Category Archives: Horse Vet Corner Files

Winter: Getting Horses Ready

Proper horse care and management during the winter is essential. As it becomes colder, the horses requirements for energy, shelter and hoof care begin to change. This HVC file explains the different requirements horses have during the winter and practices horse owners can do to meet those requirements. Your horse needs more water in theContinue reading “Winter: Getting Horses Ready”

Hoof Problems and Care

By Deb Haines Horses mom and dad both had good feet just don’t understood why hers are so bad. Any ideas please let me know. https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/439389863169451/ Is there anyway to improve the thickness of the hoof wall? https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/439634633144974/ My horse’s hooves are peeling so I have hoof questions.https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/390526818055756/ Toe cracks A) https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/384672375307867/ B) https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/435592013549236/ WhatContinue reading “Hoof Problems and Care”

Pastern Dermatitis / Scratches: FAQ

By Dr. Richards Information for the many of you that are dealing with Equine Pastern Dermatitis (aka Scratches/Mud Fever). It can be found in the “Files” section of this page. ‘Tis the season… For lots of concern about problems with the skin on the lower legs of our horses.Equine Pastern Dermatitis (EPD), along with itsContinue reading “Pastern Dermatitis / Scratches: FAQ”

FAQ – Hives

Here are some articles on hives causes and treatments. https://thehorse.com/14663/hives-in-horses-symptoms-and-treatment https://www.smartpakequine.com/content/Hives-in-Horses http://www.ckequinehospital.com/page/165/Equine-Hives Any advice regarding medications such as antihistamines or corticosteroids needs to come from your veterinarian that has a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship with you and your horse. The veterinarians on HVC cannot advise on dose or whether a certain medication is appropriate for yourContinue reading “FAQ – Hives”

Podiatry – Hoof Capsule Cracks

By Dr. Alicia Nolfi Everything that we see externally in the equine foot is a direct result of what is happening internally. The foot is a dynamic organ that has suspension and support components working together to achieve stability and movement. When all components of the foot are healthy and have total recall, the footContinue reading “Podiatry – Hoof Capsule Cracks”

Snake Bite Information

By Deb Haines Of all snake species on the planet only 1/3 of them are poisonous. There are only 4 different types of poisonous snakes in the U.S. They are Cottonmouths, Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, and last but defiantly not the least Coral Snakes. Head Shape: Non-Venomous snakes usually have a spoon-shaped rounded heads and venomous snakesContinue reading “Snake Bite Information”

FAQ – Vaccine Reactions

By Dr. Nolfi Vaccinations are a part of horse ownership. In the US, we have core vaccines (ones all horses shouldreceive) and risk-based vaccines (ones that are given based on endemic disease rate, housing situation of the horse, exposure of the horse to other horses, etc). Have a look here for more information about vaccines:Continue reading “FAQ – Vaccine Reactions”

FAQ – Wildfires

What to do for your horse when exposed to wildfire smoke: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/guidelines-horses-exposed-wildfire-smoke https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/821564121618688 Evacuating horses in wildfires:https://www.facebook.com/UCDavisVERT/posts/4338771162860788 Nebulization Therapy: Nebulization should only be done at the direction of a veterinarian. Silver has had no controlled or peer reviewed studies in horses to ensure its safety. In fact, reviews of the literature indicate that silver causesContinue reading “FAQ – Wildfires”

FAQ – Swollen Teats – Lactating Teats

Why are my non-pregnant mare’s teats swollen – why is she lactating? There are a few reasons why a non-pregnant mare can have enlarged or swollen teats and may even have clear to white liquid that can be drawn from them: – Clover or other estrogenic plants – usually causes no problems, often comes onContinue reading “FAQ – Swollen Teats – Lactating Teats”

HVC Vets Perspective on Variety of Equine Subjects

By Deb Haines “Wound care” ( Dr. Madison Seaman) https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/350282175413554/ Equine behavior ( Dr.Madison Seaman ) https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/350282175413554/ Sometimes Difficult Finding The Answer ( Dr. Madison Seaman) https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/349237265518045/ Hay Bags, Slow Feeders, and Nets (Dr.Teresa Crocker) https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/324762941298811/ Importance of preventative vaccinations (Dr Timothy Miller) https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/315520328889739/

Studying Vet Med: what you need to know

By Deb Haines The doctors get asked a few times a month in Goat Vet Corner and in Horse Vet Corner suggestions on entering vet school, Dr. Chastine has been kind enough to provide some helpful information. M Nanette Chastine DVM …….. I taught undergraduate and was a pre-vet advisor, so hopefully I can offerContinue reading “Studying Vet Med: what you need to know”

Disaster Planning, Part 1: Vet Bills

It’s an emergency. Your horse is colicking, has a bad laceration, injured its eye… it was being “AHorse”. You realize you don’t have the money for an emergency call. What do you do?Hopefully, you’re reading this BEFORE this happens and can put a plan into place.You may think, “But my vet loves horses and he/sheContinue reading “Disaster Planning, Part 1: Vet Bills”

Vaccines – Veterinary Administration

By Dr. Karie Vander Werf A note from the AAEP on why it’s a good idea to have your veterinarian administer the vaccines instead of purchasing them from online or feed store sources. Note that in most states, it is illegal to administer Rabies on your own and would not be accepted as truly “vaccinated”Continue reading “Vaccines – Veterinary Administration”

Hurricane Season: Be Prepared

By Deb Haines The leading cause of death of large animals during past hurricanes included animals killed in collapsed barns, electrocution, kidney failure secondary to dehydration and animals hit and killed on roadways or tangled in barbed wire after escaping from their pasture. In more recent storms several horses died when trees fell and crushedContinue reading “Hurricane Season: Be Prepared”

Horse First Aid Kit Supplies

By Deb Haines Please always establish a relationship with a hands on Veterinarian. Many times prescriptions drugs that are needed in a emergency vets will leave with their clients depending on the relationship established with that veterinarian. First Aid Kit Supplies RX Phenylbutazone Dexamethasone Banamine Terramycin ointment Saline solution First Aid kit for Humans

Winter: Getting Horses Ready

(Including Blanket Questions) By Deb Haines Proper horse care and management during the winter is essential. As it becomes colder, the horses requirements for energy, shelter and hoof care begin to change. This HVC file explains the different requirements horses have during the winter and practices horse owners can do to meet those requirements. YourContinue reading “Winter: Getting Horses Ready”

FAQ – Cronic Diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea:Please see this article on chronic diarrhea: https://thehorse.com/167963/finding-the-cause-of-chronic-diarrhea-in-horses-be-methodical/?fbclid=IwAR3BfoksvkEgzbhonwiQjLVO3iEdurkAelv81PPsSbLukgbgOctlnSa76WE Things that are usually done to evaluate for chronic diarrhea: Fecal water syndrome: After diagnostics have been done (listed above) and common causes such as sand, this becomes a trial and error disease. Some vets have had luck with an all hay diet (meadow hay, alfalfa);Continue reading “FAQ – Cronic Diarrhea”

FAQ – Head Shaking

Here are some links to read regarding headshaking. Please let us know if you have additional questions after reading the links. 1) http://www.headshakerinfo.org 2) An article by KSU on photic headshaking: http://vetfolio.s3.amazonaws.com/e3/0a/c430367244cb90ece6de0cc207fa/clinical-view-66-photic-head-shaking.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2HuH4jY-CqsrTaaz-bfceca9P1dAxAgMaIVjJsHbdfvXTnfDkSXrGyG-M 3) Article by KSU on general headshaking:https://www.vet.k-state.edu/vhc/services/equine/internal-medicine/headshaking.html 4) A recent study indicating possible musculoskeletal pain as a cause: https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2019/03/27/head-shaking-study-musculoskeletal-pain/?fbclid=IwAR0o83rl0KruyNPC_bg4iNtGXxcIq1uU7E0Y_VhogVW6-7yOxiurXKT-Fx0

Physical Exam – How to perform

Here’s a video on how to perform a physical exam: Normals:1. Temperature (at rest):– Adult: 99.5 – 100.5 F– Foal: 99.5 – 101.5 F2. Heart rate:– Adult: 32-40 bpm– Foal: 80-120 bpm (transitions to adult ranges as they age)3. Respiratory rate:– Adult: 8-16 brpm– Foal: 60-80 brpm at birth, reducing to around 30 brpm withinContinue reading “Physical Exam – How to perform”

FAQ – Summer Sores, Habronemiasis

If your horse has a circular wound on the leg, sheath, penis, or lips (or really anywhere on the body), it could be a summer sore. Please have a look at these articles on summer sore identification, treatment, and prevention: Please ring your vet for their favorite summer sore concoction. The principles of a summerContinue reading “FAQ – Summer Sores, Habronemiasis”

FAQ – Anhidrosis, Non-sweating

If your horse is not sweating or is not sweating enough despite high ambient temperatures, he or she may have anhidrosis. A terbutaline sweat test can be done by your vet to confirm complete or partial anhidrosis. Some of the common remedies for non-sweating include: Have a look at these articles for more information: ByContinue reading “FAQ – Anhidrosis, Non-sweating”

FAQ – Sleep Deprivation and REM Sleep

Over the years, the name of sleep deprivation has changed. It used to be lumped in with narcolepsy, but narcolepsy is quite rare, occurs at exercise or with activity, and has mainly been found in miniatures. Sleep deprivation, however, is much more common and occurs at rest or when things are quiet. REM sleep isContinue reading “FAQ – Sleep Deprivation and REM Sleep”

FAQ – Nasal Discharge – Blood / Pus

Here are a few articles on blood in the nose: https://thehorse.com/17334/equine-epistaxis-what-you-need-to-know https://thehorse.com/128355/bleeding-from-the-ears-nose-or-mouth Because one possible cause of blood from the nostril includes guttural pouch mycosis (fungal erosion into the internal carotid artery), we would consider any nosebleed to be an urgent issue – especially if the bleeding is significant (not just a small drip). HereContinue reading “FAQ – Nasal Discharge – Blood / Pus”

Wildfire Smoke: Protecting Livestock and Pets

By Deb Haines How does fire smoke affect animals? The flames and subsequent smoke can cause eye irritation as well as watering. These animals are also likely to develop excessive nasal discharge. The association also stated that animals can develop inflamed throats as well as burning mouths as a result of the wildfires. As irritatingContinue reading “Wildfire Smoke: Protecting Livestock and Pets”

FAQ – Stifle Lock – Upward Fixation of the Patella

Stifle lock or upward fixation of the patella is a common cause of apparent lameness in horses. Please see the following articles for more information on identification and treatment. Please make a new post if you have additional questions after reading these articles – please indicate that you have read the FAQ when you postContinue reading “FAQ – Stifle Lock – Upward Fixation of the Patella”

Hoof Capsule Cracks

By Dr. Alicia Nolfi Everything that we see externally in the equine foot is a direct result of what is happening internally. The foot is a dynamic organ that has suspension and support components working together to achieve stability and movement. When all components of the foot are healthy and have total recall, the footContinue reading “Hoof Capsule Cracks”

FAQ – COVID-19 and Your Pets

Info posted on 06/04/2020 Here are some answers to the questions I’m sure you are having. As we learn more about the virus, this information may change. From Dr Carrie Jurney:-Only four pets from COVID positive homes have had positive tests (compared to 1.26 million people). Two cats, Two dogs. -In high dose experimental infections,Continue reading “FAQ – COVID-19 and Your Pets”

FAQ – Coprophagia – Eating Manure

In foals from 1 week to 2 months of age, coprophagia is normal and actually incredibly important. See this article for more information: Coprophagy: Conventional Conduct? – The Horse In adults, coprophagia can be due to behavior (boredom), curiosity, or a lack of minerals in the diet. See this article for more information: Horses withContinue reading “FAQ – Coprophagia – Eating Manure”

FAQ – Cribbing

By Dr. Karie Vander Werf & Dr. Teresa Wiley (Teresa Renee) Common Questions & Misconceptions About Cribbing Why do horses crib? Which collar works? How do I stop it? I heard there was a surgery that could be done to stop them? How do I minimize it? Is cribbing “contagious”? Is cribbing hereditary? Cribbing =Continue reading “FAQ – Cribbing”

FAQ – Equine Asthma – COPD – Heaves

Equine asthma has gone through many names over the years. This is because we are continually learning more about the disease. Originally, it was called COPD as it seemed to mimic the human version of the disease. However, more information came to light and it was changed to RAO – recurrent airway obstruction. Now, it’sContinue reading “FAQ – Equine Asthma – COPD – Heaves”

Colic Treatments: Myth Or Fact?

Colic is the most common medical condition of the horse, comprising up to 50 percent of the medical cases seen by the equine practitioner. Colic is not a disease; rather, it is a clinical sign of a disease. While the term “colic” generally refers to pain originating from the abdominal tract, other diseases—laminitis, foaling orContinue reading “Colic Treatments: Myth Or Fact?”

Ticks: what you need to know

By Deb Haines Ticks are a group of ectoparasites responsible for major losses amongst livestock. Ticks can transmit a number of disease-causing organisms to horses. Two of the most common diseases which horse owners should be aware of are anaplasmosis and Lyme disease. Learning to identify ticks can make a difference. Blacklegged ticks, or deerContinue reading “Ticks: what you need to know”

Internal Parasites / Worms

By Deb Haines Equine parasites, usually the eggs or larvae are deposited onto the ground in the manure of an infected horse. Your horse then swallows the eggs or larvae while she grazes in the pasture. These juvenile parasites then mature into egg-laying adults in your horse’s gastrointestinal system. Please read link below to learnContinue reading “Internal Parasites / Worms”

Euthanasia (Equine) – When Is It Time?

By Dr. Amanda Hedges, Dr. Karie Vander Werf & Deb Haines “Is it inhumane to keep him alive? What would YOU do in this situation?” Making end of life decisions can be difficult and emotional. Veterinary medicine and preventative caremeans horses often survive conditions that would result in death in the wild. By providing qualityContinue reading “Euthanasia (Equine) – When Is It Time?”

Vacinating Your Horse: Why It’s Important

By Dr. Kari Vander Werf & Deb Haines PSA: VACCINATE YOUR HORSES. (Note that I am writing this as a Florida veterinarian who also practiced in KS and has seen the devastation of WNV, rabies, tetanus, and most recently (this past week) have had 3 cases of suspected EEE, one so far being positive onContinue reading “Vacinating Your Horse: Why It’s Important”

Horse Poop: What You Need to Know

By Deb Haines Horse manure changes color and consistency depending on their diet. When the horse eats a diet of grass or very bright green rich hay, the manure will be a bright green color when fresh. If the horse is eating paler green hay, the manure will be paler and if the horse isContinue reading “Horse Poop: What You Need to Know”

Common HVC Hoof Questions and Answers

By Deb Haines The saying “No Hoof, No Horse” is very true! Healthy hooves are the foundation for everything you will want to enjoy with your horse. By following some simple management practices and being aware of common hoof ailments you can help keep your horse healthy and happy. Questions and Answers 1) What isContinue reading “Common HVC Hoof Questions and Answers”

Q & A …. How HVC Works

By Deb Haines Horse Vet Corner is a Facebook group dedicated to vets answering members questions about Equine Health and Care. This is a learning site where veterinarians volunteer their time to help further educate horse owners. This group has strict rules for the purpose of keeping it a veterinary site. Please don’t take itContinue reading “Q & A …. How HVC Works”

Q & A.. About the Rules And How HVC Functions

By Deb Haines Q&A …. 1) Where are the group rules kept ?The rules for HVC are kept as the pinned post.Pinned post…..https://www.facebook.com/groups/277077519400687/permalink/277086072733165/ 2) What is a pinned post ?A pinned post is a post that will remain at the top of the group page until removed, used often for rules, announcement and Topic nights.Continue reading “Q & A.. About the Rules And How HVC Functions”