12/04/2023
December: Horse/Christmas Trivia
WMVS Equine
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WMVS Equine is a page dedicated to horses and horse owners. Here you will find educational posts.
11/28/2023
West Nile virus is a virus transmitted to horses via mosquitos. It is not contagious horse to horse, or horse to human. Infected horses will display neurological symptoms such as muscle trembling, incoordination, and general weakness. Mild cases have a good prognosis with treatment, but severe cases often result in death. West Nile virus can be prevented with a yearly vaccine that is 99% effective. The Core vaccine also prevents EEE and WEE (Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis) and Rabies which are other mosquito borne diseases that cause brain swelling and severe neurological symptoms.
11/21/2023
The condition referred to as “Wobblers” syndrome is Cervical Vertebral Compressive Myelopathy. It is a developmental disorder, typically occurring in very young horses, in which the vertebrae do not form correctly and begin to compress the spinal cord. This leads to interruption in nerve communication with the brain, and symptoms are typically seen in the hind legs. Horses become ataxic and eventually may have weight loss and further weakness. These symptoms may have several causes, so radiographs and sometimes a myelogram will be necessary to diagnose Wobblers. Treatment and prognosis for Wobblers vary based on age of the horse and severity of the condition. Certain medications and surgeries may be options.
11/14/2023
The neurological condition referred to as “sidewinding” is not something fully understood. It is characterized by a horse’s hind end drifting or leaning to one side as it walks and is typically seen in older horses. Some horses with severe cases will circle or spin. These horses may also have difficulty holding their feet up for the farrier, and laying down and getting back up. The root cause can be neurological, musculoskeletal, or a combination. Some causes can be treated and can improve symptoms, and some horses can continue to live comfortably with the condition.
11/08/2023
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious neurological disease caused by a parasite found in opossum f***s. Approximately 50% of all horses in the United States have been exposed to the organism that causes EPM, but only 1% of those exposed develop the disease. Once ingested, the parasite enters the bloodstream and begins to attack the central nervous system. Symptoms can include: ataxia, incoordination, weakness, abnormal gait, muscle atrophy, paralysis of muscles of the face, eyes, or mouth, head tilt, seizure, or collapse. Testing for EPM can be done using a blood sample or a spinal fluid sample, however the blood test can be inconclusive. A spinal tap can be done at the clinic and will yield more definitive results. Treatment for EPM is costly and may take 3-6 months for results. Some horses see significant improvement or reversal of symptoms, but not all respond to treatment.
11/08/2023
November: Neurological Disorders
11/03/2023
Don’t forget about our Mythbuster/Trivia Night next Wednesday! There are still open slots if you haven’t RSVPd yet. We can’t wait to enjoy a night of food, fun, and horse knowledge with you!
10/31/2023
If your horse has undergone some extreme trauma to the eye, a corneal ulcer has ruptured the eye, or if equine recurrent uveitis has reached a point where medication is no longer providing pain relief, it may be time to consider enucleation. This procedure removes the eye and its surrounding structures. It can be done in the clinic and can be done standing. The idea of your horse having one eye can be scary, but many horses do very well with one eye and can even continue to perform.
10/24/2023
Back in the 1600s, horse owners were noticing eye issues in their horses that would come and go. At the time they believed these were related to the phases of the moon and that the issues were causing temporary blindness, and so coined the term “moon blindness.” Neither of these assumptions turned out to be true. The condition is now referred to as Equine Recurrent Uveitis and is the leading cause of vision loss in horses. The disease is due to the horse’s immune system attacking its own eye tissues, but the cause of this is still unknown. Certain breeds such as Appaloosas are at a higher risk for developing ERU due to genetic factors. Horses that have a single episode of uveitis will not necessarily develop recurrent uveitis, but they are at risk. Current treatments of ERU can help reduce inflammation and pain, but there is no cure.
10/17/2023
The most common cancer to affect the eyes or eyelids in horses is called squamous cell carcinoma. Haflingers and Belgians are genetically predisposed to this condition, and horses with white or pink eyelids are also at greater risk. The tumors can grow in various locations on and around the eye including the eyelid, third eyelid, cornea, or conjuctiva. The carcinomas start as small red areas that may look like a lesion or scab. There may also be some yellow discharge. Depending on size and location, surgery may be an option.
10/10/2023
Cataracts are an opacity of the lens and appear cloudy or hazy. They do impair vision, but most are small enough that the horse can easily see around them. Cataracts can occur for various reasons including a secondary effect of a disease or trauma to the eye. Cataracts can worsen over time and should be monitored by your vet at yearly check-ups.
10/03/2023
Did you know horses have the largest eyes of any land mammal? Any eye issue including squinting, tearing, discharge, redness, swelling, trauma, or haziness should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If your horse has a corneal ulcer, it can rupture the eye quickly if not treated. To determine if your horse has an eye ulcer, the vet will administer some fluorescent green dye into the eye and observe for uptake. Treatments often require multiple applications of one or more medications in the eye daily. With aggressive treatment, many eye conditions can make a full recovery.
10/03/2023
October: Eyes
09/26/2023
If you own a gray horse, you’ve probably come across growths on the base of the tail, around the mouth, or elsewhere. They can be raised or flat and are usually dark in color. These growths are likely skin tumors called melanomas. In humans, melanoma is a malignant form of cancer, but in horses the tumors can be either benign or malignant. Melanomas can start developing as early as 3 or 4 years old, and typically increase in size and number as the horse ages. Most melanomas in gray horses are benign and will never cause an issue. Surgical removal can be an option, but growths will likely continue to develop regardless. Discuss any growths you find with your vet as there are several different types of tumors horses can develop other than melanomas.
09/22/2023
Mark your calendars and don't forget to RSVP!
09/19/2023
The condition commonly referred to as “scratches” is known as pastern dermatitis. Your horse may display red skin patches, possibly crusty and oozing, as well as inflammation in the pastern area. The condition may cause lameness in some cases. It can occur in any horse but tends to especially affect draft breeds with heavy feathering. Scratches can be caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or allergies, all of which are exacerbated by extended periods of time in wet pastures or wet stall bedding. Your vet can perform tests such as cultures, biopsies, or skin scrapings to determine the cause and best plan for treatment. In all cases, clipping and cleaning the area will be beneficial as excess hair traps moisture. Your vet may recommend a medicated shampoo or topical treatment for the area. To prevent further infections, avoid turn out in especially wet, muddy conditions and keep stalls as dry as possible.
09/13/2023
The condition commonly referred to as “rain rot” is a bacterial infection known as dermatophilosis. The bacteria lives on your horse’s skin in a dormant state until affected by conditions like rain, humidity, and increased insect exposure. The infection causes lesions or scabs typically along the topline but can also be various places on the body, face, and/or legs. These scabs contain clusters of hair and cause bald patches when removed. If not treated, the infection can start to affect multiple layers of skin as well. Rain rot can be treated by clipping the affected areas, bathing with a medicated shampoo, and gentle brushing to remove the scabs. Regular bathing and grooming can help prevent future infections. Make sure your horses have a shelter and/or a rain sheet for poor weather conditions.
09/12/2023
September: Skin Issues
08/30/2023
Unfortunately there are some types of colic, such as colon displacements or strangulating tumors, that cannot be prevented even with the best possible husbandry. However, there are some things you can do to help prevent other types of colic including sand, gas, and impactions. An appropriate diet that includes at least 1% of their body weight in forage and does not include excessive carbohydrates is ideal for reducing gas. Avoid sudden changes to their diet and instead wean them on gradually. Regular dental exams and care can help prevent impactions due to inadequately chewed up feed. If your horses live in a sandy area, put rubber mats down under hay/grain feeding areas and keep horses from over grazing pastures to prevent sand ingestion.
08/25/2023
When your patient is 27in tall and 28 years old - you get flexible. WMVS doctors are dedicated to patients of all sizes! Dental care is important at all ages and especially into the senior years.
08/22/2023
If you are noticing abnormal symptoms in your horse, start keeping track of the issues and times. If you have multiple horses, it’s helpful to move the abnormal horse by itself so you can be sure of food and water intake and manure production. Take your horse’s temperature and other vital signs (refer to January Week 1 Vital Signs post) if possible. If your horse seems painful and/or the vital signs are abnormal, call the vet for best instructions on what to do immediately. Typically hand walking can help with pain and gut motility and a dose of banamine can help with pain and inflammation, but every situation is different.
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100 N. 68th Avenue
Coopersville, MI
49404
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