Disposal of Deceased Horse in Washington

Question:
Where can i find the laws for disposing of a dead horse in Cle elum Wa?
Thanks

Jack

Answer:
Calling the local animal disposal service in the area is the best advice. As far as burial is concerned, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) permits burial within its prescribed guidelines. I've attached a link to their Livestock Disposal Manual.

Individual counties may apply additional ordinances and regulations beyond what is prescribed by the WSDA, so it is good to check with local Animal Control agency and/or Health Department.

Here is the link to the WSDA manual: http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/docs/LivestockDisposalManual10709.pdf

Dave Sauter, DVM

Sleep Deprivation in Horses Part 2 of 2

Is your horse getting enough sleep?

by Dave Sauter, DVM

As noted in last month's article, sleep deprivation will occur in horses if they are either prevented from lying down or unwilling to do so. Unlike humans, horses take several days or even weeks to develop symptoms of sleep deprivation. Symptoms include:

Excessive daytime sleepiness
Collapsing episodes, especially during relaxing circumstances (e.g., during grooming, while resting in a standing position)
Unexplained wounds or scars, especially on the front of the front fetlocks and the front of the knee—these injuries are caused by the collapsing episodes

Long term videotaping can assist in the diagnosis. It can help document an absence of recumbent sleep patterns and unobserved collapsing episodes.

Sleep deprivation is not the same as narcolepsy. Narcolepsy in horses, as in people, is rare (although there is a familial narcolepsy documented in miniature horses). With narcolepsy there is a sudden onset of uncontrolled sleep, a “sleep attack,” with complete loss of muscle tone. Play and startle reflexes have been reported as triggering factors in narcoleptic horses.

As prey animals, feeling safe and secure is of paramount concern before horses will allow themselves to enter such a vulnerable state as REM sleep. The natural setting for sleep in horses occurs in established herds. Often the members of the herd will be in various stages of sleep. This ensures a “sentinel” that is relatively more alert is on guard for any potential threat. Since they only need about 30 minutes of REM sleep, herd mates take turns performing the sentinel duties so everyone gets their opportunity.

Causes of Equine Sleep Deprivation

There are many causes of sleep deprivation in horses. Dr. Joe Bertone, a veterinarian board certified in internal medicine, has published several papers on the topic. To help organize and facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of sleep deprivation, Dr. Bertone has divided the causes into three categories:

--Pain-related

There are three basic components necessary to get REM sleep: what it takes to lie down, comfort while lying down, and getting back up again. If there is pain related to one or more of these components and the horse repeatedly experiences the difficulty, eventually it will avoid the painful process altogether. Here are some examples:

1. The most common situation is some musculoskeletal problem or combination of problems such as arthritis or old injuries. This is especially the case in older horses whose bodies have suffered wear and tear over the years and are less able to compensate for their aches and pains.


2. Thoracic pain in a horse that has survived pleural pneumonia but has lingering adhesions in the chest cavity.


3. Abdominal pain from something such as an enterolith (mineral deposit in the large intestine).


4. Late term pregnancy making all three steps more difficult and uncomfortable.


5. Neurological disease—in this case, it may be the distress, inability and struggle associated with getting down and back up again that results in the sleep avoidance behavior.

--Environmental/situational

Any environmental or situational condition that compromises the sense of security and safeness necessary for proper sleep can cause sleep deprivation. Examples:

1. Prey issues—lone horses may feel unsafe on with no sentinel to watch out for them. Wildlife, loose dogs, etc., can contribute to this.


2. Hierarchy issues—horses on the bottom of the pecking order may constantly feel threatened by herd mates, especially bully horses. Horses on the top are also at risk if they are constantly on alert in less safe environments in efforts to protect the herd. Another example of this is when new horses are introduced.


3. Loss of a companion.


4. Rigorous show and travel schedule.


5. Other environmental issues, such as stabling conditions, mud, ice, weather, noise, and travel that interfere with the sense of familiarity, safety and comfort can also be causes of sleep deprivation or avoidance.

--Monotony-related

This pertains to a horse that spends long hours in a fairly relaxed and boring situation, such as on the cross ties. As with humans, horses need activity during their waking hours to promote quality sleep.

There is no standard treatment or medicine that can be prescribed to treat sleep deprivation. The solution, if there is one, lies in identifying the cause(s) and addressing them individually. Although they don’t need nearly as much as humans do, horses need their sleep to be healthy. If your horse shows symptoms of sleep deprivation or you have concerns, discuss them with your vet.

Sleep Deprivation in Horses, Part 1 of 2

Common sleep patterns and needs
by Dave Sauter, DVM

We all need our sleep to be healthy, and we need to be healthy to sleep. That is as true for horses as it is for us. In this two-part series we explore the subject of sleep in horses and what happens if they don’t get enough of it.

All of us sleep, usually every day. We know how it feels if we don’t get enough. Yet for all our experience, there is much about the subject of sleep that remains a mystery. Sleep has attracted the attention of medical minds since the days of Hippocrates in 400 B.C. It wasn’t until the 19th century, however, that science began to take a serious look at the subject. As our understanding of sleep has grown, so has our recognition of its importance to our health. In 1996 the American Medical Association recognized sleep medicine as a specialty. This subject has also received more attention in equine medicine in the last several years.

What is Sleep?
How is sleep different from other forms of unconsciousness, such as a coma? Sleep is a state of immobility with greatly reduced responsiveness. Unlike hibernation, sleep is rapidly reversible. It is possible to quickly wake up to a state of nearly complete mobility and mental alertness. During sleep there is unconscious sensory input and processing. Hence a crying baby may wake a worried parent while a thunderstorm might not. When sleep is prevented, there is an increased desire and need for it.

Sleep can be divided into two types, Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and Non-REM (NREM) sleep. REM sleep is characterized by brain wave patterns, heart rate and respiratory rate similar to when awake, decreased muscle tone, and, as the name states, rapid eye movements. REM and NREM sleep have been identified in birds and all of the 60 – 70 terrestrial mammals that have had sleep studies. Marine mammals sleep with half of their brains at a time (and keep one eye open and one closed).

Amongst herbivores, the larger the species, the less time is spent sleeping. In general, carnivores sleep more than omnivores and omnivores more than herbivores. Animals that are born more immature tend to need more REM sleep. Here are a few examples (in hours of sleep needed per day):
• Cat - 12
• Dog - 10
• Human - 8
• Goat - 5
• Cow, elephant, sheep - 4
• Donkey and horse - 3
• Giraffe - 2

Sleep Patterns in Horses
Horses require much less sleep than their human counterparts, only three to five hours per day. Drowsiness and the equivalent to a human's lighter planes of sleep can be achieved while standing. Horses take on a characteristic stance when engaging in this level of sleep. Weight is supported on both front legs. On the hind limbs, one leg supports weight while the other is unloaded. Some speculate that this ensures one hind limb is in the “cocked and ready” position in the event a threat approaches while horses are resting. Sleep studies suggest that the hindquarters are pointed toward the greatest perceived threat (e.g., the stall door). This drowsy posture can progress into Slow Wave Sleep (SWS), equivalent to the deeper planes of sleep in people. Unlike people, horses can achieve SWS while on their feet. Their heads will characteristically drop to a lower level. They may, however, decide to lie down to continue their SWS in sternal recumbency (i.e., on their chests).

Recall that in REM sleep, muscles have greatly reduced tone. This is true for the horse as well. This means that for horses to enter REM sleep they must be recumbent (lying down). Generally, horses in REM sleep will lie flat out (lateral recumbency), but occasionally they will remain in sternal recumbency, bracing their chins on the ground passively as the poll drops when muscle tone decreases. Horses only require about 30 minutes per day of REM sleep, much less than people, who average about two hours per day. Outward features of REM sleep in horses include paddling, twitching, blinking, rapid eye movement, ear twitching and flaring of the nostrils.

Sleep deprivation will occur in horses if they are either prevented from lying down or unwilling to do so. Next month, we will look at the symptoms and specific causes of equine sleep deprivation, and how they relate to your horse's overall health.

Can I Get Some Bute?

Why some common medications require a prescription
R. Paul Schwab, DVM


Veterinarians get many requests each week for medications such as phenylbutazone (“bute”), trimethoprim/sulfa (TMS) pills, and others that require a doctor’s prescription. Many of these are used routinely for horses with minor and major ailments including injuries, wounds, respiratory infections, etc. A large percentage of horse owners and trainers are very familiar with their uses and side effects, but are frustrated when the veterinary office may not sell it to them without first seeing their horses.

Veterinary drugs are classified in different categories that determine how a particular product can be dispensed:

1. Over the Counter (OTC) drugs do not need a prescription from a veterinarian; products may be sold through catalogs, feed stores, and veterinary hospitals.

2. Prescription (Rx, Legend) drugs have the following statement: “Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.” Prescription drugs may be distributed only by persons or firms authorized by state and local laws.

The FDA is the responsible party who puts individual medications into one of these categories. Usually they are classified based on the amount of information required so a product can safely be used in an individual animal.

Veterinarians usually dispense prescription drugs based on the need of an animal or group of animals that they are treating for a specific problem. There are times when we can dispense medications to owners or trainers for animals that we have not seen. We may recommend and dispense a prescription medication to an animal for a simple problem handled over the phone or for an ongoing issue on an animal treated previously. Veterinarians can only do this if they have a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with the person they are selling the medication to.

A VCPR exists if*:
1. The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarian’s instructions.

2. The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal. This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of an examination of the animal or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.

3. The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up evaluation, or has arranged for emergency coverage in the event of adverse reactions or failure of the treatment regimen.

What Does All This Mean?
Basically, in order for a veterinarian to sell or prescribe a medication for an animal(s), he or she needs to have seen that animal or group of animals recently and know the client well enough to know the medication will be used properly and for those animals only. The actual time frame may vary between states or clinics, but realistically, an animal needs to have been seen within one year.

Online Pharmacies
How do online pharmacies fit into this picture? You can buy medications from online pharmacies if your veterinarian has faxed or called in a prescription to that pharmacy and as long as that pharmacy is certified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The pharmacy staff veterinarian cannot authorize a prescription without consent of a licensed attending veterinarian.

These rules and laws are meant to help protect the animal from misuse or misunderstanding of use of a particular medication. So on your next visit to the vet, if the receptionist or veterinarian doesn’t freely give out the bute or TMS tablets you wanted to pick up, there is a reason.

---
*Taken from AVMA’s Guideline for Veterinary Prescription Drugs

Horse Identification

Why and how equine identification methods work
by Dave Sauter, DVM, photo by NWHS

Civilizations have been keeping birth records on their human populations since ancient times. In modern times, official documents used for personal identification include birth certificates, social security numbers, driver’s licenses and passports. Nowadays there is even a system for identifying all of our automobiles. There is no standard state or federal record keeping system for horses, yet there are numerous situations in which the identity of an individual horse is important.

Reasons for Identification
The most fundamental reason for individual identification of a horse is for proof of ownership. There are two basic parts to proof of ownership. One is that the horse is who you say it is; the other is that you are that individual’s owner. When it comes to unregistered horses, there is often a lack of any sort of documentation of either of these. Instead, we rely on a sort of honor system. But there are times when it is helpful to have something more, such as when horses are bought and sold. At a minimum there should be a bill of sale to document the change of ownership, along with a written description of the horse (age, sex, breed or type, color and physical description).

Although not very common, horses can be lost. Having a method of identification can be an enormous help in returning lost horses to their homes. Some forms of identification (e.g., branding) can also function as excellent deterrents to theft.

Federal and state governments have an interest in animal identification. The Department of Agriculture requires Interstate and International Health Certificates whenever livestock (that includes horses) travel to other states or governments. These records document the description of the animals, the owner, where they originate from and shipping destination. This system helps ensure diseased animals are not shipped and helps trace the movements of animals in the event of a disease outbreak.

Methods of Identification
Homemade: Something simple everyone can do, especially if you currently have no registration papers, bill of sale, or brand certificate, is to write down an accurate description, something similar to what would be found on a health certificate or registration papers. Include a set of at least four photographs, one from each side of the horse. Position the legs so all four are visible in each photograph. Include:
• Breed or breed type
• Sex
• Color
• Date or approximate year of birth
• Description of all white markings (head, legs and body)
• Whorls (or cowlicks) on face
• Permanent acquired marks (scars, lumps, bumps, tumors, brands, tattoos, etc.)

Registration papers: Breed registration papers provide excellent individual identification and ownership documentation. Different breed organizations define the requirements, administer the program and provide a central database of all records. Each registered horse will have its own number, description, pedigree record, date of birth, owner’s name(s), etc.

Tattoo: This method is used by the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing industries. The numbers and letters used correspond to the horse’s registration number. This permanent mark placed on the inside of the upper lip provides race officials with a quick and easy means to verify a horse’s identity. The disadvantage is that not all lip tattoos come out well, and they can be difficult to read. Also, over time some of the symbols can fade.

Brands: The history of branding helps illustrate how long animal identification has been important. Hieroglyphic paintings depict brands applied to animals, so we know the technique dates back to ancient Egypt, at least. We know the ancient Greeks and Romans used branding. Cortez is credited with bringing the custom of branding to the New World in the 1500s. American ranchers eventually simplified brand designs in favor of patterns that were easier to remember and more difficult to alter.

The visible external mark of the brand can facilitate recovery of a lost or stolen horse, and has the added benefit of theft protection as horse thieves are less likely to target branded horses.

There are two basic types of branding techniques, hot branding and freeze branding. Hair actually has two types of follicles: the deeper growth follicle, which generates the shaft of the hair, and the shallower pigment follicle, which produces the color in the hair. Hot branding results in a deep burn that destroys both follicles. The result is a “bald” brand. Freeze branding allows greater control. The duration the freeze brand is applied to the skin determines the depth of the freeze effect. With a shorter duration only the pigment follicle will be destroyed. After the skin has healed, unpigmented hair grows back, a process that takes a few months. The white hairs show the design of the brand nicely when contrasted with red, brown or black hairs. If the horse is white or grey, the “bald” brand is preferred so it is more easily seen. If this is the goal, the freeze brand is applied for a longer duration to destroy the deeper growth follicle.

Mustangs adopted through the BLM program and some Arabians use freeze brands. Utilizing a series of symbols that coincide with the horse’s registration number, the brand is applied to the crest of the neck (left side for mustangs and right side for Arabians). Racing Standardbreds also utilize a freeze brand on the crest of the right side of the neck that uses numbers and letters to represent the horse’s identity.

Private brand designs have to be approved and registered with the state. These designs indicate the mark of the brand's owner. This brand does not provide identification of a specific horse. What it says to the world is that any horse carrying that brand is currently or was previously owned by the owner of the brand. Similarly, some warmblood breed registries use a brand representing the breed, indicating the horse passed the necessary inspections to earn the brand.

Microchip: With the microchip, animal identification has finally entered the 21st century. Microchips are designed to be implanted into animals as a form of individual permanent identification. A radio frequency identification device (RFID) is about the size of a large grain of rice. It has no internal power source. When triggered by a compatible scanning device, it sends a coded signal the scanner reads, matching the recorded identity of the animal. For horses, the usual location for placement of the chip is one inch below the crest of the neck, left side, midway between the poll and the withers.

Some breeds require microchipping as part of the registration process. The microchip is virtually impossible to alter, and it represents a cost effective, reliable individual identification technology that can be traced back to the current owner through nationally maintained databases.

Identification in the Real World
In 1994, Louisiana began a program requiring all horses to have some form of permanent identification: a brand, tattoo or microchip. 70-80% of horse owners chose to microchip. After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005 and hundreds of horses were displaced from their farms, rescuers using scanners over the customary left side of the neck were able to quickly match horses with their owners. The success in terms of percentage of horses returned to their proper homes and the speed with which it was accomplished was much greater than in comparable disasters. This is at least one example of where the technology really worked.

Understanding Equine Reportable Diseases

Learn the facts behind three equine diseases in recent news

by Dave Sauter, DVM

Today’s article will provide updates on three infectious diseases that have been in the news in recent months. Although these diseases are quite different, they have three important similarities: all three are diseases of horses, all three are “reportable diseases,” and all three are in the news.

Reportable Diseases

Many diseases can have devastating affects on public health, animal health, agriculture, industry and the economy. A recent example is the H1N1 human and swine influenza virus. Other examples that have gained much public attention in recent years include toxigenic E. coli, Mad Cow Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease.

On a global scale, the agency that tracks human reportable diseases is the World Health Organization (WHO). For animal disease, it is the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE, or Office International des Epizooties). In the U.S., the tradition traces back to at least 1878, when the CDC began tracking cholera, small pox, plague and yellow fever. Currently, much of the tracking responsibility falls onto state health agencies.

The lists of human and animal diseases these agencies track are long. Veterinarians, physicians, laboratories and other health care providers are required by law to report to appropriate government agencies whenever a reportable disease is encountered. Having a central reporting system in place enables rapid disease control measures to be implemented to minimize the spread of these diseases and their impact on human and animal health and the economy.

West Nile Virus (WNV)

Washington State topped the nation last year in the number of horses that tested positive for the WNV. According to Dr. Leonard Eldridge of the Washington Department of Agriculture, nearly all of the 41 positive horses were unvaccinated. Evidently, this year the WNV is making an early appearance. The state has been monitoring the mosquito population for the presence of the virus because it is the first signal that the virus is present. The Department of Health reported on June 3rd that it had detected the virus in mosquitoes collected in Yakima County. This represents one of the earliest detections of the virus since monitoring started in 2001.

The WNV was first identified in 1937 in Uganda and is established in Africa, West Asia, Europe and the Middle East. It made its first appearance in the U.S. in 1999 when it struck in the New York City area, resulting in 11 human deaths. Various species of birds serve as the natural host of the virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Humans and horses are considered “dead end” hosts of the virus – we can get infected, but the disease does not spread from us, not even to uninfected mosquitoes that bite us. Horses are particularly susceptible to the infection. Although many horses that are infected do not show any symptoms, those that do get very sick, with a 30% or more mortality rate. Of the cases that become unable to stand due to the severe neurologic impairment, 60% die.

One of the reasons WNV is on the list of reportable diseases is the impact it can have on the equine industry. At its peak in 2002, over 15,000 horses that we know of in the U.S. died from WNV. Another reason it is important is because the incidence of the disease in the horse population gives human health care agencies a better indication of the incidence of the virus in the community. This assists them in making decisions concerning disease control measures, such as mosquito control.

At least three vaccines are available for WNV in the horse. They are all safe and reasonably effective at preventing WNV.

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)

CEM is a venereally transmissible disease of horses. There is no evidence to suggest that CEM affects people. The reason for its importance is because it is very contagious and could have devastating affects on the equine breeding industry.

The first case of CEM was diagnosed in 1977 in England. The following year it showed up in central Kentucky and in 1979 it was found in Missouri. The disease was eradicated from both states and no new cases were detected until 2006, when two post-quarantine imported Wisconsin stallions tested positive. The disease was rapidly contained again. Then, in December 2008, a central Kentucky stallion tested positive. Further investigation revealed that this outbreak spread far and wide prior to detection. To date, records indicate that at least 971 horses in 48 states have been exposed to the disease (Rhode Island and Hawaii are the only two states without at least one exposed horse). As of June 2009, the USDA reported that of the 971 exposed horses, 21 stallions and 5 mares have been diagnosed positive for CEM.

CEM is caused by a bacteria that is transmitted directly by intercourse but also indirectly through artificial insemination and through contact with contaminated surfaces, e.g., instruments, semen collection equipment, etc. Although acutely infected mares will develop a vulvar discharge, stallions and chronically infected mares do not have outward symptoms and can be the source of continued transmission of the disease. Since stallions do not have any symptoms and they can potentially breed tremendous numbers of mares, rapid dissemination can occur.

Vesicular Stomatitis (VS)

Vesicular Stomatitis occurs sporadically in the United States, principally in the western states. The disease causes blister-like lesions on the muzzle, tongue, teats and above the hooves of susceptible livestock, including horses. In fact, horses are often the first species of livestock to be confirmed positive in an area where the virus is active. Although the mortality rate is low, the morbidity rate is high. The virus spreads fast and furiously, commonly affecting upwards of 90% of the herd. Cattle and pigs also can get VS. The problem with VS in these species is that the lesions look very similar to the much more serious Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). FMD is one of the most dreaded diseases of livestock owners because it is highly contagious, spreads rapidly over long distances, and causes severe economic losses. For example, a FMD outbreak in 2001 in the United Kingdom resulted in a reported 3.9 million animals, most of them healthy, being destroyed in order to contain and eradicate the disease. Compensation to farmers of the slaughtered animals cost the government more than one billion dollars. The last case of FMD in the U.S. was in 1929.

VS can cause serious losses also, but not to the level of devastation FMD would cause. Whenever VS does become active, it causes huge headaches because FMD must be considered a possibility until proven otherwise. Testing must be completed quickly because of the speed at which FMD spreads. Horses are not susceptible to FMD, so they can be helpful in the investigation.

According to Texas State Veterinarian, there is a current VS outbreak in that state involving just one horse. Prior to that, the most recent outbreak was in 2006 and only involved the state of Wyoming, where 17 horses and a dozen cattle on 13 premises were affected. In 2005, there was a VS outbreak involving livestock on at least 445 premises in nine states. To date, Washington State has never had a case of VS. Hopefully, prompt notification and containment of outbreaks in other states will keep it that way.

Medication Safety

Handle and store your horse's medications safely

by Dave Sauter, DVM

Previous articles have discussed how to administer medications to horses, whether injectable, oral or topical. This month, I'd like to focus on proper handling of medications to ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the products.

Temperature

Many medications need to be stored within specific temperature ranges. Temperatures outside these ranges can alter the chemical nature and stability of the components. For example, vaccines are very sensitive to storage temperatures. Freezing can cause some vaccines to lose their effectiveness and become much more reactive--in other words, much more likely to cause heat, swelling and pain at the injection site.

Another example is penicillin. The most common type of penicillin used in horses is Procaine Penicillin G, which is supposed to be refrigerated but not frozen. There are different types of penicillin injection reactions, and all of them are pretty scary. One of the reactions (disorientation, fear response, seizure and collapse) is thought to be related to the procaine. The procaine in Procaine Penicillin G is bound to another chemical. Storage at room temperature has been shown to result in more release of the procaine from this other chemical and to increase the chance of this reaction.

To keep medications stable, safe and effective until their expiration dates, follow label recommendations for storage temperatures. If refrigeration is required, do not store medications in the door of the fridge, where temperatures fluctuate more; keep them near the center.

Sunlight

Many medications are sensitive to sunlight. For example, sunlight inactivates ReguMate. Medications in dark-colored bottles often are light sensitive (e.g., Acepromazine). Direct sunlight can be particularly damaging to vaccines, resulting in less immunological effect (which is the goal of vaccination in the first place) and greater injection site reaction (which we all strive to prevent).

Transport

It is important to maintain proper storage conditions during the transport of medications. If you have a long drive from the veterinary clinic to the farm, putting medications on the dash where heat and sunlight can damage them is not a good plan. Use a small cooler to keep your refrigerated products cool, but do not place products like vaccines directly onto an ice block. Similar precautions should be taken when necessary to protect products from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures when they are taken out of storage for use in the horse.

Cleanliness

This is particularly critical with injectable products. Products such as Procaine Penicillin G, Naxcel or Banamine are in multi-dose vials. Each time the needle enters the bottle there is the potential for contamination. Injection of a contaminated product into the horse can result in cellulitis, deep abscesses, and other serious complications like tetanus. Store these products in a clean environment. Clean the surface of the rubber injection cap, if it is dirty, with gauze soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) before inserting the needle. Always use a new needle and keep the cap on it. Never touch the needle or allow it to touch anything but the medicine and the horse it is intended for.

Dosage

Follow the label directions as closely as possible.

·

Make sure to prepare and deliver the correct amount at the proper interval. Always double and triple check that the prescribed amount of medication is prepared. For instance, it is easy to overdose an oral medication in a multidose cartridge, such as Bute, if the dial is not set properly.

·

Do what is safe and necessary to administer the medication to the horse. If the medication ends up on the wall or the floor instead of in the horse, then the horse is not going to maintain therapeutic levels in its body.

· Follow the instructions on dosing interval. Shortening the interval can result in toxicity. The medication will drop below therapeutic levels if the interval is increased. This is especially problematic with antibiotics because it will cause drug resistance. Once a day means every 24 hours, twice a day every 12 hours, three times a day every 8 hours, four times a day every 6 hours, etc.

Personal Safety

Many of the medications we use in horses are powerful drugs that can affect us. I am still amazed when I give less than one cc of sedative to a one ton draft horse and see the powerful effect that tiny little bit has on such a huge animal. During the preparation or administration of medication, small amounts can get on our hands. Rubbing one’s eyes or mouth can inadvertently result in absorption of these drugs into our own bodies. Ventipulmin syrup can cause your heart to race. Atropine eye ointment can cause your pupils to dilate. ReguMate can absorb through the skin and affect the female reproductive system (and probably the male, also). Take precautions with all medications. Use gloves when so instructed and avoid rubbing your eyes or touching your face until you have washed your hands. Always wash your hands after handling any medications.

Proper Disposal

Children and other animals, often dogs, are at the highest risk of getting into contact with used oral medication cartridges, tubes of topical medications, used vials, etc. Children and pets can be very curious and very fast. One example I recall is that of a border collie that licked the end of a dewormer cartridge that had been dropped on the floor after use. There was a little paste on the end, enough to cause neurotoxicity. Fortunately, the dog survived. The owner still lets the dog follow him around the barn, but he doesn’t throw used cartridges on the floor anymore.

Needles deserve special mention. The EPA estimates that eight million people use more than three billion sharps (needles, syringes and lancets) per year in the United States. Leftover needles not only carry the risk of pain from accidental puncture, but also the risk of disease. In many counties and cities, it is against the law to dispose of used needles in garbage cans or recycling bins. Check with your county Department of Health for rules and guidelines for the proper disposal of used needles in your area. Here are some websites with more useful information:

· Coalition for Safety Community Needle Disposal - www.safeneedledisposal.org

· Centers for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov/needledisposal

· Whatcom County Health Department - www.co.whatcom.wa.us/health

· www.sharpsdisposal.com

· www.stericycle.com/mailback.html

Pigeon Fever

A look at the forms and symptoms of an uncommon but serious infection

by Dave Sauter, DVM

Other than their name, pigeons have nothing to do with Pigeon Fever, a highly contagious disease of horses. Pigeon Fever has been considered endemic to California, but in recent years the incidence has been increasing in other western states such as Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington. It has also increased in southern states such as Kentucky.

Pigeon Fever is caused by bacteria that live in the soil and are found worldwide. The bacterium that causes the disease has an impressive name, especially useful for those who enjoy equine trivial pursuits: with two 7-syllable words, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a mouthful. 

The bacterium prefers dry, cooler environmental conditions. Although it can occur any time of the year, it is most prevalent in early fall. The bacteria gain access into the horse’s body through breaks in the skin, through small wounds on the body or through mucous membranes (e.g., the gums). Although not yet proven, many experts believe insects such as the housefly and horn fly play a role in transmission, literally carrying the bacteria from one horse to the next. There is no vaccine for the disease.

After invading through the skin or mucous membranes, it can take weeks for Pigeon Fever to incubate before clinical signs of disease develop. The bacteria spreads locally (i.e., wherever it gains access) and via lymphatics (vessels that connect lymph nodes together). Early in the course of the disease, symptoms can be vague and non-specific, such as fever, depression, weight loss and lameness. There are three principle forms the disease can take in the horse:

1. External Abscesses

This is the most common form of the infection in the United States. Abscesses can range from very small to deep, massive abscesses containing quarts of tan colored malodorous pus. They can occur anywhere in the body, but one of the most common areas is in the pectoral muscles. The resulting greatly enlarged pectoral area reminded someone of pigeon breasts, hence the name "Pigeon Fever." There are many other names for this form of the disease, including Pigeon Pox, Dryland Distemper, Dryland Strangles, and Breastbone Fever. 

Other common areas for the abscesses to form include the sheath, the mammary glands, under the belly and between the hind legs. When lesions develop on the ventral midline, they tend to form large, painful plaques of edema with multiple draining tracts (similar to what happens on the legs with Ulcerative Lymphangitis, described below) rather than the large pus abscesses seen in the pectoral muscles. Horses with the external abscess form have a good prognosis for full recovery.

Treatment centers on establishing good drainage. Poultices and hot packs can encourage superficial abscesses to open. The deeper abscesses and many of the superficial ones require surgical lancing to establish drainage. Ultrasound can be helpful in locating and directing the veterinarian’s scalpel to the center of these deeper abscesses. Disinfectants can be used to flush out the opened abscesses. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Bute, Banamine or Equioxx might be indicated to help manage pain and fever. Antibiotic therapy is controversial. 

Although humans generally don’t get the disease, we unfortunately can carry it in the form of pus and other discharge from infected to uninfected horses. Other animals, including insects, can also act as transmitters of the disease. Affected horses should be isolated to try to contain this highly contagious disease. Everything should be kept separate (clothing, feed tubs, water buckets, water hose, barn equipment, etc.) to maintain biosecurity. 

2. Internal Abscesses

In some cases, the bacteria can penetrate beyond the region of the body where they first gain access and spread deeper into the horse’s insides, reaching into the thoracic and/or abdominal cavity. Internal lymph nodes and organs can develop abscesses. This dissemination into the body poses far greater risk of loss of life. 

Because these abscesses are out of sight, diagnosis is more elusive. In addition to fever, weight loss, and depression, other symptoms might be present, reflecting the organ system affected (e.g., nasal discharge for pulmonary, colic for abdominal, bloody urine for kidney, ventral edema for liver). Since drainage might be impossible to establish, long term antibiotic therapy generally is indicated, from one to six months. Mortality rate from this rarer form of the disease is much higher, over 40% in some reports. 

3. Ulcerative Lymphangitis

In this form of the disease, the bacteria gain a foothold in the lower limbs and eventually make their way into the lymphatics of the legs, most often the hind limbs below the hocks. As the bacteria spreads up the lymphatic vessels, chains of nodules appear on the limbs that ultimately abscess, ulcerate and drain. New lesions develop as older ones heal. Commonly, the limb becomes swollen and painful. Damage to the limb can cause permanent thickening, disfigurement and debilitation. 

In Europe and other parts of the world, Ulcerative Lymphangitis is the most common form of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection. Treatment includes long term use of high levels of penicillin. Note that other bacteria are capable of causing similar symptoms. Culture is necessary to confirm that Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the culprit.

Animals at Risk

It is important to mention that ruminants are also susceptible to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection. Small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, are affected by a different subtype that does not affect horses. In sheep and goats, it is referred to as Caseous Lymphandenitis, more commonly known as Cheesy Gland, Lympho or Thin Ewe Syndrome. This highly contagious disease can cause significant economic losses from culling, carcass condemnation, etc. 

Cattle are susceptible to both sub-types of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection, the equine form and the small ruminant form, but are more likely to have the small ruminant sub-type. Laboratory testing can be done to identify which sub-type is present.

Although fairly uncommon, Pigeon Fever is a disease of growing concern. An awareness of what it is and the symptoms of the various forms can help to expedite its identification and containment if and when it shows up. 

AAEP Convention Highlights

A review of the 54th annual AAEP convention

by Dave Sauter, DVM, Kulshan Veterinary Hospital

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is a non-profit organization for equine veterinarians.  Founded in 1954 in the basement of a Louisville, Kentucky hotel with eleven charter members, the AAEP has expanded to over 9,000 veterinarian and student members in 64 countries.  The mission of the AAEP is to protect the health and welfare of the horse through equine research, public education programs, involvement with animal welfare affairs and ethics, and professional development programs for its members.  

2008 Convention Highlights

This year over 3200 veterinarians, students and veterinary technicians from around the globe gathered in San Diego, California from December 6-10 for the annual AAEP convention.  Total attendance exceeded 6500, representing the third-largest turnout in the convention's history.  Over 100 scientific papers were presented along with a huge selection of less formal “Table Topic” meetings on myriad subjects including lameness, an in-depth focus on laminitis, neurology, reproduction, dentistry, internal medicine, imaging, neonatology, emergency care at equine events and more.  

The “Kester News Hour,” designed to present topics either too recent or too brief to be included in the regular meeting, was one of the highlights. The late General Wayne “Sage” Kester, a native of Nebraska, helped form the AAEP in 1954 and was instrumental in forming the American Horse Council and numerous specialty groups within veterinary medicine.  Dr. Kester was an avid horseman who remarked at age 90 that little had changed for him as he got older except life insurance salesman didn’t pursue him anymore and he no longer purchased green bananas.  

Another highlight was the Frank Milne State of the Art lecture. This year’s speaker was Dr. Stephen Reed, a 1976 graduate of The Ohio State University who is considered an expert in the field of equine neurology.  He is the author of over 150 published articles, editor of Equine Internal Medicine (a textbook for veterinarians) and co-editor of the book Equine Neurology.  He lectured on many aspects of equine neurology, including the neurological examination of the horse, wobblers syndrome, equine protozoal myelitis (EPM), and herpes (Rhino).  Dr. Reed reviewed many advances in equine neurological diagnostics and treatments that are helping horses survive, commenting that “neurological disease is no longer a euphemism for necropsy.”

Scholarships and Charity

The AAEP Foundation is the charitable arm of the AAEP, founded in 1994 to unite individuals and organizations dedicated to improving horse health and well being.  The foundation supports research in equine lameness, laminitis, colic and other areas. This year, the foundation's live and silent auctions raised over $118,000.  In 2008 alone, the foundation awarded 48 scholarships totaling $190,000 to help fund the education of veterinary students committed to equine careers, assisting them with the estimated $106,000 of debt the average new veterinary graduate faces.

Horse Owner Highlights

Veterinarians aren't the only ones who benefit from attending the convention. The Healthy Horses Workshop, an educational day designed just for horse owners, featured seminars on subjects such as eye diseases, training and control from the ground, pain-free saddle fitting and nutrition.  Also, Gina Miles spoke about her experiences as a silver medalist in eventing at the Olympics.  

Recognizing the vital role of farriery and podiatry to the health and welfare of the horse, the AAEP once again organized a Farrier Program at this year’s convention.  Farriers were invited to participate in this day-long session on issues such as management of hoof wall separations and quarter cracks, the use of composites, foot and limb deformities in foals, breakover enhancement and other issues surrounding the prevention and treatment of lameness. Having farriers and veterinarians come together was informative and a lot of fun, too!

The trade show was another enjoyable aspect of the convention.  Watching veterinarians and technicians wander the huge trade show hall to view the hundreds of exhibits was like watching kids in a candy store.  It was a great opportunity to shop and compare equipment and supplies.  

If the Healthy Horses Expo or the Farrier Program sound interesting, mark your calendar for the 55th annual convention, to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada the first week of December. This is the same week as the National Finals Rodeo, so the trip should be both informative and fun.

Check out the AAEP web site at www.aaep.org to learn more about horse health, unwanted horses, and other topics of interest to horse owners.  

Red, The Rescue Horse

One horse's journey from neglect into health
by Dave Sauter, DVM, Kulshan Veterinary Hospital

Dealing with an animal neglect case can be a heart-wrenching experience. Unfortunately, animal neglect happens and someone has to cope with the consequences. With rising feed costs and hard times economically, such cases are regrettably on the rise. Today’s article is a story describing one such instance. In this situation, as in many cases of neglect, the owners simply lacked the knowledge and experience to care for the number of horses they had. The resulting condition of some of their horses was life-threatening. 

The Whatcom Humane Society (WHS) is the designated animal control agency of Whatcom County, assigned with the task of enforcing the codes, regulations and laws concerning animal care. They were called on earlier this year to investigate a case of animal neglect involving a large group of horses. The WHS examined all of the horses at the location and also inspected the shelter, the amount of space for the number of animals, the availability of feed and water, feed stores, fencing, etc. Ignorance of basic feed requirements had caused three of the horses to be at a state of starvation that was life-threatening. The WHS used its legal authority to seize the three horses. One of these three emaciated horses was “Red” (named by her eventual adoptive home). Based on her teeth and appearance, she was a twenty-something chestnut Arab cross mare. One of the other two horses was Red’s three-year-old daughter.

When the WHS removes horses in an emergency situation like this, they need a suitable location to provide food, water, safe housing and proper medical attention for the horses until a permanent new home can be arranged. Generally, one of several horse rescue facilities is called upon, but at the time of this seizure all the local facilities were full. Fortunately, a “foster home" was found. A local animal lover with a big heart, Lynn Larson, agreed to take Red and her daughter temporarily. Lynn has taken in foster animals before, including peacocks, llamas and poodles. In fact, she recently was awarded the WHS Act of Kindness Award. Lynn teamed up with a veterinarian, Dr. Christine Monroe, to tackle the horse rescue project. The starved, lice-infested, wormy pair of horses were taken in with loving arms. Proper food, water, shelter, blankets, and medicine for the internal and external parasites were generously provided. Lynn and Christine grew especially fond of Red because of “her kindness and will to live.”

After about a month in foster care, a home was found for Red and her three-year-old daughter. The new owners were initially very enthusiastic. Unfortunately, the two horses were more of a project than expected and they became too much of a burden. Red and her daughter returned to Lynn’s.

The filly’s condition improved faster than Red’s, and with that and her more youthful years, it wasn’t too long before a suitable home for the filly was found. Red, however, wasn’t improving as quickly. Although she gained greatly in strength and energy, she continued to look horribly underweight and rough. With her advanced years, a willing home couldn’t be found. Several people came out to look at her, but quickly lost interest and left. As the weeks turned into months, the options for Red were dwindling. The WHS was struggling to find homes for numerous horse cases. In spite of the fondness for Red, time, patience and resources were running thin.

Red’s guardian angel came in the form a veterinary assistant intern named Ruben from the Bellingham Technical College. In addition to his veterinary assistant duties, he was working for Lynn and knew about Red. While interning at Village Veterinary Hospital, he told one of their veterinarians, Dr. Rachel Bangert, about Red. He told her how Red had been starved, how Lynn and Christine had been providing a home for her for over three months, and how, because she couldn’t be placed into a permanent home, she might have to be euthanized. Although Red had improved considerably over the three months, her condition was still very poor. It wasn’t clear if she could ever recover from her emaciated condition. In spite of these doubts, Rachel and her husband, Ken, decided to take Red into their home and continue the battle to save her. The kindness in the mare's eyes may have influenced their decision.

After several more months of patience and numerous bills for feed, blankets, lab tests, deworming, trimming, delousing powder, dentistry, etc., Red has finally returned to good health, seven months after WHS seized her. She has made an incredible transformation from a near death rack of bones with a gut full of worms to an easy keeper that may need to go on a diet. Rachel has even started riding her. And she still has her kind eyes, which are perhaps a bit more grateful to be in her new home. 

A few observations concerning the subject of neglect:
• Horses that have been starved so severely that they have lost over 50% of their normal body weight are much less likely to survive.
• Taking on a starved horse is a formidable project. There is no guarantee of success and there is a lot of potential heartache and expense along the way.
• The WHS and the various local rescue facilities are always in need of financial support. Donation is another way to try to help these horses out.
• Feeding starved horses requires great care and patience. Starved horses are depleted of fat and carbohydrate stores and are burning protein from muscles for fuel. Their bodies are running in an altered metabolic state and they cannot be fed like normal horses. Feeding concentrated calories to the starved horse can lead to heart, respiratory and kidney damage, not to mention colic. Instead, numerous meals of good quality forage are recommended. Consulting with your veterinarian to outline a feeding program after an examination and laboratory tests is highly advisable.
• Expect six months or more for the emaciated horse to recover. Emaciated horses are in a fragile state – be patient. Feed changes must be gradual.
• Not all skinny horses are skinny because of neglect. Some skinny horses have owners who love them and provide them with everything possible to keep them as healthy as possible with special feed and care to try to get weight on them. Some old horses are like some very old people who simply stay skinny. Some of these old, skinny horses are active, happy and love to eat the gruel their owners provide. They have proper shelter and regular farrier and veterinary care. These horses do not need to be seized and the decision as to if and when they should be euthanized is between the owners and their veterinarian.

Happy Holidays!

Top 5 Infectious Diseases

Keep your horse safe on the road and in the barn, part 1 of 2
by R. Paul Schwab, D.V.M.

This month Dr. Sauter and I were asked, “What are the top five infectious diseases to worry about when bringing horses to a show or event?" Tough question.

Several factors need to be considered:
1) Where is the horse going (state, country, distance, etc.)
2) What diseases are prevalent in that region
3) Where are the animals at the event coming from, and
4) What vaccinations has your horse been given and how long ago?

Dr. Sauter and I came up with a long list to choose from:

Influenza
Rhinopneumonitis
Equine Infectious Anemia
Strangles
Salmonella
Potomac Horse Fever
Rabies
West Nile Disease
Vesicular Stomatitis
Ringworm
Lawsonia
Anaplasmosis
Pleuropneumonia
Lyme Disease
MERSA
Botulism
Tetanus
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Misc. Fungal Infections
EPM
Eastern and Western Encephalitis


To narrow down this long list we tried to think of the top five that horses are likely to come into contact with when in a show situation in a specific region. Below are our choices. Next month, part two of this article will discuss prevention and control of these syndromes as well as general disease prevention and health tips for going to events.

Equine Influenza
In Equine Infectious Diseases, author Debra Sellon states, “Influenza is the most frequently diagnosed and economically important cause of viral respiratory disease of the horse.” As in people, Influenza or “flu” is seen throughout the world. The Influenza virus has a very short incubation period with clinical signs occurring within 48 hours post infection. Horses are exposed to the virus via nasal secretions from infected horses or horses still shedding the virus up to a week after clinical disease. The virus can be transmitted not only directly, but also through the air in confined areas (stalls and barns), and it can survive in the environment for 72 hours on moist surfaces. Clinical signs include fever (up to 106°F), clear nasal discharge followed by cloudy discharge within 48-72 hours, coughing, and lethargy. Affected horses usually don’t eat well and may have swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or neck. Other signs may include muscle soreness, secondary pneumonia, and limb swelling. There is no treatment aside from supportive care, anti-inflammatory medications, and antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections.

Equine Herpesvirus
There are two types of Equine Herpesvirus of concern: EHV-1 and EHV-4. Both are capable of causing respiratory disease or Rhinopneumonitis (Rhino). EHV-4 is a common cause of viral respiratory disease in horses, especially in young animals. Affected animals will have a “biphasic” fever that goes up and down, often for several days. Coughing and clear nasal discharge are common, as are secondary bacterial infections. EHV-1 can also cause abortions in pregnant mares and neurologic disease in horses. The neurologic form has gotten recent press because of several outbreaks between 2000 and 2006. Clinical signs of the neurologic form include hind-limb weakness or paralysis, bladder and/or tail paralysis, and recumbency. Unfortunately, horses can hold onto the virus in their nerve ganglia for years, ending up in a lifelong carrier state. This makes control more difficult. Transmission from horse to horse is via direct contact and indirectly from fomites (any agent capable of absorbing and transmitting a disease organism) such as people, tack, and contaminated surfaces. Aborted fetuses, placentas, and fluids are particularly high in the virus.

Strangles
No list would be complete without this one. Strangles is the common name for the infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi. It’s known for the classic abscesses that it causes under the jaw, which swell up and “strangle” the horse. This bacterium is extremely contagious and is spread easily through contact with nasal secretions, whether directly or indirectly from water troughs, tack, or people. Infected horses can shed the bacteria for weeks after clinical disease, and in some cases harbor the bacteria in their guttural pouches and become shedders for life. Clinical signs for Strangles are commonly high fever (104°F) and copious amounts of cloudy white nasal discharge, along with the abovementioned abscesses.

West Nile Virus
I debated whether or not to add this to the list. West Nile virus (WNV) is not very prevalent in Washington, though there have been a number of cases in Eastern Washington, as well as Oregon, Idaho and California. For those traveling with their horses through these and other areas, especially during the summer and fall, there is a higher risk. The disease is caused by a virus that is spread to horses (and people) through mosquitoes. The virus damages the neurologic tissue in the brain and/or spinal cord, causing symptoms such as extreme lethargy, depression, difficulty eating, and difficulty walking. Thirty percent of unvaccinated horses that get infected with WNV will die.

Everything Else/Honorable Mentions
We couldn’t quite decide on the last disease to put on this list. There are several that could fit here, depending on where you live. Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis are of concern in the Southeast; Potomac Horse Fever is of concern on the East Coast. Lawsonia intercellularis is a bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea in young horses, especially those stressed by weaning or traveling. And, of course, Equine Infectious Anemia is the viral disease that we test for with a Coggins Test for health certificates. It is not extremely common, but the equine community and federal and state governments have worked hard to keep it so.

It’s best to talk to local event officials or veterinarians to help decide which diseases are of more concern for a particular area. Check back with us next month for tips on disease prevention at shows and events.

Prescription Drugs for Horses

The FDA regulates drugs for your horses' protection
by Dave Sauter, DVM

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the governing body that regulates the development, production and sale of medications in the United States, both human and animal. Here, we’ll review the basic rules and regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry.

FDA Approval
All new drugs must be approved by the FDA before they go to market. Pharmaceuticals have to demonstrate through mandated, standardized methods--including blinded control studies--that the new drug is safe and effective for the intended animal and medical purpose. The company must establish that the drug can be manufactured consistently, batch after batch; that it remains stable; and determine a reliable shelf life. Monitoring continues once the drug is in production, and the FDA also regulates marketing and advertising activities associated with the drug.

Generic Drugs
Generic drugs must be approved by the FDA just like name-brand drugs. After the patent has expired on the “pioneer” drug, other companies are then permitted to produce it. They must demonstrate that the generic is the bioequivalent to the brand-name version in dosage form, efficacy, safety, strength, route of administration, quality and intended use. Like the pioneer drug, they must follow the same Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) mandated by the FDA in federally inspected plants. Once generics are allowed, consumer prices for the product go down substantially.

Extra-label Use
The costs associated with bringing drugs to market are enormous. Consequently, it is not surprising that there are many situations where approved veterinary medications are simply unavailable. The necessary research and development, not to mention the formidable FDA approval process and subsequent monitoring requirements, are economically unattractive to manufacturers. Fortunately, practitioners are permitted to use their discretion and utilize medications beyond the label indications. For example, Adequan is labeled for arthritis in the knee but is commonly employed for arthritis of other joints. Naxcel is an antibiotic labeled for respiratory infections but is commonly used for other infections. Prior to Gastroguard, there were no gastric ulcer medications approved for horses. Human ulcer products were routinely prescribed “extra-label.”

Dispensing vs. Prescribing
Generally, all new pioneer drugs are prescription. In order to provide prescription drugs, a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship must be established. This means that the veterinarian has examined and is familiar with the patient and has determined that the drug is appropriate. This also provides an opportunity to review proper dosing, storage and administration.

Most veterinary prescription products are dispensed directly by the attending veterinarian. It is permitted and sometimes necessary to prescribe medications through outside sources, such as extra-label use of a human medication not kept in the clinic inventory but available at a local human pharmacy.

The FDA has the authority to change a prescription drug status to over-the-counter (OTC). This is done for products that have been on the market long enough and no longer require veterinarian supervision. An example of this is procaine penicillin, which is readily available from most feed stores. These OTC products are still regulated and monitored, and the manufacturing facilities are inspected by the FDA.

Direct marketing of health products to horse owners through magazines, catalogs, and other publications is becoming commonplace. Also, online pharmacies are becoming more prevalent. These alternative sources are a permitted, legal avenue for prescriptions, just so long as they are licensed pharmacies with a registered pharmacist. If they are not licensed, they are selling products illegally. The products sold illegally might be FDA approved drugs. Worse is if the illegal pharmacies are selling illegal, unapproved products, which could be unsafe, impure and poor quality. If there is no mention of FDA approval on the site, beware. It is easy to check the licensing status of an online pharmacy by calling the State Health Department. When in doubt about a product, check with your veterinarian.

Background on the FDA
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Its origin dates back to June of 1906, when President Theodore Roosevelt signed into law the Food and Drug Act. This was in response to concern over adulteration and misbranding of food and drugs on the American market. FDA powers were expanded in 1938 by the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, granting greater authority over drugs, drug labeling, safety standards, inspections, enforcement and standards for food and cosmetics. This legislation was in response to numerous injurious products that made it to the marketplace, such as radioactive beverages, cosmetics that caused blindness, and the 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy, during which over 100 people died because the elixir used an untested toxic solvent.

Today, the FDA regulates companies and industries that account for roughly $1.5 trillion worth of consumer goods and medicines. The agency is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, biologics (e.g., vaccines and blood products), over-the-counter medicines, medical devices, cosmetics, nutritional supplements and all food products except meat and poultry. The Center for Veterinary Medicine is the branch of the FDA that regulates food, food additives and drugs given to animals. Animal vaccines are regulated by the USDA, not the FDA.

Equine First Aid

by Dave Sauter, DVM

Although we had snow in late April, the summer months should be fast approaching. There are more horse activities during these months and people are showing, pleasure riding, trail riding and traveling more with their horses. This is also breeding and foaling season. With all this activity, travel, and commingling of horses, there is more risk of illness, injury and other health related problems. Consequently, it is a good time to review the basics of first aid and what is included in a first aid kit.

Know Your Horse
The first step in first aid happens before a problem develops. Knowing your horse and getting familiar with what is normal will make it easier to recognize when something is abnormal. Whoever has the job of feeding the horses and cleaning their stalls has some of the best information on how they are doing. Horses are eating machines. Like other herbivores, they are capable--with the help of fermenting microorganisms--of digesting parts of plants we cannot. But they need a lot of the raw material and can spend up to 16 hours a day eating. The remaining hours are spent playing, socializing, sleeping, looking around, performing people-related activities and such. When horses are not eating, there is a problem: with all this food intake, there is understandably quite a lot coming out the other end. Horses defecate around a dozen times a day. With this much production, it doesn’t take long for a problem in the plumbing to escalate into something serious.

Horses are creatures of habit; routine and predictability help prey animals like horses feel more secure. Whoever cares for the horses often becomes familiar with their routines and habits and can notice when something deviates from the normal pattern. Subtle changes can be an indication that the horse is ADR. ADR is an abbreviation for the technical medical term, “Ain’t Doin' Right.” As a prey animal, it is to the advantage of the horse to conceal when there is a problem and it is more vulnerable, so subtle changes may be clues of an underlying serious problem. An ADR horse needs further observation, monitoring and investigation.

Know What to Look For
Of course, many signs of problems are more obvious. For instance, a horse with colic is experiencing visceral pain. With milder forms of colic, it might be off feed, stoic, or distant with a stressed look in its eyes. The horse might have a tight abdomen, occasionally paw at the ground or kick at its belly, curl its upper lip, and may lie down excessively. More severe visceral pain can lead to more violent symptoms, such as frequently lying down and getting up, more violent rolling and kicking at the belly, sweating, and more difficulty keeping the horse up and moving. Other things to look for include painful conditions of the eye, which result in squinting, excessive tearing, and sometimes swelling of the eyelids.

With any problem, make an initial appraisal of the horse’s condition from a distance. This allows observation of the horse’s general appearance and behavior, gives you a chance to assess the horse’s safety as well as your own and will help determine what supplies, if any, you will need.

For instance, if there is severe bleeding, some type of pressure will be necessary to apply to the wound. Often it is very helpful to get the vital signs of the horse, which include the temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate. Normal temperature is 99.0 to 101.0 degrees Fahrenheit. The normal heart rate is 30 to 44 beats per minute, and the respiratory rate is 8 to 16 breaths per minute.

Look at the gums by lifting up the upper lip. The gums should be moist, and normal color is pink. Abnormal color can be pale, dark pink, red or bluish. Check capillary refill time (CRT) by pressing on the gums with a finger, releasing, and counting how long it takes for the color to come back. Normal CRT is less than one second.

Skin turgidity is checked by tenting the skin up near the base of the shoulder, releasing it, and watching how fast it bounces back - it should bounce back very rapidly. If it doesn't, this could be a sign of more serious problems.

The First Aid Kit
There are many items that could be included in the list of useful supplies. Here is a list of essentials:

· Bandage materials are necessary to apply pressure to control bleeding; to cover, protect and stabilize a wound; and to support an injured leg. Duct tape is useful as an outer, more resilient layer for foot bandages. A word of caution about bandaging horses: a lot of damage can be done by bandaging a horse improperly. The longer a bandage is going to be in place, the more important it is that it be applied properly and monitored regularly.
· Thermometer
· Stethoscope (for getting the heart rate and listening to gut sounds)
· Antiseptic ointment
· Antiseptic spray
· Pen light
· Flashlight
· Watch with second hand
· Mild surgical scrub (for cleaning wounds--must be rinsed off!)
· Sterile saline (can be purchased at your veterinarian’s office or homemade by adding a heaping teaspoon of table salt to a quart of deionized water)
· Iodine solution (useful for foot baths)
· Epsom salts (useful for foot baths)
· Knife (for cutting rope, twine, etc.)
· Bandage scissors (blunt tip)
· Latex gloves (to protect you from contaminating your horse’s wound and vice versa)
· Fly spray
· Cell phone
· Veterinarian’s phone number(s)

Supplies need to be stored in a clean, dry, safe area in an organized, accessible location so necessary items can be readily found when needed. Tote trays can be helpful to organize smaller items that can be easily carried to the stall, paddock, field, or wherever required. For trail conditions, liquids or ointments can be transferred into properly labeled smaller-sized plastic containers with screw top lids. Watertight containers or Ziploc bags can be used for other supplies. Some type of soft carrying case can be employed to store everything. For those going on more extended rides or trips, talk to your veterinarian about other items to include when you are further from veterinary assistance (e.g., eye medication, anti-inflammatory medication).

We all hope our horses stay strong, healthy and happy. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, as do illnesses and other health problems. Knowing your horse, having basic first aid skills and keeping necessary first aid supplies available will help you be prepared.

Veterinary Q&A for Kids

by Dave Sauter, DVM

Q. How many teeth does a horse have, and what kind of care do the teeth need?
-Hailey, age 7

A. Unlike other domesticated animals, the number of teeth horses have varies. The number can be between 36 and 44. Think of the horse’s mouth as having four rows of teeth: left upper, left lower, right upper, and right lower. Every horse has at least 9 teeth in each row (three incisor, three premolar, and three molar) so every horse has at least 36 teeth (9+9+9+9). All male horses have canine teeth, one in each of the four rows. This means all male horses have at least 10 teeth in each row, or a total of at least 40 teeth. That brings us to the one last possible tooth in each row, the infamous wolf tooth. The wolf tooth is not always present. Both male and female horses can get wolf teeth. Usually, they only get upper wolf teeth; lower wolf teeth are rare.

Regular dental care helps promote healthier horses. Horses should have their teeth checked once a year. Their teeth are different from ours--they continue to grow throughout the horse's life until they finally wear out. As they grow, they get very sharp edges that cut into the horse's gums and make it painful to chew or wear a bridle. Their teeth can get very uneven, creating more serious problems. Nowadays, we “float” or grind their teeth with power tools to smooth out the sharp edges and make them more even again.

Q. Do horses have four stomachs like cows, sheep and goats?
-Grace, age 10

A. No. Cows, sheep, and goats are ruminant animals, which have four parts to their stomachs. These animals have a “true” stomach, kind of similar to ours in some ways (it produces gastric acid and enzymes to help digest food). In front of this true stomach are three other large chambers, specially designed for digesting plant material we humans cannot. Because these three large chambers are before the true stomach, they are called forestomachs. Thus, ruminants are foregut fermenters. Deer, elk, camels, llamas and alpacas are also ruminants.

Like ruminants, horses are herbivores and can digest plant material like grass and hay. Unlike ruminants, horses have only one stomach, a “true” stomach. Horses also have large chambers for digesting plant material but theirs are a long way downstream from the stomach. The horse’s large fermentation chambers are the cecum and large colon. Hence, horses are “monogastric” and are hindgut fermenters.

Q. How much hay should a horse eat?
-Kameron, age 8

A. An average 1000 lb. horse will eat about 20 lb. or so of hay per day. That will vary some depending on what the horse does for exercise and what other food it gets. Just for comparison, a horse might eat up to 60 to 100 lb. of lush green grass per day to get the same amount of food found in 20 lb. of hay because so much more of the green grass is water.

Q. What are final examinations like prior to graduating from veterinary school?
-Kate, age 16

A. You are challenging my memory a bit with this question, since I graduated long before you were born, but I’ll give it a try. All veterinary schools have fully equipped hospitals for all species, staffed with a full gambit of clinicians, residents, interns, and students. These are teaching hospitals. Veterinary students spend their entire senior year rotating through the various departments (small animal medicine, small animal surgery, large animal medicine, large animal surgery, pathology, ophthalmology, etc.) developing their knowledge, skills, and experience. Senior students are allowed some time away from school for private practice preceptorships. In a sense, senior year is like one long practical exam, testing you on everything you learned the previous three years.

Senior students also are required to sit the National Board Examination, which covers all species, even wild animals like you might find in a zoo. It covers all subjects, from medicine and surgery to ethics. This is a written test and it takes all day to finish. Each individual state also requires sitting a state examination. Generally, these state examinations cover the laws and regulations concerning the practice of veterinary medicine within that state.

Q. What should I use to deworm my horse?
-Frances, age 11

A. Internal parasites are nasty creatures that compete for nutrients, damage internal organs and cause health problems such as weight loss, respiratory disease and colic. Unfortunately, the domestication of the horse and the necessary confinement it imposes allow parasite numbers to grow way beyond what they do in the wild. Periodic purge deworming is necessary to cope with the problem.

Today’s dewormers are safe, relatively inexpensive, and so far, effective; your vet can help you choose the kind that is right for your area. Parasitologists are concerned that parasites could develop resistance to our current products if they are used too much; in fact, this problem has started to happen in small ruminants.

Consequently, we need to be conservative with our use of these products. The schedule our clinic recommends includes four purge dewormings per year and is outlined on our website (www.kulshanvet.com). Twice yearly fecal tests for parasite eggs can help determine if your program is working. Good manure management also helps control parasites since many of the parasite species pass their eggs in feces.

Q. How do you properly wash a horse?
-Bella, age 5

A. As long as it is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, it is warm enough for a horse to have a bath. Warm water lathers better, cleans better, and feels better. If you don’t have a warm water faucet, try a sponge bath with 5 gallon buckets of warm water. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the shampoo off. For specific bathing products and techniques, I’d prefer to let the show horse experts comment.

Q. How many gallons of water do horses drink in a day?
-Brittany, age 8

A. Water is essential for horses and the amount they need is affected by weather and the amount of exercise the horse is getting. Because horses come in different sizes and shapes, one way to describe the amount of water they need per day is in terms of their body weight.

In general, in cool weather the average horse will drink about ½ gallon of water per 100 lb. of body weight per day. So, a 1000 lb. horse would drink about 5 gallons per day. Hot weather, hard work, and milk production for a suckling foal will increase the amount of water horses need up to 3 times that amount, or 1½ gallons per 100 lb. of body weight per day. This is a fairly wide range, so the best advice is to provide free access to fresh, clean, and not frozen water at all times. There is an exception to this rule: if a horse has been worked hard and has finished working, do not provide free access to water for at least an hour, until the horse has cooled out. If the horse is walked to help it cool out, it can have a few swallows of water every five minutes or so. Horses that haven’t finished their work (for example, a hard trail ride) can be permitted to drink moderately.

Thank you for the wonderful questions!