Foal Photo Contest Winner is Laura Newberry!

We received many submissions, however the clinic staff was smitten with the photo below of Aoife a Standardbred filly by Squaw's Fella out of Peggy Lee D.  The photo was taken by owner Laura Newbery.  Laura will receive a $50 gift certificate good toward Reid & Associates veterinary services.  Have fun raising this beautiful filly and good luck at the races when she grows up!

Summer Sores Don't Just Happen In the Summer (especially in Florida!)

Summer Sores

Are any of the following pictures familiar to you? 

Each of these wounds is a "summer sore" located in different areas of the body (eye, leg, sheath/penis, and commissures of the mouth).

Habronemiasis, or "summer sores" as it is more commonly referred to, is a condition that affects many horses in our area and throughout the United States. It is usually manifested as a dermatologic condition, and is the result of infestation of the affected region with the larvae of certain types of parasites called nematodes. The common house fly and stable fly are intermediate hosts for these parasites, meaning that they ingest and harbor the immature larval stages, and then deposit them on horses’ skin while biting. Often times,
the larvae are deposited around the muzzle, which then results in ingestion by the horse.  Adult stages of the nematode then live in the stomach, producing larvae, which are subsequently passed in manure. When ingested by maggots (immature flies), the cycle is repeated. 

Cutaneous habronemiasis presents as ulcerative skin nodules typically in the spring and summer, with regression in winter months, when the flies die. There is no breed or sex predilection, meaning that any
horse can be affected, and some seem to be more prone to the condition, developing lesions year after year. Common areas to be affected include the legs, penis and sheath, eyes, and any open skin wounds. The condition is the result of the horse’s own immune system mounting a hypersensitivity reaction (a type of allergic reaction) to the larvae.  The lesions are often itchy, and resemble granulation tissue with tiny yellow granules often times visible. Patients whose eyes are affected often times have excessive tearing and squinting. Geldings and stallions that have infestation of the penis or sheath may exhibit difficulty urinating.

Diagnosis is generally based on the clinical appearance of the lesions. Biopsy is required to make a definitive diagnosis.  Treatment is aimed at decreasing the horse’s immune response to the parasite by use of topical and/or systemic steroids. Deworming with an Ivermectin based product is also important in controlling the disease.  One factor that is of paramount importance in the treatment and prevention of cutaneous habronemiasis is that of FLY CONTROL, as flies deposit the inflammatory larvae into the wounds.  This is best accomplished using a combination of fly repellents and fly masks/sheets, particularly those that cover the underside of the horse. The use of fans on stall doors will also help to decrease the number of flies in the environment, as will fly strips. If your horse does have an open wound that cannot be covered, topicals such as SWAT can be applied around the lesion to prevent flies from landing and depositing Habronema larvae. It is also crucial to maintain a clean environment, disposing of soiled bedding/shavings that may attract insects.  Maintaining a clean environment includes manure pile management to decrease the breeding grounds of the flies.  Effective composting of manure and/or removal of manure can significantly decrease the fly population.  Fly predators can also help substantially.  If you suspect that your horse may have summer sores, contact your veterinarian to determine the appropriate treatment protocol for your animal.

If you see lesions like the ones above on your horse, please call your Veterinarian for evaluation and treatment.



Equine Emergencies- Part 1 of 3

Dr. Raul Casas presents a 3 part series on equine emergencies.  Part 1 will focus on Colic and Fevers.  Part 2 will discuss Acute Swellings and Lameness and Part 3 will discuss Eyes and Wounds. 

Equine Emergencies and First Aid
Owning a horse can be a very rewarding and fulfilling experience, but at the same time can be very stressful and frustrating, especially during the time of an emergency. The following guidelines are not designed to replace the care and attention of a trained veterinarian but might make a difference in the outcome and help reduce morbidity. The first several moments during an emergency can be vital for a successful outcome, so recognizing that there is a problem and knowing how to respond will help the wellbeing of your horse. Once you have recognized that you have an emergency with your horse, a quick assessment of the situation should be made and you should contact your veterinarian for some advice. At Reid & Associates we are always available to discuss with you any issues and determine if further treatment might be indicated. It never hurts to call.

Colic

The definition of colic is abdominal pain. Most people are familiar with colic and with the most common signs like laying down, rolling and pawing. Other signs include a reduction in appetite, curling of upper lip, posturing to urinate or defecate without producing anything, restlessness, looking back at abdomen, or even a slight change in behavior or temperament.
Once a colic has been recognized, regardless of how mild it might look, you should call the veterinarian immediately to discuss your options, as some episodes of colic can deteriorate very quickly. The horse should not be allowed to eat anything but access to fresh water is recommended. If the horse is laying down quietly, it is OK to allow them to do so while you make the phone call. If the horse is acting more uncomfortable, getting them up and walking is a good idea to distract them and help keep them from hurting themselves.
It is very common for horse owners to administer Banamineâ (flunixin meglumine) as soon as signs of colic appear. Even though almost all colics are treated with BanamineÒ, which is an antiinflammatory and analgesic, you should call first, because if we are coming out to examine your horse we might prefer to get the full picture and not have medications masking any symptoms during our exam.
Most episodes of colic resolved with medical treatment, so the odds are in your favor. Early recognition and appropriate treatment can make a big difference.

Fevers

The normal rectal temperature for an adult horse can vary anywhere from 99.5° to 101.5°F, but under some circumstances anything above 101°F can be considered a fever. Horses with fevers can present with lethargy, inappetence, increased respiratory rate and effort, increased heat on palpation or can appear completely normal. Fevers are cause by alterations in the body thermostat by infections, inflammation, tumors, trauma or other physiologic or disease processes. Even though fevers can have beneficial effects, prolonged fevers also have deleterious effects. In addition, determination of the primary cause for the fevers is paramount in the treatment course of disease.
Anytime anything out of the ordinary is noticed on a horse, a rectal temperature should be taken if it is safe to do so. Any thermometer, mercury or digital, could be used. Once the temperature is known, a call to the veterinarian is what’s next. After speaking with a veterinarian, owners might be advised to administer antipyretic medications like BanamineÒ or bute, and can cold hose horses to try to bring the temperature down. The hosing should be concentrated along both sides of the neck and in between the front and hind legs, as these areas have large blood vessels close to the surface that help distributed cooled down blood throughout the body. Cold hosing should be performed for at least 30 minutes or so to have any significant effects. Alternatively a cold alcohol bath can be administered. In a bucket, you can mix cold water, rubbing alcohol and ice and this mixture can be sponged over the horse’s body. The application of ice boots or icing of the distal legs (from knee down) can also minimize the risks of laminitis and should strongly be considered.