Infectious, Regenerative Anemia In Horses

Just as with humans, anemia in horses too is a disorder where there is a shortage of hemoglobin in your blood and leads to weakness and lethargy. Hemoglobin is a kind of protein that transports the oxygen from the lungs to the different parts of the body and this is done through the blood. When this protein drops in content anemia sets in and can also in the long run lead to other illnesses as it weakens the whole body system. The main causes of anemia in horse can be due to an acute injury where there has been a lot of blood loss, through that the hemoglobin levels have dropped drastically. It can also be due to worms or parasites that suck blood and have left a lasting effect on the horse. Sometimes natural iron and vitamin deficiency as after effects of another prolonged illness can also be a cause for regenerative and infectious anemia in horses. Some of the most prominent symptoms of infectious anemia in horses are that your horse may become slow and lethargic and might just even refuse to do any kind of exercise. This may be due to a great deal of weakness; you might notice that your horse gets tired frequently and doesn’t have the energy it had earlier.

Infectious, Regenerative Anemia In Horses Symptoms, Treatment

Your horse may also show signs of appetite and leave its food untouched; as the general health condition of your horse decreases its coat might lose its shine and start shedding large amount of fur. A drastic symptom of regenerative anemia in horses is discoloration of the mucous membrane. These symptoms will help to warn you that your horse may be anemic and the best way of diagnosis is to ask your vet to do a blood test that will be able to determine the hemoglobin levels and the degree of the anemic disorder. The best treatment that you can give your horse is to make sure that it gets enough rest and is able to relax in its surroundings. Make sure that its stable is cleaned every two days and fresh food and water at all times so that it will not be able to breed worms or parasites. Changing the horse diet to one rich in vitamins and minerals especially one with a high iron content will help to thicken the blood and raise the hemoglobin levels.

Chronic Diarrhea in Horses

Horses have more than 100 feet of intestinal tract and hence are likely to be at risk for digestive problems, with chronic diarrhea in horses being quite common. Infectious agents such as salmonella and other parasites are some of the causes of chronic diarrhea in horses. However not all cases of chronic diarrhea in horses are serious. In many cases, horses experience diarrhea after a long ride. They lose water and electrolytes in longer rides and hence undergo dehydration. Diarrhea may also occur when a horse is shifted from his usual environment. In such cases, the diarrhea subsides once the horse is given water and electrolyte supplements.

Another one of the causes of chronic diarrhea in horses, especially older ones, is bad teeth. This may sound surprising but it is one of the most common causes of horse diarrhea. When the feed is not ground properly, it can cause upset and inflammation in the digestive system. It is important to maintain good health of the horse’s teeth. Healthy quantities of grain and hay must also be fed to horses. The important thing to note here is that even though these are less serious causes, the diarrhea can quickly become severe. Therefore taking the horse to a veterinarian is essential. Diarrhea in horses can cause certain symptoms. When a horse experiences diarrhea, there is likely to be large amount of soft feces. Bowel movements will also take place more frequently. Normally, horse feces do not have a bad odor, but due to diarrhea they may take on a bad smell. The horse is also likely to lose appetite and will therefore lose weight. Some horses experience edema, which is the accumulation of fluid in the lower limbs and beneath the belly. Dehydration in horses can be detected from skin tenting, sunken eyes, reduce urination and dry mucus membranes.
Any type of diarrhea in horses requires immediate medical attention. The veterinarian may treat diarrhea in various ways. Firstly the vet may obtain samples of the feces, abdominal fluids or blood. A rectal examination may also be done. These tests will help to determine the kind of treatment that is needed.

Treatment for chronic diarrhea in horses usually involves medications to alleviate the symptoms. In case of severe diarrhea, hospitalization may become necessary so that electrolyte and fluid therapy may be administered. Horse owners may also be required to make certain dietary changes which must be introduced gradually. The horse must be encouraged to drink lots of fluids. The temperature of the horse must also be checked regularly.

Pregnancy in Horses

Gestation or the term of pregnancy in a mare is around 340 days. However, the mare’s breeding history and age can also play a major role in determining how long the gestation period will last before the mare is ready to foal. The weather also plays an important role in determining when the mare is going to foal. If the weather is warm then the gestation is shorter and if the weather is cold then the gestation is longer.
During the gestation period the mare should still be ridden and continue her normal routine as it will help her when it’s finally her time to foal. You should be careful in the 7th month and avoid any strenuous activity and hard jumps as it will create a lot of pressure.

The most exciting stage in mare’s pregnancy is when you are trying to determine whether the mare is pregnant or not as you won’t know for sure in the first two months. The veterinarian will perform the urine and blood test only between 60 to 100 days. At 100 days the foal is around 7 inches long and its main features begin to develop. During the midterm which is between 100 to 250 days the veterinarian will suggest another test as many mares have a miscarriage in the first stage. The foal weighs around 2 pounds at 150 days and by 180 days it weighs 10 pounds. During this stage the foal is the size of a tiny lamb and the mare shows noticeable abdominal weight gain. The third stage of gestation is after 250 days where the foal continues to gain weight rapidly and his lungs develop. The mare also shows noticeable changes at this time. The udder produces a sticky yellow discharge that turns into milk later.  Her abdomen grows very heavy during this time.  By this time you should be ready for foaling although it won’t happen for at least 55 days. Observing the mare on a daily basis is the only way you can keep a check on when the mare is going to foal.

The mare has the ability of postponing the birth if she it is not comfortable with the surroundings. Foaling usually begins at night and finished by the early morning. Never rush the mare - let it foal naturally and do not interfere. It begins nursing within 30 minute to 2 hours after the delivery. This milk contains essential antibodies and Colostrum that is essential for the new foal.

Diarrhea in Horses

Diarrhea is loose unformed excess water in the stool. In horses diarrhea is not a disease but a symptom. It is caused when something disrupts the balance of microbes in the colon. In such a situation the water is not absorbed in the colon and is lost as it is passed out with feces. If this goes on for a long time it can get very serious. The horse will end up getting dehydrated and ultimately die if not treated in time. On the other hand if the horse suffers from mild diarrhea it will pass soft manure and that is not usually considered a problem.
Diarrhea could be caused due to a number of reasons. Some of them are; changes in feed or over feeding the horse. It is considered to be one of the most common reasons why a horse gets diarrhea. Always remember any change in the feed or grain should be slow and gradual. Foods such as hay and grass are processed in the large intestines. In order to process this food it requires the presence of some amount of microbial organisms. A sudden change in the feed results in diarrhea as the number of organisms required is not sufficient. When the quality of the diet is inadequate it could also lead to diarrhea. Always check the feed to make sure that the fat has not gone rancid or there is no mould or bacterial overgrowth on it.  When buying feeds make sure the ingredients don’t have generic terms like ‘grain products’ as different batches may have different ingredients. This will result in rapid feed change. Sand Colic is another cause of diarrhea. This occurs when a horse eats hay of the ground or grazes on short shrubs. Small amounts of sand can be ingested at this time and accumulate.

The veterinary diagnostics for horses with diarrhea includes a careful history and physical exam.  Laboratory tests on both the blood as well as manure are taken depending on the case.  A few precautions horse owner can take in order to prevent diarrhea are:

• Avoid any sudden changes in the diet.
• Insure that it has fresh water all the time. Do not rely on stagnant and contaminated ponds, streams and ditches.
• Always have an appropriate parasite control program.
• Use antibiotics only when necessary and after consulting your veterinarian.
• Always communicate with your veterinarian if you notice diarrhea in an adult horse, before it becomes a severe problem.