"There is not an animal on earth, nor a bird that flies on it's wings - but they are communities like you"... The Koran
HYPP (The Impressive
Gene)
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA):
Equine Infectious Anemia is a slow acting lentivirus for which there is no vaccine and no cure. Though most horses succumb rapidly to EIA a percentage of infected horses appear to recover. However they still harbor the virus and during times of stress may become ill again. It is because of these healthy appearing carriers that we test horses. It insures that we do not put their pasture mates at risk. EIA is also known as "swamp fever" because of the higher incidence on the Gulf Coast of the United States, where increased humidity and temperature are favorable for transmission of the disease and because it's often transmitted by biting insects such as flies (he horsefly is the most common) and mosquitos. EIA is transmitted primarily by bloodsucking insects. The large size and painful bites of these flies make it unlikely that a horse would permit them to complete a blood meal uninterrupted; by tail swishing or twitching, they send the biting fly on its way. This is the problem, however, because the virus is transmitted to other horses when the horsefly starts his meal on an infected horse and completes it on an uninfected one.
Anything that has the potential to transfer blood from one horse to another is an avenue for EIA, including needles, syringes or other instruments that are not disinfected after use. The safest method is to use a new needle for each horse when giving vaccines or taking blood.
Stages of EIA
In the acute or early form, the horse will be depressed, uncoordinated and feverish. Horses are rarely anemic during this stage. This phase may last several days and is the stage during which the horse is most likely to transmit the disease to nearby horses.
The second phase is characterized by weight loss, recurring fevers and general weakness. Anemia is likely to be present, and mares can abort during this stage.
The final or chronic stage: If horses survive the first two stages, they enter the final or chronic stage, where they often appear normal. An owner may report that a horse is a poor keeper, and the animal may be mildly anemic. Infected mares can transmit the disease to their foals.
A horse infected with the EIA virus will be a carrier of the disease for life. Although horses in the chronic stage appear normal, they become ill again if subjected to stress, such as shipping or severe weather.
Coggins Test:
The Coggins test checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies in the horse's blood. Blood samples must be sent to a state approved laboratory. This test is often needed to take your horse to a show and whenever you transport your horse across state lines. It is to prove to others your horse is safe to be around their horses. The only exception to this rule is unweaned foals traveling with their dams.
Some states now require a negative Coggins test on a horse before he can be sold. Before you travel check to see how recent a test is required because it differs from place to place.
Once you have a negative Coggins further testing is not required for your own peace of mind. Your horse will not become EIA positive unless he develops a serious, febrile illness after contact with a horse of unknown EIA status. You may be required to have a test done yearly to show or transport your horse, so other people will know your horse is safe.
Prevention:
The current testing program has gone a long way toward reducing this disease. Few people remember, prior to the testing in the 1970's that this disease killed many thousands of horses annually. It was originally thought that the testing program would eradicate EIA but every year there are just enough asymptomatic carriers to perpetuate the problem.
There is no vaccine for EIA. It is important that you be careful that your horse's pasture mates are as healthy appearing as your own horse. Board your horse only where a negative Coggins test is required of all horses before they come on the premises. This is your best protection.
EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis):
EPM is an infection of the central nervous system of horses caused by a protozoan organism. Common side effects of EPM are back soreness, which can be severe, lameness, weakness and spasticity, locking up of the stifle (Upward fixation of the patella), snoring, & muscle atrophy. For more information on
EPM(click) or try this web site: www.abouthorses.com
Founder/Laminitis:
Laminitis is a debilitating, painful disease that causes the delamination of the equine hoof. The sensitive tissues' underneath the hoof wall become excruciatingly painful as the layers of hoof wall, or laminae, separate. Usually the front feet are affected. The sensitive laminae are living tissues that interdigitate with the insensitive non-living tissues forming an extremely strong and durable connection between the hoof wall and the coffin bone.
When the sensitive laminae become inflamed the horse is experiences what is called laminitis. At some point a threshold is reached where the sensitive laminae can no longer continue holding on to the insensitive laminae.
Founder occurs when that bond relaxes or fails, allowing the coffin bone to sink relative to the hoof wall. The layers of the hoof begin to separate, causing severe pain to the underlying tissue.
In severe cases the bone can rotate right through the sole of the hoof and come in contact with the ground.
Numerous causes of laminitis/founder have been identified. The most common is the overconsumption of carbohydrate-rich grain or lush pasture, which causes changes in the microbial climate of the intestines, leading to the release of bacterial toxins into the bloodstream. These toxins disrupt normal blood flow to the hoof, causing laminitis.
Navicular Syndrome:
Navicular Syndrome is a type of lameness that usually occurs in middle-aged Quarter Horses and Thoroughbred males. It is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses and usually affects both forefeet, however, one foot may have more extensive damage than the other.
Preferential breeding for large body mass and small feet, contribute to navicular syndrome along with poor conformation, and poor or inappropriate shoeing practices. This can lead to a broken hoof/pastern axis, long toes, and underslung heels. All of these factors can place abnormal pressure on the navicular bone, causing inflammation, pain, and ultimately lameness.
Navicular disease often begins as an inflammation of the bursa between the deep digital flexor tendon and the navicular bone of the foot. When the foot is placed upon the ground, the weight forces the navicular bone back against the tendon. Horses with small feet have less area over which to distribute concussion and weight; therefore, more pressure is placed upon the navicular bone.
The tendon adjacent to the bursa may be progressively destroyed and may eventually rupture. This tendon is very important because it moves the toe down and back.
Lymphangitis:
Lymphangitis is a severe form of cellulitis (a noncontagious inflammation of the connective tissue of the skin, resulting from a bacterial infection). It is not that common in horses and there is some confusion about the condition and relatively little is written about it.
The condition involves inflammation of a lymphatic vessel or vessels. In the horse, this normally will occur in
the rear leg and will be manifested by swelling. Chronic lymphangitis results in permanent swelling of the affected
limb.
Proud Flesh:
Exuberant granulation tissue, or Proud Flesh is part of the normal healing process in the horse. Proud Flesh produces pebbly or granular looking tissue in healing wounds. Granulation tissue is composed of small blood vessels and fibroblasts, but has no nerve supply. Proud Flesh forms mainly in open wounds that have not been sutured. Proud Flesh is a very important and necessary part of wound healing in the horse however, there can be problems when the horse develops too much of this healing tissue.
When granulation tissue grows out or protrudes from the wound, it is known as Proud Flesh. Proud flesh can prevent skin cells from covering the wound thus thwarting proper healing.
It is very important for the healing wound to be managed properly. The granulation tissue can become so large it appears to be a tumor. Excessive exuberant granulation tissue can be formed due to excessive movement of the healing tissue, contamination of the wound, and a reduced blood supply. Any significant wound should be evaluated and treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible, especially those of lower limbs. Bandaging is very important and helps prevent bacteria from contaminating the wound.
Upward Fixation of the Patella:
The Patella is the equivalent of the kneecap. Fixation of the patella shows up as an intermittent locking of the joint. In serious cases the joint is completely locked so that the leg is extended backward and the horse drags his leg forward without being able to flex the stifle joint. Often the locking occurs briefly during motion which causes a jerking of the gait. The ligament along the inside of the leg gets caught or locked as it slides over a ridge on the end of the femur (thigh bone).
Strangles:
Strangles is a disease caused by the bacteria streptococcus equi. The name comes from the fact that it enlarges the lymph nodes between the jawbone, causing the horse to make strangled breathing sounds.
The disease begins with high fever, depression and lack of appetite. There is also a thin, watery nasal discharge that quickly turns thick and yellow.
The lymph nodes in the upper respiratory tract become enlarged, the ones between the jawbones being the most noticeable; they can abscess.
Although Strangles usually isn't fatal in horses, it can be. Horses of any age are susceptible, but those most disposed are between one and five years. Susceptible horses usually acquire the disease after being exposed to another horse that is shedding the streptococcus equi bacteria that cause the illness. Often, this is a new horse being introduced to the herd.
Although it may no longer be showing signs of the disease, infected newcomers can spread it for about a month. (Shedding the bacteria continues for up to one month after all clinical signs are gone in 20 percent of horses.)
Horse-to-horse contact is the easiest way strangles infects, but it can also be spread through contaminated equipment such as buckets, stalls and tack. Fortunately, the bacteria can't exist in the environment for long periods.
After exposure a horse will begin to show signs of the disease in two to six days. Untreated horses will develop abscessed lymph nodes which open and drain within one to two weeks after the onset of the disease. Although most horses recover, about 10 percent of untreated horses die. Death most commonly occurs due to a secondary infection causing pneumonia.
To control strangles, if the health history of any horse new to the stable is vague or unknown, it should be isolated, as much as practical, for four or five weeks.
Vaccinations are another useful control. Although current vaccines are more effective and cause less reaction than those of the past, they do not always prevent the disease. Still, the severity of the disease is lessened if the horse has received the inoculation.
One myth is that horses can get strangles from the vaccine. This cannot happen since the vaccine is made from only parts of the bacteria.
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