Abscess
Signs
Swelling seen or felt under the skin. When forming in early stages swelling is diffuse, hot, painful, hard. In later stages more localised, softer, less painful, forms a point, at this stage when pressed with finger it usually shows a depression, horse may be lethargic, off food, have temperature.
Causes
In most cases a foreign body penetrates the skin and underlying tissue, e.g. when rubbing
neck against fence horse may cause splinter of wood to penetrate into the skin or when grazing may pick up a grass seed.
Abscesses under the jaw usually caused by internal infection such as strangles,
internal abscesses sometimes develop on liver, lungs and elsewhere associated with generalised bacterial infection.
Treatment
In early stages, if puncture site obvious, thoroughly cleanse area with iodine
based scrub. Remove dirt, debris or dead tissue, check wound to see no foreign body remains embedded. Apply a drawing agent.
Anaemia
RED BLOOD CORPUSCLE DEFICIENCY
Cause
Usually poor pastures, iron deficiency, heavy worm
infestation, specific diseases, haemorrhage.
Symptoms
Emaciation, harsh coat, visible mucous membranes of eye and mouth pallid,
easily tired in work, lacking in energy. A blood count will confirm diagnosis.
Treatment
Iron and vitamin supplement especially
vitamins B12 and B15.
Arthritis
Inflammation of joints. Cause: Injury, rheumatics, specific in some diseases.
Symptoms
Heat and swelling of the joints, temperature up, pain and stiffness in movement, off feed in bad cases.
Treatment
Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Buzitone, cortasone. Liniments externally,
warmly clothed, especially over loins, cut out the grain in feed and use greenstuff. Veterinarian can administer injections.
Azoturia
HAEMOGLOBINUREA, MONDAY MORNING DISEASE
Cause
Usually appears in horses on hard feed after a few days idleness or rest, especially in cold, frosty and windy weather, more common among mares.
Symptoms
Horse becomes stiff behind, proppy, lame, drops the hindquarters.
If forced to move on, will go down, losing all control of the hindquarters, which become very hard to the touch.
Sweats and blows profusely, great pain, urine becomes thick and darkly discoloured like coffee.
Treatment
When symptoms are first noticed immediately stop exercising or working the horse, give enemas of hot soap suds, use a catheter where necessary.