WINTER RELATED HORSE HEALTH PROBLEMS

WINTER RELATED

HORSE HEALTH

PROBLEMS

Natasha Lefkowitz, DVM

NAME SOME PROBLEMS…

!SKIN PROBLEMS

!FOOT PROBLEMS

!RESPIRATORYPROBLEMS (Breathing)

!DIGESTIVE TRACTPROBLEMS (Eating)

FOR EACH PROBLEM….

WE WILL TALK ABOUT:WE WILL TALK ABOUT:

!CAUSES

!CLINICAL SIGNS

!TREATMENT

!PREVENTION

WINTER RELATED PROBLEMS

…SKIN

“SCRATCHES”

OTHER NAMES:OTHER NAMES:“Pastern Dermatitis”

“Mud Fever”“Greasy Heel”

“SCRATCHES”

CAUSES: MUD, MUD ANDMORE MUD

“SCRATCHES”

CAUSESCAUSES

"Bacteria

!Dermatophilus

"Fungus

!Dermatophytosis

"Other

!Contact dermatitis,photosensitization

“SCRATCHES”

CLINICAL SIGNS:CLINICAL SIGNS:

!Crusting, Hair Loss, Oozing

"heel and pastern

!More common on limbs with white hair

“SCRATCHES”

! TREATMENT" Clip

" Clean! Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoo

! ChlorhexiDerm Shampoo

" Soak! Gently Remove Crusts

" Apply Topical Medication! White Lotion – Acute, Severe Cases

! Corticosteroid-Antibacterial Ointment

" +/- Systemic Antibiotics! Severe cases only

" Keep in clean, Dry Environment until Resolved

“SCRATCHES”

!PREVENTION

"Clean

!Remove mud from limbsregularly

!Antibacterial/AntifungalShampoo

"Dry

!Dry limbs beforereturning to stall

“RAIN SCALD”

“DERMATOPHILOSIS”

CAUSES: RAIN, RAINAND MORE RAIN

“RAIN SCALD”

CAUSES:CAUSES:

!Heavy rainfall and overcastweather

!Bacteria

"Dermatophilus congolensis

" Invades abrasion to skin

!Spread

"Clippers, tack, groomingsupplies

“RAIN SCALD”

CLINICAL SIGNS:CLINICAL SIGNS:

!Usually starts onback and rump

!Clumpy, mattedtufts of hair andscabs

!Not itchy

“RAIN SCALD”

TREATMENTTREATMENT

! Wash with Chlorhexidine Shampoo

! GENTLY remove crusts

! Topical Betadine Solution

" Can spray onto lesions

! +/- Systemic Antibiotics

! DISINFECT ENVIROMENT

PREVENTIONPREVENTION

Keep horse clean and dry

WINTER RELATED PROBLEMS

FOOT PROBLEMS...

THRUSH

THRUSH

CAUSES:MUD, MUD ANDMORE MUD

THRUSH

BACTERIAL INFECTION

CLINICAL SIGNSCLINICAL SIGNS

!Bad odor

!Black, oozingmaterial at centralsulcus of frog

THRUSH

! Prevention/Treatment

" Regular Hoof Care

" Daily cleaning

" Topical medication

" Avoid constantly standing in mud

FOOT ABSCESS

FOOT ABSCESSES

CAUSES:MUD, MUD ANDMORE MUD

FOOT ABSCESSES

CLINICAL SIGNSCLINICAL SIGNS

! SEVERE LAMENESS

" OFTEN NON WEIGHT BEARING ON LEG

! STRONG DIGITAL PULSES

! SWELLING AT CORONARY BAND ANDHEEL BULBS (+/-)

! MAY SEE DRAINAGE OF ABSCESS ATCORONARY BAND

FOOT ABSCESSES

DIAGNOSISDIAGNOSIS

! History

" Muddy conditions

" No history of trauma

" Acute onset

! Clinical signs

! Hoof testers

" Focal pain

! CAREFUL paring of sole

" Locate abscess pocket

! Radiographs (+/-)

" Can see sub solar gas pocket

FOOT ABSCESSES

TREATMENTTREATMENT

! REMOVE SHOE

! CAREFULLY OPEN ABSCESSPOCKET

! SOAK IN BETADINE AND EPSONSALT

! POULTICE

" MAGNA PASTE

" ICHTHAMOL

! USUALLY NO BUTE ORANTIBIOTICS

" MAY SLOW PROGRESS OF ABSCESSDRAINAGE

FOOT ABSCESSES

FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONFOLLOWING RESOLUTION……

!REPLACE SHOE WHEN ABSCESSREGION IS DRY AND CORNINIFIED

"+/- PAD AND MEDICATED SOLEPACK

"TINCTURE OF IODINE

FOOT ABSCESSES

PREVENTIONPREVENTION

!REGULAR FOOT CARE

"TRIM/SHOE EVERY 5-7 WEEKS

"PICK FEET DAILY

!AVOID CONSTANTLYSTANDING IN MUD

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS

"Heaves

"Bronchitis

"Respiratory Infections

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS

CLINICAL SIGNSCLINICAL SIGNS

!Tired

!Labored breathing

!Increased respiratoryrate

!Coughing

!Exercise Intolerance

!Fever

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS

CAUSESCAUSES

! LACK OF CLEANCIRCULATING AIR

" HORSES LOCKED INBARN

" HIGH LEVELS OFAMMONIA

!URINE

" MOLD

!HAY

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS

TREATMENTTREATMENT

Varies according tocondition

Always call a vet ifshowing signs ofrespiratory disease

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS

PREVENTIONPREVENTION

! PROVIDE GOOD AIR CIRULATION IN BARN

! CLEAN STALLS DAILY

WINTER RELATED PROBLEMS

DIGESTIVE TRACT PROBLEMS…

DIGESTIVE TRACT PROBLEMS

COLIC

(Belly Ache)

COLIC

CAUSES: COLD, COLDAND MORE COLD

COLIC

IMPACTION COLIC

CAUSESCAUSES

"DEHYDRATION

!WATER FROZENOR TOO COLDFOR HORSE TODRINK

COLIC

TREATMENT" CALL VET

!REHYDRATE!OIL VIA NASOGASTRIC TUBE

PREVENTION" WARM HORSE’S WATER ON FREEZING DAYS" FEED WARM “SLOPPY” BRAN MASH ON COLD

DAYS

DIGESTIVE TRACT PROBLEMS

WEIGHT LOSS

WINTER WEIGHT LOSS

CAUSESCAUSES……

!Increased energy expenditurefrom trying to stay warm

!Poor quality grass and notenough grass in pasture

Generally OLDER horses are

affected most

WEIGHT LOSS

CLINICAL SIGNSCLINICAL SIGNS

"SKINNYHORSE

WINTER WEIGHT LOSS

TREATMENT/PREVENTIONTREATMENT/PREVENTION

! Supplement horseswith additional hay

! Feed grain orcomplete feed asneeded

! Keep horses warmand dry with waterproof blankets

! Monitor horse’sweight and adjustfeed intakeaccordingly

WINTER CARE GUIDELINES

! CHECK your horse OFTEN

! GROOM your horse

! PICK your horse’s feet

! TRIM OR SHOE your horses feet REGULARLY

! CHECK your horse’s water

! Keep your horse DRY

! AVOID your horse standing in mud for longperiods of time

! Maintain adequate AIR CIRULATION in barn

! SUPPLEMENT FEED as needed

! …and, as always, ask your vet if you have anyquestions

ANY QUESTIONS?

HOOD TO COAST EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICE

Natasha Lefkowitz, DVM

503.841.6566 www.hoodtocoastequine.com