Most common diseases in horses

Horse colic

Already addressing the corresponding article on the most common diseases in horses, colic is a set of diseases that lead to spasmodic pain in the abdomen .Remember that it may be due to multiple causes, and therefore its treatment is different depending on what it obeys, but in general the signs that we will find in a horse suffering from colic will be:

• Sweating
• Nerviosismo
• Uncontrolled movements, even self-harm: hitting the flanks with the hind legs...
• The animal can roll over itself to relieve pain, what can aggravate the picture
• Dehydration
• Constipation/diarrhea
• Anti-algae postures to avoid pain: seated animal if it is a colic whose origin is in a dilation of stomach by cumulus of gases.

Although with the colic term we include too many pathologies to be able to generalize (since it impacts cion of the large intestine for not being able to eliminate fecal matter, even the presence of foreign bodies in the intestine), there are certain guidelines that can prevent its appearance, whatever the reason for its presentation.For more information, do not miss the article on types of equine colic.

What are these guidelines?

• Feed the horse little by little over 16 hours.It is the time they spend grazing these herbivores in the wild.A horse that remains in a box and is fed tomorrow and night has a good chance of suffering digestive disorders.
• Use quality forages , avoiding excess straw, and allowing frequent and spaced access to water.Do not abuse feed and granules.
• Allow the horse to perform gentle daily exercise , several Sometimes, to favor intestinal transit.
• Install the feeders in an elevated place if the horses are e They are still confined.
• Offer distractions to avoid aerophagia (swallow air), common in boring horses.In this case we can also see animals with the so-called "bear evil", rocking constant, and the "shot", wear the teeth against walls or doors.

Treatment

Given the variety of causes that can cause it, the veterinarian will focus on the Specific problem once detected, but to locate it will proceed to:

• Relieve pain with spasmolytics (Buscapine) and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as flunixin meglumine).
• Rehydrate and/or lubricate the gastrointestinal transit with paraffin.You may need a nasogastric tube.
• Sedar if the animal is found in the self-harm phase.
• Antibiotics may be required if the problem is a traffic stop and there is an excess of fermentation of the ingested matter, because in that case microorganisms are released into the blood that can cause infections.

Tetans on horses

It is a common disease in horses caused by Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic bacterium (works without oxygen) that lives in the soil, especially in the rich in organic matter ( manure).Horses suffer small wounds or chafing , for example, injuries caused by the heads, after stepping on a nail, etc., and through that wounds the bacteria enters the body.

After about 8 days, although it is a very variable figure, we can see the typical symptom of the disease: involuntary muscle contractions and constants, which are called tetanic for this disease.In addition, we usually find :

• Jaw trism : jaws tightly clenched, unable to open.
• Hyperextension of muscles in the legs , giving rise to a horse stabbed, without the possibility of flexing them.
• Expression called "sardonic laughter" (although it is more common in dogs): wide eyes, and retraction of the corners of the mouth.

How does this cause the bacteria C lostridium tetani ?

It produces two toxins that have the nervous system as a place of action.point of entry of the bacterium (wound) of the central nervous system (brain), the more aggressive is the presentation of this disease and less time to develop.

And does it have a cure?

If you arrive before the toxins paralyze the respiratory muscles (diaphragm/intercostals...), you will be given serum tetanic antitoxin and penicillin. supportive therapy will also be provided, that is , fluid therapy, lower the temperature, sedate if necessary, they may even need mechanical ventilation if there is respiratory paralysis.

Can horses be prevented from contracting tetanus?

Yes, by the relevant vaccination, as often as indicated by the veterinarian. No We must let our horse have wounds without disinfecting , so we will have to use hydrogen peroxide in each lesion that let's look to inactivate the responsible bacteria.

Equine influenza or flu in horses

It is the equivalent to the equine flu and it is a virus that causes high respiratory tract , but if complications arise, it can affect the low ones (lung, bronchial tubes ) even causing death.It is transmitted by air, through sneezing and nasal secretions.

In populations that have contacted him, we can see the mild presentation, with nasal secretion, cough, conjunctivitis, and possibly recovery after days.This is because if they have previously suffered from the disease, the horses have been partially immunized.However, they can get it again the following season, especially in cold months, and if the virus invades them while they are sick , poorly fed, or being too young, can have fatal consequences.

The symptoms of equine influenza that we usually find are the following:

• Thick nasal discharge
• Conjunctivitis
• Loss of appetite High and recurring fever (appears and disappears)

If it is not treated in time, it can lead to:

• Pneumonia
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Bronchitis
• Even death in case of major complications added to the mentioned factors

Treatment

If the animal is partially immunized, and the form of presentation is mild, the veterinarian can simply prescribe a mucolytic to fluidize the mucus, bromhexine type and keep the horse protected and away from other relatives a few days.Also, a quality food to boost their immune system helps until the horse is able to repel viric aggression.

If the The picture is complicated, it may be necessary to use specific antibiotics of the respiratory system, and support therapies in very weakened animals.

Remember that mixing horses from different areas without knowing na Its history may lead to the appearance of an outbreak of equine influenza.If we introduce a partially immunized animal among young horses, we can have an acute outbreak complicated to stop, with high morbidity (rate of animals to get sick when contacting the virus).

Prevention

To prevent this common disease in horses, it is necessary to annual vaccination , especially before the cold season, and avoid Mix animals from different sources without knowing their status.There is a vaccine that combines protection against tetanus and influenza.

Babesiosis or piroplasmosis

This is another of the most frequent diseases in horses that also suffer from dogs, cows and other domestic animals, and is caused by a protozoan, the Babesia equi .

Babesia is transmitted by ticks , and its multiplication inside the red blood cells of the horse produces all the symptoms of the disease:

• Anemia (mucous membranes pallids, the babesias break the red blood cells)
• Fever
• Urine color conac
• Anorexia
• Prostration and sudden death in very acute cases

Can it be treated?

If we detect the presence of ticks in the horse and/or environment, and notice our strange horse, the veterinarian will surely opt for the imidocarb injection , in intramuscular single dose, although sometimes it is necessary to repeat after a few hours.

Ideally, blood babesia is detected by a blood smear, but not always It is possible in the field, since this product can save your life, without losing key hours.

Can we avoid babesiosis?

The only way to predict this pathology is Prevent the horse from having ticks , which is very complicated.We can apply products weekly on the horse to prevent the ticks (permethrin type) from climbing on it, but they do not last long.

The area where the horse lives (the box) must be disinfected weekly as well, and if the animal is free in the field, it should be avoided that it remains in areas of ferns and wetlands, which is almost impossible.There are more problematic areas with babesia (areas humid and mild temperatures, for example, northern Spain), but it is not exclusive to these places it is, far from it: it has a worldwide distribution, and causes numerous annual casualties in the equine population.

This article is merely informative, at ExpertAnimal.com we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that he presents any type of condition or discomfort.

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