South Mountain Equine

11/19/2024

A dilemma as old as time... to blanket or not to blanket? Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether your horse needs a blanket during the winter months depends on many factors such as their coat, the weather and their living situation.

11/07/2024

A dilemma as old as time... to blanket or not to blanket? Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether your horse needs a blanket during the winter months depends on many factors such as their coat, the weather and their living situation.

11/05/2024

IS RAIN ROT A FUNGAL OR A BACTERIAL DISEASE?

Rain rot (or rain scald) is the common name for a contagious BACTERIAL skin disease called dermatophilosis. It's caused by the bacterium "Dermatophilus congolensis," which thrives during wet seasons and in geographical locations with high precipitation and humidity. It can also develop after horses have sweat under blankets or tack, and equines with compromised immune systems are more susceptible.

Why should you not mistake rain rot for a fungal disease?
Antifungal medications and topicals have no effect on the bacteria responsible for rain rot, therefore diagnosing the condition correctly is very important!

How does rain rot happen?
The bacteria infects the hair follicles and damages the hair follicle and shaft; the hair will then pull out in small clumps leaving pink skin or purulent scabs behind (pro tip: your horse will NOT thank you for picking at them!) If you do not address the factors that promote the right bacterial environment (for example, you always leave your horse to stand outside in the rain without shelter or the protection of a waterproof rug), rain rot can keep recurring. If left untreated, the condition can even progress to a point where it opens the door for more serious, secondary skin infections.

If you suspect your horse has rain rot, be sure to consult your veterinarian on the best treatment plan based on the severity of your horse's case. While there are a million products that can be found in your local tack store, your horse doctor may have cause to prescribe a specific course of action.

10/29/2024

Hopefully everyone is enjoying the nice weather as much as these two! Wishing everyone a happy and safe Halloween week.

09/17/2024

Black Walnut trees are very common in this area of the country. The bark, wood, nuts, leaves, and roots are all toxic to horses (and dogs). Horses don't typically ingest them however and toxicity is usually due to the wood be present in shavings. Contact with the shavings as well as ingestion can cause clinical signs. Edema in legs, depression, reluctance to move, and acute laminitis are the most common signs in the first few hours of toxicity. Fever, colic, elevated respiration and rotation of the coffin bone can occur if exposure is prolonged. Make sure when acquiring bulk shavings there is no black walnut mixed in as it is a common source of wood for furniture.

09/09/2024

One of the plants you may come across in your hay or pastures is Carolina Horsenettle (𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒). This w**d produces round tomato like berries sometimes referred to as as the "Devil's Tomato". This plant is part of the nightshade family and can be toxic to horses, and people, if ingested in large amounts. The leaves and stems of the plant have fine prickly spines and the flowers are star shaped and pale violet to white in color. All parts are poisonous, especially the berries, and contain solanine a glycoalkaloid that irritates the mucosa in the mouth and stomach. The plant is less toxic when dried in hay and small amounts will cause no harm. Most horses will eat around the plant as it is not palatable. If they consume 1 lb. or more in a sitting they could develop gastric signs like colic and diarrhea or neurologic signs such as depression and muscle tremors. The toxin acts quickly, but the effects are not cumulative. Be on the lookout for this plant in your pastures. If you see evidence of it in your hay pick it out, but don't panic, a small amount will not be harmful and most likely your horse will not eat it.

08/28/2024

One of the 'stall side' tests our practice utilizes on a regular basis checks a horse's Serum Amyloid A level or SAA. SAA is a biomarker protein that rapidly increases with infection. Levels in healthy horses are very low, but these levels rise quickly and will remain elevated in horses with infections, even infections that are subclinical. For this reason an SAA reader can be more sensitive than a thermometer at picking up early infections. Not only can the SAA reading help detect an infection in a patient but it can be used to monitor response to treatments prescribed, screen horses who have traveled or are planning to travel, or be used during a wellness evaluation or pre-purchase exam. The test only takes 10 minutes to run and is often helpful, along with the physical exam findings, to choose a treatment protocol.

08/22/2024

Routine blood work is an important tool we have to monitor the health of your horse. This is why a CBC/Chemistry panel is included in all preventative health care plans we offer. All of our trucks are equipped with a refrigerator and centrifuge so we can properly process and store the blood during the day to get the most accurate test results. Ask us what blood work would be best to monitor your horse's health!

08/21/2024

Ever wondered how we can keep a wound covered in those hard to bandage areas? For areas on the upper part of the leg, the neck, or upper body of the horse, we either cannot bandage or the bandage will slip down. In these areas, a tie over bandage can be used instead if it is needed! A tie over bandage uses loops of suture in the surrounding skin as anchors, and then the bandage material is held in place by a string laced through those loops. It is especially helpful for some wounds that require packing!

08/14/2024

Potomac horse fever (PHF) is an acute enterocolitis syndrome producing mild colic, fever, and diarrhea in horses of all ages, as well as abortion in pregnant mares. The causative agent is Neorickettsia risticii. The infection of enterocytes of the small and large intestine results in acute colitis, which is one of the principal clinical signs of PHF. The disease occurs in spring, summer, and early fall and is associated with pastures bordering creeks or rivers.

We have had several cases in the area. If you have not vaccinated for PHF in the last 3 months, we recommend that you call to schedule a booster.
240-818-5971

Learn about the veterinary topic of Potomac Horse Fever. Find specific details on this topic and related topics from the Merck Vet Manual.