View
463
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
Retired Racehorse Makeover
Health Management of your OTTB
Major Issues Found In OTTB’s
1. Digestive Disordersa) Gastric Ulcersb) Intestinal Inflammationc) Fermentation Anomaliesd) Immune Function
2. Systemic Inflammationa) Joint Healthb) Muscle Functionc) Immune Responsed) Poor Hoof Health and Laminitis
Evaluate the “Entire” Horse• Attitude / Temperament• Feet and legs• Body condition and
musculature• Digestive system and
appetite• Skeletal structure and
alignment• Presence of injuries,
blemishes and/or unsoundnesses
Whole Horse Mgmt
• All of these systems are inter-related• A problem with one affects the function of all
the others!
Appetite and Digestive Health
• Poor appetite, inconsistent appetite or finicky appetite are usually related to poor digestive function
Maggie Kimmitt photo
Poor Digestive Function
• Inefficient mastication– Broken or dislocated jaw– Poor dentition
• Gastric ulcers
• Small and/or large intestine inflammation
Gastric Ulcers
• 80 – 90% of race horses will present with gastric ulcers
• Must be “treated” with drugs that inhibit acid production/secretion such as omeprazole or ranitidine
Gastric Ulcers
• “Prevention”– Free exercise– Green grass– Forage available at all times– Low starch/sugar diet– Controlled exercise– Gastric buffers (calcium, magnesium)• Alfalfa is natural gastric buffer
– Vegetable oils, fish oil, lecithin, aloe, others
Day 0Day 0
Intestinal Inflammation
• 50 – 60% of race horses will present with intestinal inflammation
• Phases of intestinal inflammation– Stale gut– Mucosal inflammation– Ulceration– Colitis
Intestinal Inflammation• Treatment objectives– Re-establish viable and healthy fermentation
• Horse is a fermentation vat on 4 legs with an attitude• Composition of microbiome has major effect on immune function
and over all health (including insulin resistance)– Re-establish normal immune function of intestine
• 60% or more of equine immune system is located in intestine– Provide anti-inflammatory activity
• Must be natural (ex: fish oil)• NSAID’s exacerbate or even cause intestinal inflammation
– In more severe cases use of misoprostol and sucralfate may also be required
• How to identify–All horses do not present the same–Hind gut cannot be scoped–Ultrasound can be used, however, if
thickening is observed you already have substantial inflammation/ulceration and are well on your way to colitis– Identify by signs/symptoms/behavior
reported by owner or trainer
Hind Gut Health
• Not performing to the previous level or level that is expected
• Change in personality – grouchy, “leave me alone” behavior
• Resistance to leg aids especially on right side– Right dorsal colon most often involved
• Backing ears when being saddled especially when the cinch is tightened
• Just dull
Hind Gut Symptoms
• Prefers to eat hay rather than grain– NOTE: Gastric ulcers will eat a little grain then lay
down then get up and resume eating or just eat grain slowly
• Manure has a funny odor or consistency• Constantly switching from one hind leg to the
other in the stall• The hip/SI joint may be displaced• Common to be tight in back and hamstrings
Hind Gut Symptoms
• Eating a lot but not gaining weight– (also symptom of “over-training”)
• Dull coat and/or skin disorders• Poor hoof quality• Allergies• Info from caretaker that horse improved while on
Gastrogard but quickly reverted when they took it off – BIG TIP
• Low fecal pH
Hind Gut Health Symptoms
Negative Planter Angle
• Mentioned because it is very common in retired race horses and
• Is associated with sore back, tight hamstrings, stifle and hock problems
• Can be confused with or found in conjunction with hind gut inflammation
Negative Planter Angle
Summary• Evaluate whole horse to increase your chances of
finding the “primary” problems• Digestive health and function eliminate a lot of other
disorders such as allergies, bad attitude, bad hoof quality, poor weight maintenance, etc
• Work with veterinarian and/or rehab professional to identify and reduce sources of systemic inflammation
PowerPoint presentation available at:www.equivision.com
Recommended