Category: Horse Care

AAEP Foundation Announces Funding of Research into Laminitis

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The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation has announced financial support for two research projects investigating support limb laminitis, in which lameness in one limb results in laminitis in the opposite limb. Subsequent separation of the coffin bone from the hoof wall causes pain and eventually displacement, either coffin bone rotation or sinking, in the foot.

AAEP members have identified laminitis as the most important equine disease requiring research. Support limb laminitis was the type of laminitis 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro succumbed to while healing from a severe fracture in a hind limb.

In one study, Hana Galantino-Homer, VMD, Ph.D., Dipl. ACT, at the University of Pennsylvania will investigate the alterations that occur in the protein structure that supports the bone to the hoof connection. Foot specimens from horses affected by support limb laminitis will be used to study how nutrient deprivation and subsequent production of abnormal proteins (keratins) affect the support structures within the hoof. The goal is to understand the process of cell pathology in the foot to better predict, diagnose and treat support limb laminitis.

The second study, led by Samantha Brooks, Ph.D., at the University of Florida, seeks to understand the response of the cells in the support structures within the hoof. By utilizing RNA sequencing, genes that respond to the abnormal support in the foot will be identified and compared to normal feet. Understanding the gene upregulation will help identify the process within the hoof that leads to support failure. The research will use real-time PCR to identify the production of inflammatory mediators and enzymes involved with the pathology.

“The generosity of many enabled us to fund these projects that will advance the knowledge and help unravel the mysteries surrounding this insidious disease,” said Jeff Berk, VMD, chairman of the AAEP Foundation Advisory Council. “We are particularly grateful to Starlight Racing partners, whose matching funds challenge in 2014 in memory of its Grade II winner Intense Holiday raised awareness and much-needed funds for the fight.”

Both studies will utilize the Laminitis Discovery Database at the University of Pennsylvania, which has specimens from horses that succumbed to support limb laminitis and from normal horses. The database includes a wealth of information about the affected horses.

For more information about the AAEP Foundation, visit http://www.aaepfoundation.org.

The AAEP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization created in 1994, serves as the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners to improve the welfare of the horse. Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed more than $3.7 million to support its mission.

How to Protect Your Horse from West Nile Virus Infection

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By Kristen Browning-Blas
Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Late summer is peak transmission season for West Nile Virus, and confirmed cases are rising among horses in many regions.
Veterinarians and public health experts urge owners to protect their horses by reducing mosquito populations and possible breeding areas. Equine veterinarians at Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital say two important methods will help protect horses against West Nile Virus infection: reduce exposure to mosquitoes and vaccinate against the virus.

Reduce exposure to mosquitoes
• When possible, stall horses during peak mosquito activity, at dawn and dusk.
• Eliminate areas of standing or stagnant water on property, dispose of discarded tires, and change birdbath water and water in tanks for horses at least weekly.
• Use fans on horses while stabled.
• Use insect repellants designed for horses. A fly sheet and fly mask will minimize your horse’s exposure to mosquitoes.
• Use incandescent bulbs around the perimeter of the stable.
• Remove any dead birds found on the property, as birds are part of the virus cycle. To pick up a bird, use rubber gloves or a plastic bag turned inside out. For information on testing of birds for West Nile Virus, contact your public health office.

Vaccinations for West Nile Virus
There are currently four licensed vaccine formulations available for use in horses based on efficacy and safety studies for protection against West Nile Virus. “West Nile is one of our core vaccines, so most people vaccinate here,” said Dr. Luke Bass, a veterinarian with CSU’s Equine Field Service. The American Association of Equine Practitioners recognizes the West Nile Virus vaccine as a core vaccination for all horses regardless of geographic location.
Though the West Nile Virus vaccine is commonly used in horses, vaccination is just one part of the preventive strategy; methods to reduce mosquito exposure should be employed at the same time. Vaccination against other causes of equine encephalitis (eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis) does not protect your horse against West Nile Virus.
The initial West Nile vaccination or booster vaccine must be given prior to exposure to the virus and your horse should be vaccinated well in advance of mosquito season. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best vaccination protocol for your horse depending on previous vaccination history and virus and mosquito activity.

Vaccinations for the pregnant mare
It is important to consult your veterinarian to determine the best method of protection against West Nile Virus for broodmares. Several of the West Nile vaccines have been given to pregnant mares without observed adverse outcomes. As a general recommendation, reproductive specialists suggest avoiding vaccines of any kind in the first 40 days of pregnancy.

Diagnosis and treatment of West Nile Virus
Clinical signs of West Nile infection include fever, incoordination, muscle twitching, head pressing, hyper-excitability, anorexia, lethargy, recumbency (lying down), and death.
Diagnosis of West Nile Virus is made by noting the clinical signs and by positive diagnostic tests on blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
Treatment is primarily supportive, with anti-inflammatory drugs and fluids. Some horses may require hospitalization and assistance with a sling in order to remain standing. Products that provide antibodies to West Nile Virus are available, and the use of these products in equine cases should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Frequently asked questions:
Should I vaccinate my horse for West Nile Virus?
Yes, work with your veterinarian to determine the optimal plan for your horse.
Can I vaccinate my mare if she is in foal?
Yes, work with your veterinarian to determine the optimal plan for your mare.
How old should a foal be to receive the vaccine?
Recent research has shown that foals 3 months of age can be safely vaccinated against West Nile, and will subsequently build an immune response. If your foals are in a high-mosquito area, you may want to vaccinate them as early as 3 months for this disease.
Can a horse infected with West Nile Virus infect horses in neighboring stalls or infect me?
No, the virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, not by contact with an ill horse.
Find current information on West Nile Virus here:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Mosquito Control Association
American Association of Equine Practitioners

Louisiana Horses in Need Following Historic Flooding

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The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation and other Louisiana veterinary organizations are seeking donations to assist with the rescue and care for horses impacted by the current flooding in Louisiana as well as for future preparedness planning and education for first responders.

To assist with immediate veterinary needs for animals, donate here to the Louisiana State University (LSU) Foundation.

To assist with the rescuing and sheltering of animals, you can donate here to the Louisiana State Animal Rescue Team, a program developed by the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association.

To assist these and other horses impacted by floods, fires, and other natural disaster through preparedness education and training, you can donate here to the AAEP Foundation’s disaster relief fund.

While certain veterinary supplies to care for animals are needed, especially horses and farm animals, cash donations are preferred.  However, if you have supplies you are willing to donate, please contact Keith Kleine at the AAEP Foundation (859) 233-0147or kkleine@aaep.org to offer your assistance.  A list of needed supplies and details can be provided to you.

The AAEP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization created in 1994, serves as the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners to improve the welfare of the horse. Since its inception, the Foundation has allocated more than $3.3 million to support its mission.

For Your Horse’s Sake: Salt Needs More Attention During Hot Months

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Make salt a higher priority than electrolytes

 

By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

 

Your horse sweats more during the summer, making electrolyte supplementation worth considering. But electrolytes alone will not protect against dehydration. Your horse needs to have enough sodium (salt). One ounce per day (two tablespoons) is adequate for maintenance during cool months, but hot, humid weather calls for at least two ounces per day, and more if your horse is in work of any kind.

One way to accomplish this: provide a plain, white salt block, Redmond salt rock, or Himalayan salt rock in close proximity. But make sure your horse licks it; many horses do not, due to tiny scratches that form on the tongue. Even better is to offer coarsely granulated salt free choice by pouring some in a small bucket. You can also add salt to each meal. Iodized table salt and Redmond and Himalayan rocks offer a small amount of iodine. Take this into consideration if your horse already receives iodine from another source. Total iodine intake should not exceed 5 mg per day.

Be aware that electrolyte supplements should be given only to a horse that is already in good sodium balance. They are designed to replace what is lost from perspiration and should contain at least 13 grams of chloride, 6 grams of sodium, and 5 grams of potassium per dose. If your horse works more than two hours at a time, provide a dose of electrolytes after exercise by adding it to a gallon of water, top-dressing a feed, or offered via syringe. And always, be sure to keep fresh, clean water nearby.

 

Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. is an independent equine nutritionist with a wide U.S. and international following. Her research-based approach optimizes equine health by aligning physiology and instincts with correct feeding and nutrition practices.

 

Dr. Getty’s comprehensive resource book, Feed Your Horse Like a Horse, is available at www.GettyEquineNutrition.com — buy it there and have it inscribed by the author, or get it at Amazon (www.Amazon.com) or other online retail bookstores. The seven separate volumes in Dr. Getty’s topic-centered “Spotlight on Equine Nutrition” series are available with special package pricing at her website, and also at Amazon in print and Kindle versions. Dr. Getty’s books make ideal gifts for equestrians.

 

Find a world of useful information for the horseperson atwww.GettyEquineNutrition.com: Sign up for Dr. Getty’s informative, free e-newsletter, Forage for Thought; browse her library of reference articles; search her nutrition forum; and purchase recordings of her educational teleseminars. Reach Dr. Getty directly atgettyequinenutrition@gmail.com. She is available for private consultations and speaking engagements.

 

Summer Horse-Care Tips from KER

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Wednesday, June 22, 2016— Summer has arrived! Temperatures are up, sweat is dripping, and insects are swarming all over. While the warm weather offers great opportunities to work with your horse, it also brings certain horse-care challenges. Consider the following summertime horse-management tips from the equine nutrition experts at Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

Heat. Temperatures are capable of soaring past 100 degrees on summer days. As the mercury creeps up, horse owners must fine-tune certain facets of management, including provision of shade and plenty of fresh drinking water. Read more to help your horse beat the heat:

·         Hot Weather Hazard for Horses

·         Checking for Dehydration in Horses

·         Summer Pasture-Associated Heaves

·         Keeping Horses Cool in Hot Weather

Sweat. Sweating is the only way horses have to dissipate body heat. Unlike dogs, horses can’t pant to cool off! Some horses even experience issues with sweating.  Learn more about your horse’s sweat:

·         Watery or Lathered: Differences in Horse Sweat

·         Anhidrosis in Horses and Electrolyte Therapy

·         Electrolytes and Performance Horses: Is a Salt Block Enough?

·         Dietary Sources of Potassium for Horses

Skin. Despite the short, tight hair coats characteristic of summertime, problems still pop up in the skin, hair, and hooves of horses. Keep an eye on coat and hoof health through daily grooming and hoof-picking. Read more to keep your horse comfortable this summer:

·         Feeding for Sound Summer Hooves

·         Hoof Rings in Horses: What Do They Mean?

·         Maintaining Coat Health of Horses: Grooming, Bathing, and Feeding

·         Skin Problems in Horses: Culicoides Hypersensitivity

·         Common Skin Problems in Horses

Foals. As foaling season comes to an end, fruits of the breeders’ labors are on full display, but foals are just as, if not more, vulnerable to health problems as their mature horses. Foal caretakers know that several once-overs a day will keep illness away. Keep your foal healthy with these tips:

·         The Young Years: Nutrition from Birth to Two Years of Age

·         Foal Diarrhea: Look to Nutritional Supplements for Help

·         Estimating a Foal’s Mature Height

·         Keep an Eye on Foal Halters

·         Foal Dribbling Urine: Patent Urachus

·         Rhodococcus equi Infection in Foals

For more seasonal tips like these, subscribe to Seasonal Spotlight, a quarterly mailing full of timely information on equine nutrition and health. Seasonal Spotlight won the Business Equine-Related eNewsletter award at the 2015 American Horse Publications (AHP) Equine Media Awards. KER also offers The Weekly Feed, a previous AHP winner delivering the most recent headlines in equine nutrition every week.