equne health and disease final

Angular limb deformity

common musculoskeletal disorder of foals

often results from uneven growth at the ends of long bones

Angular limb deformity treatment

Surgery or rest and corrective trimming

Congenital flexural deformities symptoms

Unable to extend the affected joint

Congenital flexural deformities causes

malpositioning of the fetus in utero

genetics

damage to fetus furing embryonic stage of pregnancy

Two kinds of acquired flexural deformities

Flexural deformity of the coffin joint

Flexural deformity of the fetlock joint

What does a flexural deformity of the coffin joint result in?

raised heel (club fit)

What does a flexural deformity of the fetlock joint result in?

normal hoof-wall alignment

Causes of acquired flexural deformities

chronic pain, poor nutritional management, genetic predisposition for rapid growth

What is osteochondrosis?

Disorder of growing cartilage that may affect either the growth plate or the articular cartilage

Progressive breakdown of cartilage can lead to

osteochondritis dessicans (OCD)

Osteitis

Small piece of dead bone

Often occurs in lower limbs (cannon bone)

Often secondary to trauma

Osteomyelitis

Involves the inner medullary cavity of bone

What is navicular disease?

Degeneration of the navicular bone and surrounding tissues

Navicular disease risk factors:

Genetic predisposition (conformation - small feet)

Improper trimming/shoeing

Overworked

Clinical signs of navicular disease

Intermittent lameness of 1 or both forefeet

Landing on toes

Stumbling

Shortened stride

Shoulder lameness

How to diagnose navicular disease

Case history

Lameness evaluation

X-rays

Treatment of navicular disease

Pain management and slow degeneration

Corrective trimming/shoeing

Exercise

Vasodilators to increase blood flow

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Symptoms of neurological diseases

Abnormal behavior

Facial Paralysis

Seizures

Abnormal Gait

Signs of an abnormal gait

Ataxia, weak, dragging toes, stumbling

What to use when diagnosing neurological disorders

Horse history, physical examination, neurological examination

Things to look for in physical exam for neuro disorder

Asymmetry, atrophy, and range of motion in neck

Things to look at in neurological examination

Behavior, posture, reflexes, tail pull, limb placement

West Nile Virus is…

Infectious/not contagious

Spread by mosquitos

Clinical signs of West Nile Virus

Can cause encephalitis

Lack of appetite

Depressed attitude

What can EHV-1 cause?

respiratory illness, abortion, neurologic disease

Clinical signs of EHV-1

Nasal discharge, lack of coordination, weakness in hind end, diminished tail tone

*contagious

What is the #1 neurologic problem in horses?

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)

Clinical signs of EPM

Slow or sudden onset, difficulty swallowing, facial paralysis, head tilt, fatigue, 3 A’s

What are the 3 A’s?

Ataxia, asymmetry, atrophy

How to diagnose EPM

Test for antibodies, clinical signs

How to treat EPM

Anti-protozoal drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs

*possibility of relapse once medication is discontinued

Clinical signs of respiratory illness

Noise when breathing, nasal discharge, foul breath, swelling around eyes or throat latch, decreased appetite, fever, high respiration rate (>24)

Difference between EHV-1 and EHV-4?

EHV-1 can cause respiratory illness, abortion, neurological disease while EHV-4 is mainly just respiratory disease

Clinical signs of strangles

Nasal discharge, abscesses in lymph nodes, lack of appetite, painful swallowing

*high morbidity, low mortality

Possible complications of strangles?

Pneumonia, bastard strangles (spreads to other parts of the body), purpura hemorrhagica (systemic edema)

Clinical signs of rhodococcus equi

Lethargy, fever, rapid breathing, diarrhea, colic, stifle and hock effusion

How is Equine Virus Arteritis (EVA) transmitted?

respiratory, venereal, congenital, vaginal secretions

Clinical signs of EVA

Fever, abortion, swelling of male genetalia/ mammary glands, limb edema

Clinical signs of Guttural Pouch Mycosis

Usually unilateral, nosebleed, difficulty swallowinf, head-shaking, neurological signs, respiratory distress

Causes of Sinusitis

Dental disease, trauma, foreign body, complications from tumor/cyst

Clinical signs of Sinusitis

Unilateral nasal discharge, head-shaking, facial asymmetry and distortion

Cause of Heaves

Allergic reaction to inhaled particles, inflammation of tissues lining airways, accumulation of mucous

Clinical signs of Heaves

Cough, excersise intolerance, wheezing