Monday, October 31, 2011
Old horses? Don't tell them they're old!
Just spoke with a client of over 20 years. He just returned from the USTRC team roping in Oklahoma City. His #1 horse is 24 years old, and still performing well. This is almost becoming the norm. A well cared for, 20 year old horse is not necessarily old! What is the secret to a long, healthy performance life? This particular horse has had the best hoof care, every 6-8 weeks, dental exams and floating, (when necessary), spring and fall vaccinations, correctly administered and timed deworming treatments, and the best nutrition (Gro-Rite supplement). This horse is no pasture ornament, he earns his living all year, every year. I have seen this horse and examined him at least twice a year for the past 20 years, and all of the above mentioned services have been provided by me. This owner has allowed me to give this horse the best that I have to offer. The results speak for themselves. This is not an isolated case either. Doing things the best way, is doing things the most cost effective way. Having one good, healthy horse for 20 years, is certainly cheaper and more enjoyable than 2 or 3 over the same time period. So if you've got a good one, or one with the potential to be good, give them what they deserve. Give them the chance to excel and have the best, longest life possible. Call me, I think I have the recipe!
Monday, September 19, 2011
"Colic Season" Prepare for Fall
The cool temperatures of fall are a great thing. But over the years there is always a pattern that develops during the fall in the equine veterinary world- more colic. I see more cases of colic in the fall than at any other time of year. Rarely do these cases become severe enough to need surgery, but some tips to help avoid the problem might be a good idea.
You've probably noticed that as the cooler temperatures come on, our horses drink less water. Drinking less water can contribute to dehydration and impaction colic. This would be similar to being "constipated". The first signs you see are a tired attitude, off feed, and then more frequent laying down than normal. If treated at this stage, the outcome is almost always successful. Waiting, can be the worst thing to do. Even giving a dose of Banamine can be a bad idea because it can reduce the pain or discomfort associated with impaction, but it does nothing for the real cause of the pain. Getting water and/or oil down the horse with a nasogastric tube is the most important thing to do. Treating a mild colic has a much higher success rate than waiting and then treating a serious life threatening colic.
I have heard of people trying to give their horse oil by squirting it into their mouth. Even some have tried to use vegetable oil, thinking it is the same as mineral oil. WRONG!! This is a real bad idea because trying to force water/oil/or whatever, down a horses throat can get you a very serious case of Aspiration pneumonia by getting the fluids into the horses lungs by mistake. The ONLY way to get sufficient water or oil in to your horse, is by the nasogastric tube or IV fluids. (This is where we say, "DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME")
One other tip. Salt drives thirst. So adding some form of salt into their diet can stimulate thirst and increase water intake. The best way to do this is to give two cups of GRO RITE daily in a small amount of grain. This way they get the benefits of a vitamin mineral supplement, and all of the electrolytes (these would be very salty in nature). And always have a WHITE salt block available for your horses.
Other routine things to get ready for winter are dental exams/floating, and flu rhino vaccinations. A horse with poor dentition will not be able to handle the forage as well, and this can lead to weight loss, or even colic.
As the nights get cooler, and the days are still fairly warm, this creates a temperature disparity that creates a fair bit of stress on our horses. Upper respiratory infections become common because of these conditions. The best preventive is vaccination against the influenza and rhinopneumonitis viruses. The "Rhino" virus, is the virus that we all heard about this past summer. In talking with Veterinarians across the country, it is the general opinion that two specific vaccines are more effective in protecting against these viruses. Calvenza, flu vaccine, and Rhinomune, rhinopneumonitis vaccine are the two that I recommend.
Therefore, our to do list this fall for our horses should be;
Check teeth, correct any abnormalities before winter, Have horses at optimum body condition before the onset of winter
Vaccinate against Flu, Rhino with Calvenza and Rhinomune
Feed Gro Rite, two cups daily, for vitamin/mineral supplementation, and increased water intake
Deworm with Ivermectin after the first hard freeze
Have horses on a regular schedule with your farrier
You've probably noticed that as the cooler temperatures come on, our horses drink less water. Drinking less water can contribute to dehydration and impaction colic. This would be similar to being "constipated". The first signs you see are a tired attitude, off feed, and then more frequent laying down than normal. If treated at this stage, the outcome is almost always successful. Waiting, can be the worst thing to do. Even giving a dose of Banamine can be a bad idea because it can reduce the pain or discomfort associated with impaction, but it does nothing for the real cause of the pain. Getting water and/or oil down the horse with a nasogastric tube is the most important thing to do. Treating a mild colic has a much higher success rate than waiting and then treating a serious life threatening colic.
I have heard of people trying to give their horse oil by squirting it into their mouth. Even some have tried to use vegetable oil, thinking it is the same as mineral oil. WRONG!! This is a real bad idea because trying to force water/oil/or whatever, down a horses throat can get you a very serious case of Aspiration pneumonia by getting the fluids into the horses lungs by mistake. The ONLY way to get sufficient water or oil in to your horse, is by the nasogastric tube or IV fluids. (This is where we say, "DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME")
One other tip. Salt drives thirst. So adding some form of salt into their diet can stimulate thirst and increase water intake. The best way to do this is to give two cups of GRO RITE daily in a small amount of grain. This way they get the benefits of a vitamin mineral supplement, and all of the electrolytes (these would be very salty in nature). And always have a WHITE salt block available for your horses.
Other routine things to get ready for winter are dental exams/floating, and flu rhino vaccinations. A horse with poor dentition will not be able to handle the forage as well, and this can lead to weight loss, or even colic.
As the nights get cooler, and the days are still fairly warm, this creates a temperature disparity that creates a fair bit of stress on our horses. Upper respiratory infections become common because of these conditions. The best preventive is vaccination against the influenza and rhinopneumonitis viruses. The "Rhino" virus, is the virus that we all heard about this past summer. In talking with Veterinarians across the country, it is the general opinion that two specific vaccines are more effective in protecting against these viruses. Calvenza, flu vaccine, and Rhinomune, rhinopneumonitis vaccine are the two that I recommend.
Therefore, our to do list this fall for our horses should be;
Check teeth, correct any abnormalities before winter, Have horses at optimum body condition before the onset of winter
Vaccinate against Flu, Rhino with Calvenza and Rhinomune
Feed Gro Rite, two cups daily, for vitamin/mineral supplementation, and increased water intake
Deworm with Ivermectin after the first hard freeze
Have horses on a regular schedule with your farrier
Monday, July 18, 2011
ehv-1 hysteria, what did we learn?
Well, the excitement and hysteria has past, I think. So I am left wondering what we have learned. I have learned that many times, we don't want to believe the truth, we would rather believe the facts that generate emotion and excitement. The truth can be rather dull sometimes. SO what is the truth about EHV-1. Truth is, 80% of the horse population HAS the virus in their systems. They cannot get rid of it. In the same way that many of us harbor the herpes virus that causes cold sores. When we get stressed, or sick, that is when the virus makes itself manifest, by producing cold sores. Well, the EHV-1 virus is a herpes virus. As such the immune system of the horse cannot get rid of it. But just because your horse has the virus, (and it probably does), does not mean that it has the disease. Fact is, the vast majority of horses will never have THE disease, but they will harbor the virus. As we vaccinate against this virus, the object is not to get rid of the virus (we can't), but to keep it under control. A good example is the 3 Rhino vaccinations we give mares through their gestation. (the rhinopneumonitis virus is the EHV-1,4 virus).
Their is some anecdotal (unproven) evidence that horses vaccinated with two certain types of "high" antigen, or Modified live virus vaccines may have a lower incidence of this neurological form of herpes virus disease. Call me if you want to know more. (you're probably sick of hearing about this anyway, right?) Anyway, I have the answers without any excitement and hysteria. (boring)
Sad thing is, most of the horse events around the country didn't need to be cancelled. There is no containing a virus that the general population carries anyway. Oh well, I will stop there. I could be accused of not caring, but knowledge is power right? That is how I have stayed calm throughout this storm.
I did hear reports of Veterinarians that were testing horses for the virus. If the horse came back positive, then treatment was initiated. Wrong!! Remember, most horses will TEST positive, but if they have no symptoms, they are just carriers, just like 80% of the horse population. The only thing treatment will do is empty your pocket book!
Have nice ride!
Their is some anecdotal (unproven) evidence that horses vaccinated with two certain types of "high" antigen, or Modified live virus vaccines may have a lower incidence of this neurological form of herpes virus disease. Call me if you want to know more. (you're probably sick of hearing about this anyway, right?) Anyway, I have the answers without any excitement and hysteria. (boring)
Sad thing is, most of the horse events around the country didn't need to be cancelled. There is no containing a virus that the general population carries anyway. Oh well, I will stop there. I could be accused of not caring, but knowledge is power right? That is how I have stayed calm throughout this storm.
I did hear reports of Veterinarians that were testing horses for the virus. If the horse came back positive, then treatment was initiated. Wrong!! Remember, most horses will TEST positive, but if they have no symptoms, they are just carriers, just like 80% of the horse population. The only thing treatment will do is empty your pocket book!
Have nice ride!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
EHV-1 update
5 horses have been confirmed positive at one location in Utah. Now we will wait to see if they show symptoms.
EHV-1 update
From all of the western states reporting, 23 confirmed, 24 suspects, and 4 dead or euthanized. NO confirmed cases in Utah.
One other fact. In outbreaks of this same disease in the past, in other parts of the country, there was a pattern that emerged. Those horses that were vaccinated most frequently for "flu-rhino" had the highest incidence of the neurological form of EHV-1. The reason is that immune complexes which are formed when vaccinating, are involved in the nerve damage with this disease. Therefore, DO NOT vaccinate your horses beyond what is normally recommended.
One other fact. In outbreaks of this same disease in the past, in other parts of the country, there was a pattern that emerged. Those horses that were vaccinated most frequently for "flu-rhino" had the highest incidence of the neurological form of EHV-1. The reason is that immune complexes which are formed when vaccinating, are involved in the nerve damage with this disease. Therefore, DO NOT vaccinate your horses beyond what is normally recommended.
EHV-1 hysteria
Our phones are ringing off the hook! Understandably so. The thought of our horses being endangered by a deadly virus is scary. But the Internet, texting, twitter hysteria has blown the extent and seriousness of this outbreak to outlandish proportion! So let's look at the facts (science).
1. If you or your horses have had no contact with the horses at the ogden cutting show in April 30 - may 8, then the risk of your horses contacting the disease are no higher than normal. You see, if no cases are documented in Utah, then we know that the neurological form of rhino (ehv-1), came and went with the horses that HAVE been proven with the disease from colorado and California.
2. If you voluntarily isolate your horses (stay at home) for 3 weeks, no cases are documented in Utah, and yours show no symptoms, you are fine.
3. you can have your horses tested (scientifically proven) with a simple blood test and nasal swab.cost is $100.
End of story. Science can really simplify the situation if you can look past the hysteria that we love to perpetuate.
We then are left with a philosophical question. In our modern society we are inundated with information. I said "information", not necessarily facts, or truth. This begs the question,"with all that we hear, what and who do we believe?"
I believe that most of what we read and hear is merely information, and not truth, or fact. With this last outbreak, my point is proven. I see many people making decisions based on information (much of it inaccurate), and not facts. Facts take effort to discover, whereas info comes at us freely, and all to easily.
My personal feeling is to NOT take anything at face value, until I have investigated the facts, and found them for myself. Decisions based on fact (real science), will result in better decisions.
Give me just the facts, please.
1. If you or your horses have had no contact with the horses at the ogden cutting show in April 30 - may 8, then the risk of your horses contacting the disease are no higher than normal. You see, if no cases are documented in Utah, then we know that the neurological form of rhino (ehv-1), came and went with the horses that HAVE been proven with the disease from colorado and California.
2. If you voluntarily isolate your horses (stay at home) for 3 weeks, no cases are documented in Utah, and yours show no symptoms, you are fine.
3. you can have your horses tested (scientifically proven) with a simple blood test and nasal swab.cost is $100.
End of story. Science can really simplify the situation if you can look past the hysteria that we love to perpetuate.
We then are left with a philosophical question. In our modern society we are inundated with information. I said "information", not necessarily facts, or truth. This begs the question,"with all that we hear, what and who do we believe?"
I believe that most of what we read and hear is merely information, and not truth, or fact. With this last outbreak, my point is proven. I see many people making decisions based on information (much of it inaccurate), and not facts. Facts take effort to discover, whereas info comes at us freely, and all to easily.
My personal feeling is to NOT take anything at face value, until I have investigated the facts, and found them for myself. Decisions based on fact (real science), will result in better decisions.
Give me just the facts, please.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Satisfaction, finally
The other day it was cold and windy outside, which makes for a slow business day. Luckily, I have my personal horses close by. It was a great opportunity to take care of the things I had neglected such as; dentals, vaccinations, deworming, sheath cleaning, clipping, doing an eye exam, etc. It was really fun AND mostly SATISFYING to finally have them in top shape for the upcoming summer of roping and riding. My grey horse (Trey) had been throwing his head when I was holding him back (in the roping box), and so I suspected he had sharp molar points. Yep, sure enough. So the next time I roped, there was a noticeable difference, and improvement in his demeanor and performance. Believe me, I was watching very closely to evaluate what difference it would make. My other geldings, AL and Jim, hadn't had their sheaths cleaned for over a year. I am a bit embarrassed to say the they had very large "beans" in their urethral orificees!! If you're not familiar with that, call me and I will explain it to you. But needless to say, I felt better every time they urinated, as I am sure they did.
There is a new vaccine that combines Brain fever, Tetanus, Influenza, rhinopneumonitis, and West Nile virus in one injection! It is $10 less also, what a bonus (finally)! And the protection lasts for over a year. So even this early in the year we can vaccinate and be assured that all will be well for the summer. I also felt much better about just stabbing my horses just once, instead of 3 times! (second bonus!)
While I had them in the clinic, and had the time, I took my opthalmoscope and looked at the inner structures of their eyes. I had just attended an opthalmology seminar (eyes) and so I was "up to speed" and wanting to see something strange. Luckily, I didn't see anything abnormal, which is a relief. So the next time Al, my old bay, spooks at the same rock he has spooked at for 15 years on Antelope Island, I will know that it is not because of any vision problem!
As I stood back and looked at them, I took out my clippers and clipped the long fetlock hairs that catch all of the mud in the spring, trimmed manes, bridal paths, whiskers, and anything that looked out of place. This was no "show clip", but for a old vet and roper it was pretty "shiny".
So with all of the annual "spring work" done on my horses, I feel really good about how they will perform, knowing that there are no obvious physical impediments. I had finished shoeing them, and am up to date on that also (extremely important). So guess what? I am left without excuse, any performance deficiencies that might arise in the next few months will probably be MINE!
I feel a pretty good level of satisfaction knowing my horses are all tuned up, fed well, comfortable when they are asked to perform, and in optimum health.
If you have been thinking that you need to get the same "stuff" done for your horse, come in now while business is slow. That way I can lend you my clippers, we can look in those eyes, you'll save $10, and we can take all the time we need. Then you can have that feeling of satisfaction that all is well and you're ready to go!
There is a new vaccine that combines Brain fever, Tetanus, Influenza, rhinopneumonitis, and West Nile virus in one injection! It is $10 less also, what a bonus (finally)! And the protection lasts for over a year. So even this early in the year we can vaccinate and be assured that all will be well for the summer. I also felt much better about just stabbing my horses just once, instead of 3 times! (second bonus!)
While I had them in the clinic, and had the time, I took my opthalmoscope and looked at the inner structures of their eyes. I had just attended an opthalmology seminar (eyes) and so I was "up to speed" and wanting to see something strange. Luckily, I didn't see anything abnormal, which is a relief. So the next time Al, my old bay, spooks at the same rock he has spooked at for 15 years on Antelope Island, I will know that it is not because of any vision problem!
As I stood back and looked at them, I took out my clippers and clipped the long fetlock hairs that catch all of the mud in the spring, trimmed manes, bridal paths, whiskers, and anything that looked out of place. This was no "show clip", but for a old vet and roper it was pretty "shiny".
So with all of the annual "spring work" done on my horses, I feel really good about how they will perform, knowing that there are no obvious physical impediments. I had finished shoeing them, and am up to date on that also (extremely important). So guess what? I am left without excuse, any performance deficiencies that might arise in the next few months will probably be MINE!
I feel a pretty good level of satisfaction knowing my horses are all tuned up, fed well, comfortable when they are asked to perform, and in optimum health.
If you have been thinking that you need to get the same "stuff" done for your horse, come in now while business is slow. That way I can lend you my clippers, we can look in those eyes, you'll save $10, and we can take all the time we need. Then you can have that feeling of satisfaction that all is well and you're ready to go!
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