We’ve been receiving many, many questions here at MVS about Vesicular Stomatits (VS) and the current situation here in Colorado regarding cases of VS. The state vet’s office emailed us some information today and we’re posting it here, along it with some helpful and informative links at the bottom of page for more information.
Continue readingRabies can affect any mammal, including horses. Read this month’s blog posting for more information on symptoms and prevention of this 100% fatal disease.
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Why do we give the vaccines that we give in the spring? Why are they necessary in Colorado? Does my horse really need them? Read on to find out…
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Cases of West Nile are down in Colorado. Does this mean you can stop vaccinating for it? Read this month’s Ask A Vet for the answer.
Continue readingQUESTION: My Horse has one white sock, and this winter, she has developed “crusties” along the back side of her pasterns. She acts as though it hurts if I try to pick at the scabs. One of my friends called it “grease-heel” and another called it “scratches.” Can you please talk about the differences?
ANSWER:
The short answer to your question is that they are one and the same.
Scratches, Grease- heel, or Mud Fever is not really a specific disease, but a set of signs that we see on the legs of a horse called caudal pastern dermatitis. It often starts on the back side of the pasterns, and if left untreated, can certainly spread around and up the limb as far as the cannon bone! This problem occurs almost exclusively on horses with white hair on their legs, and pink skin beneath that hair. There does seem to be some correlation with the pink skin being much more likely to be effected, but it is not impossible for a non-white leg to have scratches present. The current thought is that there is a relation to sun exposure with the pink skin that is also contributing to a horse getting scratches.
Scratches are a skin over-reaction on the leg, having many potential causes. As mentioned above, it is most commonly seen on legs with white hair and pink skin. There is almost always a moisture component with this dermatitis (skin inflammation) as well. Whether it is sweat from splint boots, morning dew on pasture grass, snow, or even just walking through a creek or stream, there is usually some exposure to moisture without allowing the area to fully dry. From this irritation, the skin can then have some weeping drainage which gives fuel to bacteria or even fungi to grow and cause further inflammation. This process can spiral out of control and get much worse without proper treatment. The inflammation that is caused is usually very uncomfortable for the horse and can even cause a severe lameness.
Treatment of scratches is centered on getting the crusts completely removed from the wound, and also getting the area as clean and dry as possible. This can be difficult since the inflammation itself is often times painful and horses will not let you do a thorough job of cleaning the scabs and crusts. In these cases, it will be necessary to have your veterinarian sedate your horse so that they will tolerate this uncomfortable initial cleaning. In severe cases we will also prescribe an ointment with a steroid anti-inflammatory for topical use and instruct the owner to thoroughly clean the legs every 2-3 days and keep the horse away from the source of moisture. Remember, FULLY removing the crusts, and keeping the leg clean and dry should help you to prevent a relapse and to have a rapid resolution.
QUESTION:
I have a 10 year old gelding that has had a number of “small” colics over that last couple of months. Most of them started with him not wanting to eat, and then within a few hours was laying down, and looking at his belly. In these episodes, I have only had to call the vet once, and when he was examining him, he said that there was a possibility that he had ulcers. Why, after having him for 3 years and never having colicked before this winter, is he having so many issues?
ANSWER:
While there are a number of reasons for a horse to colic, ulcers certainly have come into light over the last few years. Recent research has confirmed that our equine friends often deal with EGUS (Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome). The affect this can have on our horses range from behavioral changes to chronic/ repetitive colic. Ulcers in horses have been shown to appear after as little as five days after a small change in diet, exercise, or housing. There are certainly other factors that will increase any one horses’ particular chance for having ulcers. These factors include- general disposition (are they a “stressed” horse), are they under intense training, is there a new herd mate or stall neighbor. So in the case above, as veterinarians, we would ask many questions looking for changes or predisposing factors that might have suddenly led this horse to become an “ulcer horse.”
There is only one way to definitively diagnose gastric ulcers in a horse, and that is with a gastroscope. Often times, trial therapy is used to confirm your veterinarian’s suspicions of EGUS. We will begin treatment (with omeprazole, cimetidine, ranitidine, or famotidine) and the owners evaluate whether the treatment has reduced or eliminated the clinical signs that the horse was experiencing.
