A build-up of debris (smegma) in a male horse’s sheath or accumulated gunk (dirt, sweat, dry skin) around the female’s udder and vulva area can cause irritation, even infection. The horse resorts to rubbing their hind end and tail because they can’t scratch “down under.” Why is my horse itching Read more…
In horses, West Nile Virus causes an encephalomyelitis, or brain and spinal cord infection. Most horses bitten by a mosquito infected with West Nile Virus will not develop clinical disease. They develop an asymptomatic infection, eliminate the virus and are none the worse for it. What are the signs of Read more…
It seems the exercise essentially acts as a form of stress that reduces the horse’s immune response to the vaccine. The bottom line—while it may be safe (or potentially beneficial) to exercise a horse lightly a little while after a vaccination is given, avoid strenuous exercise. How long after flu Read more…
Rabies is a fatal neurologic disease of mammals. Rabies is rare in horses, but invariably fatal. Clinical signs of rabies in horses vary, are easily confused with other diseases, and often progress rapidly. There is no treatment for rabies in horses. What disease category is rabies? Rabies virus belongs to Read more…
Lungworm is an infection of the lower respiratory tract in horses, usually resulting in bronchitis or pneumonia, caused by the parasitic roundworm Dictyocaulus arnfieldi. The infection can cause severe coughing in horses and can be difficult to distinguish from other respiratory diseases. What are the symptoms of lung worms in Read more…
Mosquitoes with West Nile virus also bite and infect people, horses and other mammals. However, humans, horses and other mammals are ‘dead end’ hosts. This means that they do not develop high levels of virus in their bloodstream, and cannot pass the virus on to other biting mosquitoes. What are Read more…
It is advisable that for the first 24 – 48 hours following vaccinations of your horse or pony, exertion is minimised. This will reduce the risk of adverse reactions developing. After this time period, you can ride your horse as normal. How long after flu jab can you ride horse? Read more…
Adverse reactions include soreness or abscesses at injection sites and occasional cases of purpura hemorrhagica. The injectable, inactivated S. equi. vaccine can be associated with an increased rate of injection site reactions as compared to other equine vaccines. Can a horse have a reaction to strangles vaccine? The major risk Read more…
A regular program of vaccination for all horses will usually control or very markedly reduce the incidence and severity of strangles. However the vaccine is not an absolute preventative. In registration trials, the vaccine had between 70% and 100% efficacy with an average of 75% protection compared to controls. Can Read more…
The research builds on an earlier study that showed acetaminophen was safe for horses at 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight twice daily for two weeks. Mercer reported these findings at the 2021 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Nashville, Tennessee. Is acetaminophen toxic to Read more…