The best girth for a horse with ulcers is one that is soft, padded, and has a large contact area (think fat and fluffy). A wider area to distribute the pressure tends to make wearing a girth more comfortable. Extra padding has a similar effect. Look for materials like mohair Read more…
Radiographs (X-rays) are commonly used to diagnose kissing spines. However, it is important to perform a thorough clinical examination and not just rely on X-ray analysis. Thermography, which uses an infrared camera to detect heat patterns, has been shown to be informative in some cases. Can a saddle cause kissing Read more…
Dogs Rolling in Poop May be Using Camouflage Like their predecessors, pet dogs may roll in poop and other unpleasant-smelling material in order to mask their own scent. Wolves, especially, would not want a potential prey animal such as a deer to be able to smell them coming. Why did Read more…
Horsehair worms are harmless to vertebrates, because they can’t parasitize people, livestock, pets, or birds. They also don’t infect plants. Can horsehair worms hurt dogs? Horsehair worms are completely harmless. They do not infest people, livestock, pets, or plants. They are beneficial because of the small percentage of crickets that Read more…
Is hepatitis contagious? It is unclear if some viral causes of hepatitis are contagious, as they can occur in groups. The majority of causes are non-contagious, and more related to environmental factors (toxic plants, biologic products, etc.). How does a horse get hepatitis? The main causes of hepatitis in horses Read more…
In some cases, the reason your dog is attracted to horse poop could be related to malnutrition, an upset stomach, an illness, or something missing from their diet. Horses consume diets full of nutrients, so if your dog lacks them, they might seek out horse poop to fill the void Read more…
They need fiber. Fiber keeps things moving in the digestive tract. Horses that are lacking in fiber may eat dirt, chew on rails, or strip bark from trees. Why would my horse eat dirt? Dirt is a natural part of the equine diet. It contains minerals that a horse may Read more…
Infected horses can shed the virus for up to 14 days post-infection. How long do viral infections last in horses? Typical clinical signs include fever (102 degrees to 106 degrees F), congestion, loss of appetite, serous nasal and ocular discharge, depression, swollen limbs, and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms can last Read more…
Equine brucellosis is caused by Brucellaabortus and most commonly manifests as fistulous withers in horses, which can be a source of exposure to humans. Clinically, brucellosis may also be associated with poll evil, nonspecific lameness due to joint infection or, rarely, late abortions in mares. What diseases can humans get Read more…
Constipation is when the horse passes very small amounts of firm, dry manure. Symptoms may include: Hard, dry manure. Effort to pass manure. Manure covered in mucous. No manure production. Unthrifty coat appearance. Rough, dry coat. Exercise intolerance. Depression. What is a natural laxative for horses? Horses can often have Read more…