Understanding and Prevention of Horse Diseases
There are numerous horse diseases that every owner must be familiar with to intervene in time and ensure proper treatment. Horse owners often need to consult a veterinarian, which can incur additional costs. However, preventive measures such as adjusting housing conditions and reviewing equipment, feeding, and training can minimize the risk of illness. Our overview provides you with important information to recognize disease symptoms in your horse early and respond appropriately.
Colic in Horses: Symptoms and Immediate Actions
Extreme caution is required when signs of colic appear. If your horse shows restlessness, pawing, rolling, or looks at and kicks its belly, you must act immediately. Colic symptoms may urgently require surgery and can be potentially fatal in severe cases. Therefore, it is crucial to call a veterinarian at the first signs of colic. In our blog post 'Colic - The Dread of Every Horse Lover', you will find more information about colic.
Gastric Ulcers
Gastric ulcers are a common health disorder in horses and can cause severe symptoms such as repeated colics, weight loss, and decreased performance. Diagnosing this condition is complex, but gastroscopy often provides a detailed view of the horse’s stomach condition. Preventive measures can also reduce the risk of developing this disease.
Hoof Abscesses
Hoof abscesses can cause extreme pain in horses, making them unwilling to move. This severe lameness is often initially misinterpreted as a bone fracture. However, a veterinarian can quickly determine with a hoof tester whether it is indeed a hoof abscess, alleviating unnecessary worries. Prompt and appropriate treatment of a hoof abscess is essential to prevent further complications.
Coughing
Coughing in horses is becoming increasingly common, often associated with Equine Asthma. Environmental conditions and poor-quality hay are frequent causes. It is important that horses showing initial coughing symptoms are examined by a veterinarian promptly to ensure proper treatment and avoid chronic conditions.
Back Pain
Back pain is a common problem in horses, caused by unsuitable Saddles, incorrect loading, or genetic factors. The symptoms are often varied and difficult to recognize. If left untreated, these complaints can lead to serious issues such as carrying exhaustion. Early treatment by a veterinarian, osteopath, or physiotherapist is therefore essential.
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
Exertional rhabdomyolysis is a muscle disease in horses caused by feeding or training errors that lead to muscle cell breakdown. The disease manifests as sudden reluctance to move up to an inability to walk. Horses that must suddenly perform at high levels or whose immune system is weakened by a virus are often affected.
Arthrosis
Arthrosis is a chronic joint disease that commonly affects older horses but can impact any joint. This disease is incurable, but measures exist to prevent worsening. Supportive measures such as special feed supplements and adapted housing conditions can be helpful, and consulting a veterinary naturopath may also be considered.
Thrush
Thrush often develops in wet and muddy environments but can also be promoted by inadequate Hoof Care or unsuitable shoeing. This bacterial disease requires appropriate measures to prevent deterioration. The use of special Hoof Care products and complementary feed supplements has proven effective. In our blog post 'Thrush in Horses - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment', we delve deeper into the disease and provide tips on how to treat thrush properly.
Mud Fever
Once it occurs, mud fever in horses is difficult to treat, especially in winter when wet ground promotes this skin disease. Mud fever can have serious consequences such as lameness and should therefore be taken seriously. Products like the Dermacur Ointment from Keralit can help combat this stubborn condition.
Laminitis
Laminitis is an inflammatory disease of the hoof laminae that can become chronic without treatment. It arises from various causes that trigger different forms of laminitis. These include endotoxemic laminitis due to infectious diseases, toxic laminitis from ingesting poisonous plants, nutritional laminitis caused by excessive carbohydrates, and hormonally induced laminitis caused by elevated cortisol levels.
Wind-Sucking
Wind-sucking is often seen as a bothersome habit but is a serious behavioral disorder usually caused by high stress. This can result from lack of exercise, insufficient contact with other horses, or long feeding intervals. To prevent wind-sucking, the cause should first be identified and, if necessary, housing conditions adjusted.
Strangles
Strangles is a highly contagious disease in horses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi. The infection leads to inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, resulting in swollen lymph nodes and breathing difficulties. Although strangles is not notifiable, it is important to isolate affected animals to prevent further infections.
PSSM
PSSM is a hereditary muscle disease in horses understood as a chronic form of exertional rhabdomyolysis. There are two types, PSSM1 and PSSM2, which show different symptoms and require specific treatment. Diagnosis requires adjustments in feeding, housing conditions, and training to maintain the horse’s quality of life and minimize complications. Our blog post 'PSSM in Horses - A Challenge for Horse Owners and Veterinarians' deals intensively with this mysterious disease, its symptoms, and treatment options.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy in horses is often difficult to distinguish from REM sleep deprivation and challenging to diagnose. This disease is incurable, but symptoms can often be controlled through medication and adapted housing conditions, although a complete cure cannot be guaranteed.
Laryngeal Hemiplegia
Laryngeal hemiplegia, also known as "roaring," is a condition where horses develop a whistling breathing sound due to paralysis of the nerves in the larynx. This disease is often congenital but can rarely be caused by infections or fungi. Although once considered a performance defect, it can now be successfully treated surgically to control symptoms.
Heaves
Heaves refers to chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) in horses, leading to breathing difficulties, severe coughing, and reduced performance. Modern housing conditions, such as limited fresh air supply and Dry Food, often contribute to its development. Although the disease is incurable, symptoms can be managed with appropriate measures.
Herpes
Equine herpes is an extremely contagious viral disease that occurs in nine variants and can sometimes be fatal. Although about 90% of horses carry the virus, it usually becomes active only during immune weakness or stress. In Germany, herpes in horses is not notifiable, although it can spread rapidly.
Cataracts
Cataracts in horses often occur as a result of chronic eye inflammation but can also have genetic causes or be due to metabolic disease. There are three types: cortical cataract, total cataract, and nuclear cataract. Although an outbreak cannot be prevented, it is important to have eye diseases treated by a veterinarian early to minimize risks.
Overweight
Overweight in horses can cause a range of health problems, including overload of joints, tendons, and limbs, as well as respiratory and circulatory issues. Overweight horses are also more susceptible to laminitis. Especially in young, still-growing animals, overweight can lead to serious orthopedic problems.
Which Horse Diseases Are Notifiable?
Not all diseases like colic or gastric ulcers must be reported. However, if signs of a contagious disease appear, a veterinarian must report it to the veterinary authority. Due to globalization and international horse trade, authorities regularly update the list of notifiable diseases to respond to new threats.
Conclusion
In summary, veterinary medicine today faces the challenge more than ever to deal with new horse diseases, identify their symptoms, and develop treatment methods. Horse owners are required to be vigilant about changes in their animals’ behavior and act accordingly. Our list of horse diseases is designed to help recognize initial symptoms and correctly classify contagious diseases.
