I would like more information on overriding dorsal spinous processes – kissing spine. I especially would like to know how this disease can affect a senior horse and about treatment and medication. – via HorseChannel.com Known as “kissing spines” by…
Blog Archives
Symptoms of Ulcers
I recently bought a Thoroughbred mare that is seriously underweight. I’m worried that she might have ulcers. I’ve had her for a few weeks on grain and 24/7 hay and she doesn’t seem to be gaining any weight. How can…
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions
Help for a Horse with Lyme Disease
My 21-year-old Thoroughbred suffers from chronic lameness and was recently diagnosed with Lyme’s disease. He completed his month long treatment of doxycycline and appears to be slightly improved. He gets Phenylbutazone daily as well as SmartPak Senior. Is there anything…
Posted in Diseases and Conditions
Supplementing a Horse with Anemia
I recently had my horse’s blood tested due to concern of anemia. He is a 4 yr old WB/TB, gelded just a few months ago. During work he has plenty of energy and is very fit, but he is the…
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions
Tying Up in Horses (exertional rhabomyolysis)
I have a question regarding the issue of tying up. I’ve decided to put together a SmartPak for my horse, Liam, to aid in his muscle development. He’s very young (5) and we imported him from Ireland about a year…
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions
Supplementing Chronic Conditions in the Senior Horse
What supplements are prudent–and not overzealous nor likely to interact adversely–for a 20-yr old, still showing (dressage), gelding with these four chronic conditions: Equine Cushings (endogenous ACTH=75, starting peroglide this month, no textbook symptoms, new diagnosis) Hock arthritis (IA injections,…
Managing Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) in Your Horse
My horse was just diagnosed with Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy, he is now on Poulin Grain Carb Safe. Can you explain more about this, and how to keep the total carbohydrate level at 12% or below? Thank you. – SK,…
Posted in Diseases and Conditions
Heaves in Horses – What to do?
I have a 10 year old 1/2 Percheron 1/2 Quarter Horse mare, and we live in the Midwest outside of Chicago. My mare suffers from severe seasonal allergies – she is the worst in spring/fall. She will cough, have a…
Raise Your Joint IQ
Tagged with: Guide to Supplements and Horse Care, Joint Supplements, Supplements
Posted in Basic Health Care, Diseases and Conditions
Posted in Basic Health Care, Diseases and Conditions
Hoof Abscesses and White Line Disease
My 12 year old mare has had 3 abscesses of the hoof in the last year. The vet noted on her most recent episode that “she has lots of separation of the white line of all 4 feet and I feel this is where the abscesses are coming from”.
Tagged with: Ask the Vet, Cushings
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, Skin, Coat & Hooves
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, Skin, Coat & Hooves
Colic prevention for horses on stall rest
“My young Appendix of 26 years just managed to get a severe ligament/tendon injury. We are going to have the stem cell procedure done, but he will still be on stall rest for 4 to 6 months. What do you recommend for colic prevention while he is stuck inside?”
Tagged with: Ask the Vet, ColiCare, Digestion Supplements
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, G.I. Conditions, Nutrition
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, G.I. Conditions, Nutrition
ColiCare™ Presents: Colic 101
Everything you need to know to help keep your horse’s digestive system balanced and healthy.
Tagged with: Digestion Supplements, Guide to Supplements and Horse Care
Posted in Blogs, Diseases and Conditions, Health & Nutrition
Posted in Blogs, Diseases and Conditions, Health & Nutrition
From AAEP’s Ask the Vet: Feeding the Cushing’s horse
“Hello, I have a Cushing’s mare who is really sweet, she isn’t too bad yet but definitely has it. She isn’t on Pergolide yet, I will probably put her on it in a few years, depending on her condition. I don’t know what to feed her, she is slightly overweight, but it’s more of the muscle wasting so she looks like she is overweight. I don’t know if I should feed her a high protein/low fat or a high fat/ low protein diet…”
Keep Your Finger on the (Digital) Pulse
“My vet told me that a “bounding pulse” indicates a problem. I am having a hard time determining what constitutes “bounding”. Sometimes I am able to easily feel the pulse though it does not seem hard or fast. When I have felt the pulse, my horse does not seem to be in pain and is moving freely and easily. Other times I am not able to find the pulse and he seems a bit ouchy…Am I over thinking this or should I be concerned that I am finding such variance in the pulse?”
Tagged with: Ask the Vet
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, Lameness, Skin, Coat & Hooves
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, Lameness, Skin, Coat & Hooves
Joint Deterioration in the Older Horse
“I have a 19 year old thoroughbred gelding. He is 17.3 and has just been diagnosed with arthritis and fairly severe joint deterioration. I have had a hard time finding information on the best way to treat him. I would like to keep riding him if that’s possible. I do dressage with him. How would you suggest treating him? I want to keep him out of pain as much as possible. I also am on a fairly tight budget which makes treatment even harder.” – HG
