Lodi Veterinary Care - Equine

11/04/2024

Monday motivation!

11/02/2024

What happens and what to do when a horse goes down.
The longer a horse is down, the more likely that the possible problem the horse was experiencing that made them go down in the first place gets erased by the secondary problems the horse will have from being down for too long. These problems include myopathy (muscle damage), lameness or muscle weakness caused by nerve damage due to pressure and weight pressing on the area, poor gut motility which will likely cause colic, gas distension, urine retention, head trauma, poor blood circulation of the kidneys, urine retention, dehydration, congestion in the down lung, pneumonia, head trauma, eye trauma…. A lot of suffering. This is why you will see horses put into a sling if they are having an issue standing and the possible treatment for the reason they were down can be safely and humanely addressed. The longer a horse has been down, the less likely their chance is to recover from whatever ailed them and the damage caused by being down for too long.
How long is too long? There is no fast rule on an exact amount of time, but damage starts occurring (damage listed above) in a relatively short period of time, within the matter of hours or less, and the longer they are down, the more damage that is continually occurring. Any horse that is down for 24 hours or more has a very poor prognosis (little chance at a good outcome).
If you discover your horse is down and cannot get up, please call for help and assistance in assessing the situation and what can and cannot be done.
Sometimes horses can be down and just be “stuck” and will be able to rise with some assistance, such as flipping them over to their other side, or if it was because of poor traction, making some good traction for them. Please do get some assistance and stay safe. Links in the comment section for more information and ways to help a downed horse safely, including a video on how to roll a horse over within one of the articles.

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from the party animals and Lodi Veterinary Care!

10/30/2024

🍃🐴🌳Oak Trees and Horses 🌳🐴🍃

By popular demand, we have another tree to talk about! Similar to maple trees, oak trees (Quercus spp.) are a common tree grown on horse properties that can also be toxic to horses.

Toxicity has been attributed to the presence of gallic and tannic acids in the leaves, buds, blossoms, and acorns of oak trees. However, the presence of these tannins, and ultimately their toxicity, changes across seasons. The buds, blossoms, and leaves are toxic in the spring with the leaves decreasing in toxicity as they age and mature. In comparison, the acorns are toxic in the fall with the greatest toxicity observed when they are immature and green. Similar to the leaves, acorns become less toxic as they age and mature acorns have been shown to have little to no toxicity to livestock.

Acorn toxication has primarily been studied in ruminants, including cattle and sheep, while little is known on the development of this condition in horses. In other species, the condition has been attributed to the presence of tannins, which combine with proteins (such as enzymes), in the digestive tract. These resulting processes have a negative impact on the digestive tract of the animal through the development of lesions on the intestinal lining, alteration of digestion, and their impact on gut microbes. Additionally, affected horses often go into kidney failure. As a result, horses can display clinical signs including lethargy, colic, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and jaundice or pale mucous membranes.

Overall, acorn toxicity is rare in horses but ingestion can be a serious issue when it occurs. A study in France reported a 44% survival rate when 25 horses were evaluated over 7 years. This study found that most horses exhibited acorn toxicity in the fall, specifically between mid-September and late October. The survival rate was greater for younger horses, with mortality increasing in horses older than 13 years of age.

While horses typically do not choose to eat enough acorns to be concerned of a toxicity, we do not yet know the exact amount that will lead to this condition. However, the greatest risks will occur when horses have access to oak trees alongside inadequate forage availability, which often occurs during periods of drought or when the pastures become overgrazed.

As a result, horses owners can work to prevent acorn intoxication by fencing around oak trees, keeping oak branches trimmed and out of reach of horses, removing horses from pastures with green acorns in the fall or young leaves, buds or blossoms in the spring, and ensuring horses have adequate access to forage throughout the year, especially in the fall when pastures are often overgrazed and acorns may be present.

I hope this information helps as you strive to keep your horse(s) as happy and healthy as possible!

Dr. DeBoer

Hermange T, Ruault B, Couroucé A. Retrospective Study of 25 Cases of Acorn Intoxication Colitis in Horses between 2011 and 2018 and Factors Associated with Non-Survival. Animals. 2024 Feb 12;14(4):599.

10/29/2024

Fall laminitis refers to cases of laminitis or founder that occur in the autumnal months. Although laminitis can happen in any season, anecdotally there seems to be an uptick in the number of cases in the fall.

Why could this be?

• As the days get shorter and colder, grasses have been shown to respond to this stress with higher sugar concentrations. Diets with higher simple sugar concentrations may increase the risk of laminitis.

• Decreases in exercise may cause increases in body condition. Fat or obese horses are at risk of developing laminitis.

• Horses naturally have increased levels of certain hormones in the fall. If you have a horse with PPID (previously referred to as equine Cushing’s), the increase in their cortisol levels could put them at risk for laminitis.

If you have questions concerning fall laminitis or are concerned that your horse may be at an increased risk, contact your equine veterinarian so that they can properly evaluate your horse's unique situation.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

10/27/2024

What a look into the world from a horses view, and all the things we don't see or hear.

This may help you understand your horse's point of view.

10/25/2024

Funny Friday

10/23/2024

10/23/2024

10/20/2024

Sunday Funny with Halloween coming up.

10/19/2024

Pastures, nonstructural carbohydrates, and frost 🌱🍂❄️

Because it is that season, I want to discuss horse pastures and nonstructural carbohydrates, specifically as they relate to the beginning and end of a grazing season. Let’s begin by breaking this down by each topic before we add them all together:

Nonstructural carbohydrates, often abbreviated as NSCs, are comprised of water soluble carbohydrates (simple sugars and fructans) and starch. This class of carbohydrates is an important source of energy for the horse and they are digested and absorbed in the foregut, leading to an increase in blood glucose and insulin. As a result, high levels of NSCs in the diet can be an issue for horses with metabolic concerns specifically related to insulin dysregulation such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), Cushing’s (PPID), and laminitis/founder. While NSCs can be more consistent and documented in manufactured concentrates, more variation is observed in pasture or hay due to outside factors such as plant maturity, time of day, and weather conditions.

In pasture plants, NSCs are produced via photosynthesis, a process in which sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide generate glucose and oxygen. A separate but complementary process known as respiration is responsible for breaking down the glucose created during photosynthesis and releasing that energy for cellular use. As a result, increased photosynthesis leads to an accumulation of NSCs and increased cellular respiration leads to a decrease of NSCs. There are many weather conditions that can alter the balance between these processes in plants.

So how are these two factors connected to frost and the swing in temperatures observed in the spring and fall when horses are either being introduced to or removed from pasture? Well, when temperatures fall below 40°F, the enzymes involved in cellular respiration become significantly less active. And when temperatures fall below freezing, the enzymes can become denatured, stopping respiration altogether. This means low temperatures can lead to an accumulation of NSCs in the forage which can be problematic for grazing horses.

As a result, it is important to look at the nightly lows, and if these temperatures are sustained for more than a few hours, change your management practices accordingly, especially for glucose-sensitive horses. Furthermore, a hard frost occurs when temperatures drop below 28°F for more than four consecutive hours and will not only result in NSC accumulation but also marks the end of the growing season. While current recommendations allow grazing to resume 7 days following a hard frost, pastures require a minimum height of 3” to 4” going into the winter to support pasture productivity the following grazing season. Since grasses will no longer grow after a hard frost, continuing to graze can put undue stress on the pasture.

Additionally, sudden changes in the diet that would occur from removing horses from pasture abruptly, keeping horses on dried forage for 7 days, and then reintroducing horses to pasture, could lead to digestive upset or other health problems and the process will be time intensive for owners. When shifting the diet, even between different forages, it is critical to plan intentional transitions that allow the gut microbiota to sufficiently adapt. While the transition back to pasture can be accelerated in the fall compared to beginning grazing in the spring, it should still be done with care.

I hope this information is helpful as you make decisions on horse management and grazing this season!

- Dr. DeBoer

10/12/2024

If you know anyone trapped or families that haven't been accounted for, please reach out to the number below:

WNC Regional Livestock Center is trying to get the word out that they have tons of donated supplies and stalls for horses and livestock. Please let folks know that they can get donated hay, grain, etc. If they text, the livestock center will figure out a way to get supplies to people who are cut off and help evacuate animals.

Text ONLY to this number - 828-216-4496
474 Stock Dr
Canton NC 28716

10/11/2024

Show us your northern lights photos from last night!

10/10/2024

For World Mental Health Day:

10/10/2024

Taking a whole-horse approach to preventing gastric ulcers might be the best way to improve your horse’s health and well-being. Here’s why.

10/08/2024

Read about newer genetic testing for quarter horses.

Equine Juvenile Spinocerebellar Ataxia (EJSCA) is an inherited neurologic disease that causes ataxia in American Quarter Horses.

10/05/2024

Not directly horse related, but we have a few clients who own alpacas and llamas, and we have seen this condition in the past while on the farm working on resident equines.

Today’s path rounds are on 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐬, otherwise known as the meningeal worm!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭?
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐬 is a parasite that primarily affects deer, but can accidentally infect other species as well. It is primarily known for invading into the 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬, the connective tissue protecting the brain.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐭?
The primary species that this parasite infects are white-tailed deer. However, it does not cause very many signs in this species. If the worm accidentally makes it into a red deer, elk, moose, sheep, alpaca or llama however, it can have very significant effects!

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝?
Affected species that show clinical signs are 𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬, or animals that were not supposed to get the worm in the first place. P. tenuis eggs are shed in the f***s of infected deer and develop into larvae, where they are picked up by an 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭, like a snail or slug. In the intermediate host, the larvae develop further and become infectious to mammals, and are excreted in the snail or slug’s mucus trail. The larvae are ingested by the aberrant host where it migrates from the stomach to the spinal cord, and eventually to the brain.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦?
The brain and spinal cord isn’t supposed to have worms around it! The larvae cause damage to the nervous tissue as the migrate, which leads to clinical signs. In 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐬 (the species family of llamas and alpacas), you may see lameness, incoordination, weakness, head tilt, blindness and circling.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝?
Unfortunately, there are no 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐦 (before death) tests available to identify this worm. So typically, a diagnosis is based on the clinical signs, as well as a history of exposure to deer.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝?
Suspect cases are treated with anti-inflammatory drugs to try and reduce damage caused by the worms, and anti-parasitic medication to hopefully kill the worms directly. Unfortunately, the prognosis is quite poor, so animals are often euthanized if they do not respond to treatment.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝?
Prevention is key for this disease, and is focused around preventing exposure to snails and slugs. Animals should be kept away from swampy areas, streams and ponds, and should have gravel paths on frequently travelled areas to reduce mud. Deer-proof fencing to prevent deer from entering the livestock areas can also help.

𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬
1) The life cycle of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis.
2-5) Examples of meningeal worms as seen at necropsy.
6-7) Cross-sections of meningeal worms seen on histology!

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmer’s Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 1. Sixth Edition.
Purdy, S.R. Meningeal worms in camelids. CDLE Newsletter, Vol 14:1 Fall 2010.

Photo 1 courtesy of S.R. Purdy.
Photos 2-7 courtesy of Noah’s Arkive.

10/01/2024

We are devastated to see the disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene that have impacted thousands of people and equines far and wide. Please join The Foundation for the Horse, the AAEP's charitable arm, in aiding the victims of the hurricane with a donation to help those affected.

The Foundation for the Horse works directly with equine veterinarians on the ground to make sure supplies, hay, feed and veterinary care are provided to animals in need.

Pictured is an example of the devasting effects the residents of Hendersonville, NC have suffered during Hurricane Helene.

If you would like to join us in aiding those affected, donate at: https://membership.aaep.org/FFTH/Shared_Content/Donation-Pages/Give-Now.aspx?ItemId=DISASTER_RELIEF&SourceCode=GiveNow&fbclid=IwY2xjawFnmcNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaHxoC1eLyh3A4yhmAjxmWHPmr_MlVVwcEAQlS7eG9dEchYSrXaPsyTwdQ_aem_XLRekJJPklcJ9rVpFvH-Tg

09/30/2024

Motivation Monday