Cedar Hill Mobile Equine, PLLC

10/31/2025

Most people know that a long, curly haircoat that doesn’t shed properly is a classic sign of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID; equine Cushing's disease) in horses. But did you know there are other, less obvious symptoms to watch for?

Other signs to watch for (note this is not an exhaustive list):

• Muscle Loss: Horses may lose muscle, especially along their topline (the back and rump), even if they seem to be eating well.

• Fat Pockets: You might notice unusual fat deposits, like above the eyes or along the crest of the neck.

• Frequent Infections: Horses with Cushing’s can get skin infections, hoof abscesses, or other illnesses more often than healthy horses.

• Slow Healing: Wounds or sores may take longer to heal.

• Lethargy: Your horse might seem more tired, less energetic, or just “not themselves.”

• Drinking and Urinating More: Increased thirst and urination can be a subtle sign.

• Abnormal Sweating: Some horses sweat more than usual, even when it’s not hot or they haven’t exercised.

If you notice any of these changes, especially in an older horse, it’s a good idea to talk to your veterinarian. Early detection and management can help your horse stay healthy and comfortable!

In addition, it's important to note that all horses are different, if you have questions specific to your animal, please contact your vet.

10/21/2025

Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored, as many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time. Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic – and seeking qualified veterinary help – can the chance for recovery be maximized.

Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic, so management practices can play a key role in prevention. And although not every case is avoidable, the guidelines listed in the graphic can help you maximize your horse’s health and reduce the risk of colic.

As always, remember that every animal is different depending on age, breed and other health conditions, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to address any concerns specific to your situation!

09/26/2025

09/09/2025

As we approach the start of fall and the temperatures start to drop, here is some important information to know regarding fall laminitis.

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 equine companion may be at an increased risk, contact your equine veterinarian so that they can properly evaluate your unique situation.

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

09/06/2025

We appreciate our clients, but our phones do not contain all contacts. When texting, please state your name and the horse you would like to schedule.

09/04/2025

Here's an interesting comparison between human and equine anatomy from our friends at Barrow Veterinary Service:

"Did you know that horses are actually walking on the tips of their fingers and toes? 🐎👣

This diagram shows how the horse’s leg bones compare to ours. What looks like a single strong hoof is really the distal phalanx (or coffin bone) – the same bone that makes up the tip of your finger! The long and short pastern bones above it help absorb concussion, while the cannon bone provides strength and support.

Over time, horses evolved to lose most of their “extra toes” (shown in gray on the left). What remains is a highly efficient structure designed for speed, weight-bearing, and shock absorption.

Understanding this anatomy is one reason hoof care and regular farrier/veterinary visits are so important. Any imbalance or injury in these bones can affect the entire limb and your horse’s comfort.

So next time you watch your horse gallop, remember – they’re essentially running on a single finger, protected by a hoof! 💨🐴"

08/28/2025

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF PROUD FLESH? 🔎

Wounds on the bodies and limbs of our equine companions are exceptionally common. In particular, wounds on lower limbs can be especially difficult to manage. There is little extra skin in these areas, making large wounds difficult to close via suturing.

In addition, wounds on the lower legs are contaminated easily with bacteria since they are closer to the ground, bedding, and manure. The constant movement of an animal's legs as it walks, turns, and bears weight can also greatly impair healing, especially if the wound occurs over a joint. All of these factors can often halt the normal progression of the healing process and result in a chronic wound.

Persistent inflammation, along with infection, is a major contributor to exuberant granulation tissue (or proud flesh) formation in a wound. Proud flesh is not conducive to wound healing as it prevents the wound from epithelializing (the process of the skin cells covering the wound), and sometimes it can become so large that it appears to be a tumor, usually obliterating the original wound.

Prevention of proud flesh involves good wound management. For the best healing, wounds should be identified and treated quickly and properly — especially on the lower limbs. Consult your veterinarian about any wounds that appear deep or extensive, that lie over important structures (like joints and tendons), or that already show signs of proud flesh development. Rather than waste time and money in trials and errors that could delay your equid's healing, ask your veterinarian what products are best for your situation.

08/18/2025

Here's some interesting information about Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) from our friends at Rhinebeck Equine. Have you heard about this condition before? Let us know in the comments below!

"💪🏼 Last week, we discussed Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER) aka tying-up. We mentioned that PSSM (Polysaccharide storage myopathy) is associated with genetic susceptibility of ER.

💪🏼 What is PSSM?
PSSM is a disorder that causes muscle soreness and tying up in horses from abnormal glycogen storage in the muscles. The two types of PSSM are Type 1 and Type 2.

♦️ PSSM Type 1 is caused by a mutation in the GYS1 gene (glycogen synthase 1). The mutation causes muscle cells to produce glycogen continually. PSSM Type 1 is more commonly observed in Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas and draft breeds; however, it has been documented in 20 breeds.

♦️ PSSM Type 2 occurs without genetic mutation yet results in abnormal glycogen storage in the muscles. It is still unknown the exact cause of PSSM Type 2. PSSM Type 2 is more common in warmbloods, but it has been linked to other breeds.

🩺 What are the clinical signs?
Sweating, lameness, sore muscles, weakness, undiagnosed lameness, poor performance, and muscle tremors that may occur with or without exercise. Not all horses will exhibit severe clinical signs.

🥼 How do we test for PSSM Type 1 and 2?
Testing for PSSM Type 1 requires hair samples with the roots attached to test for the GYS1 variant. Testing for PSSM Type 2 requires a muscle biopsy.

🩸 Additional testing of insulin may be warranted due to PSSM Type 1 horses are commonly more sensitive to it. Insulin causes the GYS1 gene to produce more glycogen.

💪🏼 How do we treat PSSM once diagnosis is made?
Diet and regular exercise are crucial to managing these horses. Often these horses are on a low non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) grass hay and a ration balancer. However, each horse is an individual and may need more calories which can be achieved by adding a low-NSC or high fat feed. Additional supportive care may be necessary during an active episode of tying up.

🤔 What is the prognosis?
Sadly, there’s no cure, but with dietary and exercise management horses can do well and reduce the frequency of active tying-up episodes."

If you have any concerns about your horse exhibiting signs of PSSM Type 1 or 2, talk to your veterinarian.

📸: Dr. Laura Javsicas, ACVIM, performing a muscle biopsy.

08/12/2025

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08/11/2025

THE MORE YOU KNOW...

Did you know that humans can be exposed to Rabies WITHOUT sustaining a bite from an infected equine? This is because contact of skin or mucosa with the saliva could be enough to transmit the disease.

Rabies has many faces, but they are all deadly—once a horse shows clinical signs, the animal invariably dies within a few days as there is no treatment.

The good news is that modern vaccines are highly effective and current AAEP recommendations list rabies as one of the “core vaccines” that should be given to all equines annually to maintain immunity (read the full AAEP vaccination guidelines here: https://aaep.org/guidelines/vaccination-guidelines).

Equine rabies is a real risk for all horses, and a public health concern as well. Be sure to set up a regular vaccination schedule with your veterinarian if you haven’t already done so. Remember that strange behavior on behalf of your equine friend is always a valid reason to check in with your veterinarian!

07/28/2025

While it’s a common equine emergency, esophageal obstruction (“choke”) can look alarming, especially if you've never seen it before. Unlike in human medicine, where choking refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction, choke in horses refers to an obstruction of the esophagus (the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).

Most commonly, choking occurs when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing appropriately, which results in a firm bolus lodged in the animal's esophagus. However, esophageal obstruction can also occur with hay or straw, hard treats, carrots, or nonfood objects. Poor dentition, which leads to inadequate chewing, is also a frequent cause of choke.

While common, choke can have serious consequences. So, be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. A bad choke is fairly obvious to both veterinarians and horse owners, but a mild choke could be confused with an upper respiratory tract infection or colic.