Category Archives: Horses

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Protect your horses from equine influenza

Equine influenza, also known as equine flu, is a widespread viral infection in horses. The UK has experienced several outbreaks in the past decade, requiring strict quarantines to resolve, which means economic losses for horse owners who cannot participate in events or competitions.

While it is rarely fatal, it spreads rapidly, may increase the chances of your horses developing complicated pneumonia, and animals might be affected severely enough to be out of work for several weeks.

Keep reading to know more about how to help your horses avoid equine influenza.

How does the equine flu get to my yard?

The equine influenza virus is highly contagious, and it’s very easy to find its way to your horses.

It spreads via airborne droplets, just like with human flu, and when animals are infected, they must be isolated to avoid spreading it further. Shared materials like feed buckets, tack or other objects and clothes can also be contaminated, and they can be a source of infection.

Due to this, good biosecurity measures are necessary to avoid cross-contamination and to ensure that people vising your yard do not bring in the virus from other places.

Horses travelling for competitions or events are more at risk of contracting the virus due to the number of other animals around them. As clinical signs might not show up immediately after infection, they could well be shedding the virus whilst not showing any signs that they are sick.

If you think one of your horses might be infected, you must call your vet immediately so that they can do the required testing. They will then guide you on what to do to minimise the chances of transmission and to help avoid a serious outbreak that could lead to a strict lockdown.

Is it possible to help protect my horses from equine influenza?

The most common signs of equine influenza are:

  • Runny nose;
  • High temperature;
  • Cough and weakness;
  • Lack of appetite.

This disease also destroys the cells lining the throat and lungs. Because of this, infected animals can be predisposed to secondary complications such as bacterial pneumonia, which can take up to three weeks to improve.

With the potential to not only cause a lot of suffering to your horse but also to remove them from work for an extended period, prevention is critical.

As we’ve mentioned, proper biosecurity is vital to avoid bringing in the virus from elsewhere and spreading it to your horses, but quarantining new horses and vaccinating your animals is also crucial to prevent potentially serious problems with this disease.

 

Equine influenza is a highly contagious disease that quickly leads to outbreaks and might cause monetary losses due to animals that will be suspended from work, so don’t hesitate to contact your vet if you are unsure about your horses or how to improve the biosecurity and health protocols of your yard.

 

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Squamous cell carcinoma in horses

As we’ve mentioned in our previous blog post, horses are prone to several skin cancers, one of the most common being squamous cell carcinoma.

These tumours appear mainly in the skin, around the eyes, genitals and mouth due to overexposure to the sun and unfortunately they can quickly invade surrounding tissues.

Keep reading for important information about squamous cell carcinoma and how to keep your horses safe from this severe skin problem.

What is a squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of malignant skin cancer that is the second most common type of equine cancer.

While many cases do not have an apparent cause, we do know that exposure to UV rays from the sun is a significant risk factor. Due to this, horses with white coats or light hair around the eyes and mouth are at a higher risk of developing this form of cancer.

When these tumours arise, they are likely to invade the surrounding tissues and cause severe damage, which is especially important when they show up on the eyelids. Fortunately, they do not tend to spread to far away organs, but they can still be challenging to treat.

How can I help my horses?

As with all types of cancer, the sooner squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed, the better, so inspecting your horses regularly will help you spot any lesions early.

For horses at a higher risk, such as light-coloured horses or the more susceptible breeds such as Belgian, Haflingers or Holsteiners, it’s essential to:

  • Use protective eye coverings that block UV rays during the times they are out in the sun;
  • Limit their sun exposure and avoid the hours that are the most dangerous;
  • Pay close attention to any changes of colour in the skin or unexplained growths, especially on the eyelids, genitals and mouth.

Once detected, several treatment options exist, such as surgery, cryotherapy or radiation therapy.

Your vet will evaluate the type of carcinoma and its location and decide on the best course of action to ensure your horse gets an effective treatment with the least amount of side effects.

 

If you’re unsure about a lesion on your horse’s body, don’t hesitate to contact your vet! Getting a proper diagnosis as early as possible is crucial for successful treatment and remission.

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

What are sarcoids?

Horses are prone to many cancer problems with Sarcoids, also known as fibrosarcoma, accounting for 40% of all equine cancers and are the most common form of skin cancer.

Keep reading to know more about this locally invasive problem and what it means for your horse.

How can sarcoids affect my horse?

Sarcoids are growths on the skin and can take various shapes and types. While they do not spread to other organs, they invade local tissues and can cause many problems.

An infection by the bovine papilloma virus causes these tumours in susceptible horses. This means that not all horses infected with the virus will develop sarcoids, but the ones predisposed to it are likely to have these growths develop continuously.

The places they appear the most often are:

  • Head, in particular around the eyes and on the eyelids;
  • Lower abdomen;
  • Crotch area;
  • Lower limbs.

Their appearance ranges from tiny nodules to large ulcerated growths, which bleed when something presses or hits them. Because of the way this can attract flies and predispose to infections, especially in areas where the tack is touching, they can hinder your horse’s work capacity and quality of life.

Can sarcoids be treated?

You can treat Sarcoids, but each type has a specific treatment and using the wrong one can have severe consequences.

When you perform the incorrect treatment, your horse is at risk of developing even more aggressive growths, which are likely to spread faster. To avoid this, your vet will perform all of the necessary testing to find out what type of sarcoids he or she is dealing with.

There are many ways to remove sarcoids, including surgery, cryotherapy or chemotherapy, and your vet will decide on the best one depending on location and type. Unfortunately, they tend to return, even after correct treatment.

A proper diagnosis is also vital to rule out any other skin problems that can be mistaken for sarcoids, such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or mast cell tumours, to name a few. SCC is highly invasive, spreads quickly to other organs and results from overexposure to the sun.

If you want to know more about this problem, stay tuned for our next equine blog post!

When it comes to sarcoids, this progressive skin cancer needs the proper veterinary supervision and individualised treatment! As soon as you suspect your horse might be suffering from this condition, make sure to contact your vet for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Horses, The Pet Professionals

4 common health problems in horses during summer

Summer provides lots of opportunities to enjoy the warm weather with your horse, but it can also bring some health issues.

Here are some of the most common problems that horse owners might encounter this season and what to do when faced with them.

Dehydration

Dehydration can happen when a horse loses more water (for example, through sweat) than he or she takes in. This is why it’s so important to have fresh water permanently available to your horse, especially during warm days.

Signs of dehydration include:

  • Dark urine/reduced urination;
  • Lethargy;
  • Dull eyes;
  • Dry mouth and skin.

But sweat is not composed of water alone, so electrolyte supplementation may be necessary for some horses, especially if they exercise a lot.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is caused by an excessive increase in a horse’s body temperature and it can be a life-threatening condition.

It often happens when exercising in a hot environment, as it’s harder for horses to lose the excess heat, especially if they are dehydrated.

Signs include:

  • Panting;
  • Nostril flaring;
  • Increased rectal temperature;
  • Irregular heartbeat;
  • Reduced performance and delayed recovery after exercise;
  • Muscle spasms.

Keep in mind that heat exhaustion is a medical emergency! Contact your vet immediately if your horse is showing any of the signs described! Until help arrives, please move your horse to a shaded area and start to cool them by applying tepid water to their skin.

Sunburn

Sun exposure can be as damaging to horses as it is to us, with areas of pink skin and little or no hair being the most vulnerable to sunburn, such as the skin around the muzzle. Sunburnt skin typically looks red, swollen and can be painful.

You can prevent sunburn by protecting vulnerable areas of skin with sun cream or sun-blocking gear, such as a UV filtering face mask.

If your horse gets sunburnt, it’s essential to keep him or her in the shade and apply a soothing cream to the affected area to help the skin heal. Speak to your vet if the skin doesn’t improve within a few days or if you’re concerned about the severity of the burn.

Sweet itch

The saliva of the midge (Culicoides) and the black fly (Simulium) can cause an allergic reaction in some horses, resulting in a condition known as sweet itch (or Equine Insect Bite Hypersensitivity).

This illness usually affects the base of the mane, base of the tail and the face, but also the back, belly and rump. Signs include:

  • Intense itchiness that can lead the horse to scratch on posts and trees;
  • Tail swishing to keep the flies away;
  • Excessive grooming from other horses;
  • Scratching that can result in hair loss as well as skin inflammation, potentially leading to infection and thickening of the skin;
  • Lethargy or becoming agitated/restless.

Regarding prevention, keeping your horses inside during the day and out at night and using fly sheets plus face masks can reduce the exposure to midges. Many fly repellents can be used to deter flies from biting, and removing droppings frequently from the stable will help avoid attracting flies.

Though horses often find the hot weather uncomfortable, there is plenty we can do to reduce the risk of these heat-related problems. Don’t hesitate to contact your vet if you’re struggling to keep your animals safe this summer.

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Protect your horses from strangles

Strangles is a highly infectious equine disease caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi equi that causes severe abscesses in the neck area, high fever and nasal discharges.

This illness can quickly spread throughout your herd, and proper sanitary measures are required to make sure that it is contained and handled safely to avoid infection, as well as making sure that there are no carrier animals to cause recurrent outbreaks.

Read on to get to know this important herd disease and how to best manage the risk of infection.

What signs should I look out for?

Strangles can present initially with a high fever after an incubation period of three to 14 days. As it progresses, you’re likely to notice:

  • Nasal discharge with pus;
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck area that can hinder eating and cause a lot of discomfort;
  • Lethargy and depression;
  • Head and neck extension to relieve discomfort.

Fortunately, most horses will recover in around six weeks without any further complications and mortality is low. Most fatal cases are due to abscesses spreading to several organs in the body, including the brain or because of a severe vascular problem called purpura haemorrhagica.

While this infection has a low mortality rate, it has a high infection rate, and 10% of horses will remain carriers without any symptoms. This means that they are likely to shed the bacteria periodically, reinfecting the rest of the herd.

How can I treat strangles in my yard?

Treatment for strangles is mainly supportive, and it involves providing the best conditions for the abscesses to mature and clear while reducing fever and discomfort.

Antibiotic use is reserved for particular situations, such as when the horse is not eating or can’t breathe very well. This is because antibiotics might slow down the maturation of abscesses and, therefore, hinder the healing process.

What about prevention?

A vaccine can aid in prevention in the case of at-risk horses, but it must be used in conjunction with the correct biosecurity protocols.

Preventing strangles from getting to your herd in the first place is the most important part. As it is highly contagious, it’s easily spread from horse to horse, and it can also be transmitted through the environment due to shared equipment.

When you discover one of your horses has been infected, it’s vital to take the proper steps to contain it. Your vet will guide you on what specific protocols to implement but in general, isolating the affected horse and closing down any movements of animals in your yard (even if they appear to be healthy) are two of the most critical steps.

As strangles causes major economic and organisational problems due to the need to isolate animals and restrict movements into and out of the yard, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you are concerned your horses may have been in contact with infected animals.

 

Strangles is an endemic disease in the UK and it requires active biosecurity and good husbandry to prevent outbreaks from spreading.

If you spot any of the signs mentioned before, contact your vet as soon as possible to avoid spreading this infection and reduce the risk of severe complications!

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Can my horse have Equine Herpes Virus?

Dangerous airborne viruses that can cause respiratory and neurological diseases are not just for humans. Equine herpes virus (EHV-1 and EHV-4) is a virus that has a worldwide distribution and is highly contagious, which means that your horses are at risk of being affected, especially if they travel extensively.

Keep reading to learn more about how to keep your horses healthy.

Signs

There are five different variants of EHV, but EHV-1 and EHV-4 are the most common and clinically significant variants. They might cause respiratory, neurological or reproductive signs.

Respiratory:

  • Fever;
  • Coughing;
  • Lack of appetite;
  • Runny nose.

Neurological:

  • Uncoordinated walking;
  • Loss of bladder function and skin;
  • Paralysis of the limbs ranging from mild to total walking and standing incapacity.

Reproductive:

  • Sudden abortion occurring 2 to 12 weeks after infection;
  • Several mares may abort at the same time;
  • Newborn foals may die soon after birth.

Many animals are also asymptomatic, and they can carry the disease for years and years, shedding the virus intermittently when they are subjected to stressful situations such as during travel or when changing stables.

EHV usually only causes mild respiratory signs, and most animals are expected to recover without issue. However, when there is neurological involvement, these cases might be fatal or require euthanasia due to welfare concerns as animals can be permanently paralysed.

Prevention

There is no specific treatment for EHV, meaning there are only supportive therapy options if your horse gets sick. Preventing your horses from becoming infected is the best way to avoid any issues, especially in young animals or pregnant mares who are the most susceptible to problems.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent EHV, but it is just a part of a sturdy prevention program against this disease. Good biosecurity and hygiene protocols are also crucial to avoid infection as the vaccine is highly effective, yet it doesn’t confer total protection.

Biosecurity protocols often include thorough disinfection of stables, equipment and vehicles where horses have been transported.

Pregnant mares should also be kept separate from the rest of the herd and in small groups of other animals with similar due dates. If you notice one of your mares has aborted, mention it to your vet at once and handle aborted tissues carefully as they can contain high quantities of EHV.

Each situation is unique and the protocols you will need to implement can vary significantly over time so make sure to always discuss any concerns you might have with your veterinarian and keep vaccinations up to date as well as observe all recommended biosecurity measures.

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Avoid Equine Metabolic Syndrome during winter


Winter is a difficult time for all of us, horses included! Keeping up with exercise when the weather is dreadful can be a chore, but it’s vital for our equine friends’ health.

With reduced exercise and increased confinement to smaller spaces, your horses have a risk of weight increase and even obesity. Due to genetic predisposition, some animals might be at higher risk of obesity, and they will require specific dietary and exercise management.

One of the biggest concerns with obesity in horses is the development of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), as it causes insulin resistance, creating a host of problems later on, including recurrent laminitis and infertility.

 

Signs that your horse might be suffering from EMS

While there are no signs that are specific to EMS, there are several things that are suggestive that there may be a problem with your animals:

  • Obesity and difficulty losing weight;
  • Recurrent laminitis, especially later in the spring;
  • Uneven distribution of fat (rump, neck and base of tail), even though overall weight might be normal;
  • Infertility in mares.

Other diseases might have similar signs to these, so it’s vital that you speak to your vet if you notice anything that concerns you. Diagnosing and managing EMS as soon as possible increases the chances of avoiding permanent damage to the hooves and fertility levels!

 

Managing your horses’ weight during winter

Laminitis during EMS happens in response to access to feeds or pastures high in soluble carbohydrates, which means that this problem can go undetected until spring when horses go back outside. As they graze on the recently grown pasture, the insulin dysregulation caused by the ingestion of these carbohydrates triggers painful laminitis.

To help avoid this problem, managing exercise and calorie intake will reduce the chances of insulin resistance and weight increase, both important risk factors for EMS.

Keep up exercise routines even during bad weather

Horses are hardy animals, who mind the cold and rain much less than their human friends! Decreased exercise without any balancing of their diet or without finding other ways to keep them active is a recipe for disaster.

As horses who are predisposed to EMS are also predisposed to obesity, making sure they don’t gain excessive weight during winter is much easier than reducing their body condition score later.

Evaluate the composition and quantity of their feed

It’s a great time to take a look at your horses’ calorie intake as well as the composition of their diet. An overabundance of soluble carbohydrates in an unbalanced diet will cause serious problems, so don’t hesitate to ask your vet for help in determining the dietary management of your horse so that he or she can ingest the proper nutrients and calories for their metabolic needs.

 

EMS is a complicated problem for any owner, especially after it has evolved to limiting or even debilitating laminitis. However, it can be treated and managed with a proper exercise regimen, dietary adjustments and medical treatments if necessary.

Speak to your vet and he or she will work with you to find the best treatment plan for you and your horses.

 

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Cats, Dogs, Horses, The Pet Professionals

Benefits of pet ownership

With 2021 coming to an end, we would like to invite you to take a moment to reflect on how important your pets have been in your life this year.
They can really be our lifeline sometimes, providing us with moments of comfort, greeting us with contagious joy and making sure that we are never alone.
We are sure that you are aware that having pets can be tremendously beneficial to our health and wellbeing?

Physical health benefits

Research suggests that owning a pet can help reduce cardiovascular problems and cortisol (also known as the stress hormone) levels, and even boost your natural immunity!
Pets also help us keep an active lifestyle, be it by encouraging us to engage in playful activities with them or by making us take exercise whilst taking them out for walks.

Mental health benefits

Pets are creatures of habit, and so are we. Owning a pet is a big commitment and responsibility, making it more likely that we will follow a set routine, which can be extremely beneficial to our mental health.
By providing us with companionship, unconditional love and by having such a joyful demeanour, they can be a lifeline for those who struggle with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
They can even help combat loneliness by being an ice breaker, helping start conversations that would otherwise not take place.

Having a pet is, indeed, one of life’s most incredible experiences. From the moment they set foot inside our homes, they become a part of our family, and we couldn’t be more grateful for having such loyal companions in our lives.
But if for any reason pet ownership is not an option for you, there are several activities that you can do with animals, such as volunteering at a kennel, or horse riding, for example, that still allow you to benefit from the human-animal connection.

Horses, The Pet Professionals

How to recognise digestive problems in horses

Digestion is a vital physiologic process, as it allows the nutrients in food to become available and be absorbed into the bloodstream, thus fuelling a horse’s body.

As large, herbivorous animals, horses have a complex yet delicate digestive system, and any disturbances to their digestion can lead to health complications. 

There are several digestive problems that can affect horses, and in this article we will run through how to recognise them.

 

  • Colic

Colic is a broad term used to refer to abdominal discomfort in horses, which can be caused by a number of conditions, from a simple change in a horse’s routine to more severe problems, such as an intestinal torsion (which often requires surgical management), for example.

With the potential to be a life-threatening condition, colic is one of horse owners’ worst nightmares.

Prompt veterinary treatment in these cases is very important, so if you recognise any sign of abdominal discomfort in your horse, don’t hesitate to contact your vet. 

Signs of abdominal pain include:

  • Rolling 
  • Stretching
  • Pawing with a forelimb
  • Withdrawn behaviour and unwillingness to move
  • Restlessness 
  • Decreased appetite
  • Abnormal stance, shifting of weight or spending more time lying down
  • Looking at the flank
  • Altered faecal consistency or quantity

Some horses are more stoic than others and have a higher tolerance to pain. In these animals, it can be challenging to recognise that they are unwell, and owners should be suspicious if they detect any unusual behaviour or change in their horse’s demeanour.

 

  • Diarrhoea 

Just like colic, diarrhoea is a manifestation of an underlying gastrointestinal problem and, depending on what’s causing it, its severity will vary.

Common causes for diarrhoea include stress, infection, inflammation, parasites and the use of certain medications.

Having loose stools for a couple of days due to a change in their feed, for example, is not likely to have a significant impact on your horses’ health. However, prolonged cases of diarrhoea will lead to dehydration, nutrient malabsorption and disruption of the delicate balance of the gut environment, so don’t take diarrhoea lightly. 

 

Though diarrhoea and colic are the most noticeable signs of digestive problems, there are many other signs that you should be aware of and learn how to recognise. These signs may indicate gastrointestinal or other health issues. Do look out for:

  • Weight loss

Weight loss is usually suggestive of an insidious problem. It can be hard to spot if you’re not used to assessing your horse’s body condition score. Keeping such a record is very important given that it can help you detect subtle weight variations that may be related to health problems and also alert you to obesity and associated complications.

  • Altered appetite

Pain is often the cause of poor appetite in horses, but it doesn’t always stem from a digestive problem. Musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoarthritis, for example, can be extremely painful and lead to decreased appetite as well. 

  • Constipation 

Dental issues, parasites, dehydration, and even stress can lead to constipation in horses. Passing faces is very important for the good functioning of the whole digestive tract, so make sure that your horse is defaecating regularly to avoid complications.

  • Poor performance

Any health condition can lead to poor performance, and this is not exclusive to gastrointestinal issues. If you notice that your horse has been ‘off’ lately, do not undervalue this, as your horse may be suffering in silence.

 

As you may have realised, signs of digestive problems don’t usually manifest alone. And as there is no one sign that is specific to one problem, veterinary assessment is critical to try and determine the cause and initiate appropriate treatment.

If you recognise any of these signs, don’t hesitate to contact your vet!

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Mud fever – an autumn worry

Mud fever can be a challenging problem for horse owners during the wetter months of autumn and winter, requiring careful management of both the horses affected as well as their paddocks and fields.

This illness is caused by a bacterial infection affecting the lower portion of the leg due to muddy and wet conditions. During the relentlessly rainy days of the season, horses might find themselves spending a lot of time in waterlogged, muddy fields. The moisture, combined with the abrasive properties of the mud, can create a pathway for bacteria to invade the tissues in the pastern or fetlock.

 

How do I know if my horse has mud fever?

If you spot any of these, it’s a sure sign something is wrong:

  • Red and hot skin;
  • Itching and discomfort affecting the horse’s legs;
  • Scabs in the skin of the pastern or fetlock;
  • Yellow or white discharge around the scabs;
  • If severe enough, swelling and limping;

Give your vet a call without delay! The sooner your horse has a proper diagnosis, the easier it will be to resolve this issue and avoid harsher problems.

 

What do I have to keep an eye out for?

Inspecting your animal’s hooves frequently is the best way to detect problems early, and prevention is much easier than treatment. If the weather is rainy and there have been long periods of muddy paddocks, it is vital to check on them daily.

Some horses, such as animals with chronic diseases, wounds in the legs, or thinner skin, are more susceptible to developing mud fever, so they require an extra careful inspection to avoid complications.

 

Is it possible to treat it?

Treatment is possible, and your vet will work with you to ensure you have a tailored plan for your animals and your premises.

The goal is not just to clear the infection and get your horses back to form but also to prevent mud fever from happening again. This is why your vet is likely to suggest changes in how your fields are organised and where your horses spend their time, as this will play a large part in helping to prevent this disease.

 

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