Horse Owner′s Veterinary Handbook - Hardcover

Gore DVM, Thomas; Gore, Paula; Giffin MD, James M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470126795 ISBN 13: 9780470126790

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2008

Synopsis

Completely updated with the latest information on infectious diseases, parasites, breeding and foaling, and alternative therapies, the Horse Owner s Veterinary Handbook, Third Edition is still as useful and easy to navigate as the original, classic text. With an index of signs and symptoms, a guide to the organs and body systems, a general index, cross–references, and a helpful glossary, this book will help you diagnose and treat your horse. You will appreciate the well–organized contents, which will help you find the information you need quickly, when your horse needs your help most.

About this title

About the Author

Thomas Gore, DVM, has been practicing veterinary medicine for over thirty years. Growing up on a cattle ranch in the mountains of western Colorado, he has been caring for, and caring about, horses all his life.

Paula Gore, MT ASCP, began training colts when she was fifteen years old. Her equine experiences include racetrack work, an Arabian breeding facility, showing in both English and Western disciplines, competing in team penning, and cattle work.

From the Back Cover

A fully updated edition of the classic equine health reference an indispensable guide for every horse owner

Chock–full of information, the latest edition of the trusted classic is organized to allow you to find what you need with confidence and ease.

• A special Index of Signs and Symptoms is on the inside of the front cover for fast referral. Consult this if your horse exhibits any symptoms or unexplained behavior.

• A detailed Contents list outlines the organs and body systems that are the sites of disease.

• A General Index gives you a comprehensive guide to the book′s medical information. Bolded page numbers help you identify more detailed coverage of the subject.

• Cross–references note pertinent supplementary information.

• A Glossary defines medical terms that are commonly used by veterinarians.

• As a bonus, go online to find additional references on: sample reference values for laboratory tests, and guides to antibiotics, antifungals, antiprotozoals, and common drugs your veterinarian might prescribe.

From the Inside Flap

The most comprehensive, up–to–date horse care book available

This all–new edition of the popular classic contains important updates and new information on the latest veterinary practices and research. It gives you trusted guidance and immediate answers when the vet′s office is closed, potentially life–saving instructions for emergency situations, and additional insight post–diagnosis. New and updated information includes:

• Vaccinations, drugs, and dewormers

• Pigeon Fever and West Nile Virus

• New fertility treatments and methods for monitoring estrus and pregnancy, and coverage of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome

• Foal CPR and newborn care

• Advancements in dental health, orthopedic problems, colic, fractures and breaks, cancer, genetics, and more

• Enhanced coverage of geriatric care and health concerns in the older horse

• Alternative therapies, including massage, chiropractic care, osteopathic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, and nutraceuticals

• The latest nutrition guidelines from The National Research Council

• Expanded guidance on common forage and landscape toxins

With the guidance of this book and a good working partnership with your veterinarian, you can keep your beloved horse healthy for life.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook

John Wiley & Sons

Copyright © 2008 Thomas Gore
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-470-12679-0

Chapter One

EMERGENCIES

Emergency care is just that-care applied to a potentially serious condition that must be dealt with immediately. One of the cardinal rules in dealing with any emergency is for you to remain calm. If you panic, you won't be thinking clearly and you will panic your horse. Take a deep breath, quietly reassure your horse, and then do what is necessary. Don't hesitate to ask for help and remember that your horse is relying on you.

Handling and Restraint

A horse who is frightened, injured, or in pain is a potential danger to himself and to his handlers. Do not handle or attempt to treat an agitated horse without professional assistance. In most cases, an injured horse will need to be given an intravenous sedative or be tranquilized before treatment can begin.

Most horses should be restrained for routine procedures such as shoeing, applying insecticides, floating the teeth, deworming, and giving injections. When restrained, a well-socialized horse recognizes that he is going to be handled and submits readily to the customary treatment.

The method of restraint will depend on the horse's disposition and spirit, his prior training, the duration of treatment, and whether the procedure is likely to cause pain. In general, it is best to begin with the least severe restraint that will allow examination.

Some specific methods for handling and restraint are discussed in this section.

Head Restraint

Even when a procedure is relatively minor and painless, it is still important to have an assistant restrain the horse's head. The assistant should hold the lead and be prepared to divert the horse's attention. The assistant should stand on the same side as the examiner, to keep the horse from wheeling into or kicking the examiner. Both should be on the left side whenever possible, because horses are used to being handled on the left.

A simple and effective method of restraining the head is to have the assistant hold the horse's muzzle with the left hand and the nape of the neck with the right (as shown in the photo at the top of page 3). To prevent the horse from ducking, the left thumb is inserted beneath the noseband of the halter. This method is useful for procedures such as floating the teeth.

When an assistant is not available, you can restrain the horse's head by cross-tying the horse between two walls or posts. The tie ropes should be anchored firmly at about the level of the horse's shoulders and snapped onto the halter. Tie the anchored ends with a slipknot for quick release.

Halter and Lead

The first step in dealing with a frightened or difficult horse is to gain control with the halter and lead. Approach the horse from the front while talking in a soothing and familiar manner. Never approach a horse from the rear or out of his line of vision.

If the horse is agitated, take as much time as necessary to gain his confidence. It is best to approach from the left, because horses are used to being handled from that side. Rub the horse on the shoulder or neck for a few moments to establish physical contact and to help calm the horse. Then slip the halter over his nose and tighten the buckle.

Always lead from the left side, holding the shank about 18 inches from the halter. Hold the lead firmly but do not wrap it around your hand or thumb; this would be unsafe if the horse decided to pull back or jump away and the lead was wrapped around your hand. When administering treatment, don't tie the lead shank to a fence or post. Many horses restrained in this manner for treatment will sit back forcefully on their haunches, invariably breaking the fence or a piece of tack. If the horse realizes he can escape by force, it will be extremely difficult to tie that horse up in the future. If you are forced to work alone, cross-tie the horse as described in the previous section.

The least aggressive restraint is to pass the lead shank under the horse's chin. This restraint will suffice for most handling situations. However, if the horse rears, do not jerk on the chain as it could cause him to fall over backward.

A chain shank or war bridle should be removed whenever a horse is tied. If the horse becomes upset and pulls back, the bridle or shank will constrict around his head or muzzle and cause serious injury.

Another method that can be used for a horse who refuses to advance on the lead (for example, through a door) is to blindfold the horse and then either lead or back him through the door.

Twitches

Twitches are among the oldest and most widely used methods of restraint. A twitch is thought to stimulate the release of endorphins in a manner similar to acupuncture and to produce sedation comparable in degree to chemical tranquilization.

Some horses should not be twitched. Because of past abuse, they may greatly resent the twitch and even fight it. These horses should be restrained in some other manner.

The skin twitch is applied by grasping a fold of skin just in front of the horse's shoulder. It may provide enough distraction for you to perform short procedures.

The ear twitch is applied by grasping and squeezing the ear with the heel of the hand pressed against the horse's scalp. Slight pressure is exerted downward. The major disadvantage of the ear twitch is that it can make the horse head-shy. Therefore, the ear twitch should be used cautiously and only by experienced horsemen.

The nose twitch and the lip twitch are used most often. However, they tend to lose their effectiveness when the skin becomes numb. To delay numbness, the twitch can be applied loosely and tightened as necessary. To apply a nose twitch, first grasp the upper lip between thumb and fingers to steady the head. Slip the loop over the horse's nose with the lip folded under so that the lining of the mouth is not exposed. Tighten the loop by twisting the handle.

The most humane twitch is a lip twitch attached to the halter so that it can't come off during the procedure. This twitch is a simple clamp with a string and a snap attached to the handles. Place your hand through the open twitch, firmly grasp the horse's nose, slide the twitch onto the nose, squeeze the handles together, wrap the string around the handles, and attach the snap to the halter to hold it in place. The lip twitch is especially useful when you are unfamiliar with horse restraints or are obliged to work alone.

Handling the Feet

To pick up the front foot, stand to the side in case the horse strikes out. Slide your hand down the horse's leg while squeezing on either side of the flexor tendon above the fetlock. It may be necessary to push the horse onto the opposite leg while picking up the foot and flexing the joint.

When preparing to pick up a back foot, approach from the side. A horse who resents being approached from behind sometimes (but not always) gives evidence by moving away and taking weight off the leg in preparation for kicking. For safety reasons, do not approach him from the rear.

To pick up the foot, slide your hand along the inside of the leg behind the cannon bone and draw the leg forward, then pull backward. Lift the leg and support it on your thigh. Note that the stifle joint is extended and the hock and toe are held in a flexed position. This helps to restrict voluntary movement of the leg.

When releasing the foot, simply reverse the procedure.

Preventing the Horse from Kicking

If a horse is inclined to kick while undergoing treatment, lifting a front leg will prevent him from doing so because a horse cannot kick with one foot off the ground. The leg can be restrained by tying it up with a rope or strap. The rope or strap should be equipped with a quick-release mechanism in case the horse loses his balance. You'll need a sideline to tie up a back leg.

Hobbling the hocks prevents kicking and allows the horse to bear weight on all four legs. This is important for long procedures or when a mare has to support the weight of a mounting stallion.

Stocks

For rectal and vaginal examinations, it is most convenient to restrain the horse in stocks or a palpation chute. In addition, stocks are particularly suitable for dental extractions and surgery on a standing horse. A partition at the back of the stock protects the examiner from being kicked. Once in stocks, the horse should be backed up against the partition to prevent him from kicking over the top.

Tail Restraint

Tying a rope to the tail and pulling it straight back is a useful restraint for rectal and vaginal examinations. The rope should be held by an assistant and not tied to a stationary object.

Restraining a Foal

Young foals who are not halter-broken but are wearing a halter should not be restrained by grasping the halter. These young horses often react by rearing back and falling. This can lead to a brain concussion or a spine fracture. Instead, another kind of tail restraint is a good way to control weanlings who are not halter-broken. (Forced tail flexion should be used with caution in older horses, because coccygeal fractures and nerve injuries may occur.)

Grasp the foal's tail and pull it over the back in an arc while encircling the base of his neck with your other arm. This provides effective immobilization for short procedures, such as passing a stomach tube or giving an injection.

Nursing foals become excessively agitated and difficult to control if separated from their dams. If the foal cannot be approached easily in the paddock or field, mother and foal should both be led into a small enclosure such as a smooth-walled stall. The foal is then cornered and can be easily held with one arm encircling his chest and the other behind the rear legs above the hocks. The tail can be held over the back, as well.

Chemical Restraint

Intravenous sedation is indicated for horses who resist physical restraint, and for those in pain or about to undergo a painful procedure. Intravenous sedation is given by injection into the jugular vein. Depending on the circumstances, your veterinarian may select a drug or drug combination from the following classes.

Phenothiazines (such as acepromazine) are tranquilizers that act on the central nervous system to produce calming and deep drowsiness. Rarely, they produce extreme anxiety, muscle twitching, dropping of the penis, sweating, and convulsions.

Narcotics (such as morphine, Demerol, and butorphanol) are painkillers. When used in pain-free horses, they may produce excitation, apprehension, and increased muscular activity. Constipation and urinary retention are possible side effects. Untoward effects can be reversed by giving an antidote. Xylazine (Rompun) combines both tranquilization and pain control. It has a good margin of safety and can be used in combination with other drugs for better sedation and anesthesia. It is often the drug of choice for procedures requiring intravenous sedation. Drugs such as detomidine (Dormosedan), romifidine (Sedivet), and other alpha-2 agonists are gaining popularity.

Keep in mind that the effects of tranquilizers and sedatives vary. A horse may still kick or strike even though he seemed to be fully tranquilized. Exercise the same precautions as you would around a horse who is not sedated. Sedated horses should be kept away from forage and concentrate until they are fully awake to prevent choking.

For more information on tranquilizers and sedatives, see Anesthetics and Tranquilizers (page 588).

Abdominal Pain (Colic)

Sudden, severe pain in the abdomen in the horse is called colic. A horse with colic appears anxious and upset, and may kick at his abdomen, roll on his back, kick his feet in the air, break out in a sweat, and strain as if he is trying to pass urine or stool.

Treatment: Colic is a symptom rather than a specific disease. There are a great many diseases associated with signs of colic. Accordingly, a veterinary examination is necessary to determine the nature and seriousness of the problem. For more information, see Colic (page 381).

Burns

Burns are caused by fire, electric shocks, skin friction, frostbite, and caustic chemicals. Acids, alkalis, solutions that contain iodine, and petroleum products are the most common causes of chemical burns. Saddle sores, galls, rope burns, and friction injuries are discussed in chapter 4, "The Skin and Coat."

Frostbite usually affects the ears and can lead to a loss of skin and cartilage, leaving a cropped appearance.

Steam, hot water scalds, and flame burns cause damage to the skin and underlying tissue in proportion to the length and intensity of exposure. With a surface burn you will see skin redness, occasional blistering, perhaps slight swelling, and the burn is painful. With deep burns the skin appears white and the hair comes out easily when pulled. Paradoxically, deep burns are not necessarily painful because the nerve endings may have been destroyed. When more than 20 percent of the body surface is involved in a deep burn, the outlook is poor. Fluid losses are excessive and shock will quickly set in.

Treatment: Treat chemical, acid, and alkali burns by flushing copiously with large amounts of lukewarm water. To be effective, this must be done immediately after the exposure.

Apply cold water compresses or ice packs to local burns for 30 minutes to relieve pain. Replace as compresses become warm. Clip away hair and wash gently with a mild soap, such as Ivory. Do not break blisters, because they provide a natural barrier to infection. Apply a topical antibiotic ointment such as Furacin, Silvadene cream, or triple antibiotic ointment. Aloe vera cream has medicinal properties and is particularly soothing on mild burns. Do not apply oil, grease, or iodine-containing surgical cleansing solutions, because they are irritating and will increase the depth of the burn and thus the potential for infection.

Burns can be treated by leaving them open to the air, or closed under a bandage or dressing, depending on the location of the injury. Where practical, protect the wound with an outer gauze dressing and change it daily (see Wounds, page 32).

Cardiovascular Collapse

Too much stress on the heart can lead to sudden circulatory collapse. In racehorses, the stress is that of maximum physical exertion over a relatively short period of time. In hard-working performance and endurance horses, the stress is less than the maximum but occurs over an extended period of time. The initial signs are those of exhausted horse syndrome (page 13). If the exercise is continued, collapse will follow.

Sudden Collapse

During maximal physical exercise, the cardiac output of a racehorse increases to seven times normal, while the heart rate increases to 200 beats per minute (from a normal 35 to 45 beats per minute at rest). Blood flow through skeletal muscles may be 20 times that of the resting state.

Under such circumstances, the equine heart muscle labors under a sustained deficiency of oxygen, a condition known as hypoxia. A switch to anaerobic metabolism may sustain the heart for some time, but with continued exertion, a point is eventually reached at which the heart can no longer supply enough oxygen to the muscles. At this point, the heart may decompensate and the horse will collapse.

Cardiac arrhythmias are thought to be the immediate cause of sudden cardiovascular decompensation (see Arrhythmias, page 318). Contrary to popular belief, horses with arrhythmias usually do not drop dead under the rider. The first indication is an abrupt drop in running speed. This alerts the rider and allows her to pull up and dismount.

The ability of a horse to tolerate cardiovascular stress is directly related to his athletic fitness. Fitness depends on how well the horse has been trained and conditioned. To achieve a high level of conditioning, a horse must be free of health problems, including anemia, valvular disease, myocarditis, intestinal parasites, bronchitis, and heaves-which compromise the efficiency of the heart and lungs.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook Copyright © 2008 by Thomas Gore. Excerpted by permission.
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Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0470126795
• ISBN 13: 9780470126790
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 720