bodyweight and possibly 4mg during prolonged and vigorous exercise such as endurance and distance racing.

For more information

http://vitecnutrition.co.nz/images/File/Vit%20E%20in%20horses.pdf

Requirement of Magnesium to horses

Magnesium is an important partner in the optimum utilization of calcium, but it is a limiting element world wide.


Horses that have adequate magnesium are:
• More relaxed
• Can work longer in anaerobic conditions because magnesium mobilizes the calcium in the muscles
• Less likely to tie up especially heavy muscled horses like warm blood, by better utilizing the calcium in muscles
• Less likely to get colic because magnesium is a laxative, helping stimulate hind gut motility
• Less likely to founder as magnesium helps the good-keepers be less insulin resistent.


Magnesium and tying-up

• An excess of Ca or a deficiency of Mg can both cause a temporary muscle tetany in horses called tying-up or Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolosis
  
• In horses who suffer from RER, characterized by a chronic tying-up during work sessions, supplementation with Mg will help to prevent the symptoms.
  
• Magnesium is considered to be an "anti-stress" mineral, since sufficient supplies reduce the release of stress hormones.
  
• Magnesium is also important for maintaining normal insulin sensitivity
  
  

Feeding Magnesium

• Magnesium is non-toxic and is impossible to overdose by mouth. The GI tract absorbs what it needs and the rest is dumped.
  
• Magnesium phosphate or magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) should not be used as a feed additive on a regular basis because this salt form can cause diarrhoea.
  
• The recommended dietary magnesium supply for horses is 20 mg Mg/kg of body weight per day, corresponding to a maintenance requirement of 10 g Mg/500 kg body weight.
  
• A calcium/magnesium ratio of 1.5-2.0:1 is ideal for the daily intake, with the higher value for maintenance and the lower for intense work.
  
  

For more information

http://www.plumcoullee.ca/documents/Magnesiuminhorses.pdf

Seborrhea

Seborrhea is a dermatological disease that is due to overproduction of sebum.It has been found that stimulation of sebum production occurs with increased blood supply to the skin and increased hair growth.
Seborrhea is generally a secondary disease in horses following dermatitis or eczema.


SIGNS
Excess accumulation of skin scale within the hair of the mane and tail


Clinical disorders

• Ectoparisitism (lice,mites)
• Fungal infections
• Bacterial infections
• Abnormal lipid metabolism
• Deficiency diseases(zinc)
• Autoimmune disease
• Endoparisitism(chronic Strongylosis)

CLASSIFICATION
Three types are there

• Seborrhea sicca
• seborrhea oleosa
• Seborrhea dermatitis

DIAGNOSIS
Determine the primary cause.
Any irritant or systemic disease can also cause scaling.


TREATMENT
Seborrhea is a chronic disease.
Regular bathing withAntiseborrheic shampoos .
Good nutrition and proper management also aid in controlling seborrhea


REFERENCE
Horseman Veterinary Encyclopaedia
By Cheryl Rogers and Jeanne Wilcox

Chiropractic manipulation in horses

• Chiropractic manipulation ,or adjustment , is aimed at restoring the normal allignment of the vetebrae.
• Malalignment of the small intervertebral joints causes spasm in the muscles that support and move the spine.
• It can compress the nerves as they leave the spimal cord at this location
• Chiropractic manipulation uses controlled force on the affected part of the spine in a direction that will realign the intervertebral joints.
• They suggest that the benifits of chiropractic manipulation are soley due to relief of muscle spasms.
• Serious damage to the spine can result from improper manipulation of the neck or back.
• Only reputable chiropractors with extensive equine experience and an excellent reputation should be allowed to work on a horse.
• Regular massage therapy and streching exercises may help prevent further problems in dome horses.

Reference
Lameness
Equine Research by
Christine King and Richard Mansmann