Horse Diseases
Warts
Signs
Lumps varying in size from 2 mm to 2 cm, common sites are nose, lips, eyelids and cheeks, colour from pink to grey, have raised, rough surface.
Cause
Virus can be transmitted from one horse to another, probably gaining entry through cut or abrasion in skin, biting flies may be involved in spread.
Treatment
Condition self limiting, usually regressing within 3 months. Sometimes warts can be broken by rubbing, they bleed and are susceptible to flies. If warts a problem especially on horse studs, fences, stables, head collars and brushes should be thoroughly cleaned with formalin solution.
Wind Galls
Cause
Sudden strain or concussion. May be hereditary.
Symptoms
The swellings may appear on either side and slightly above the fetlock joint or behind the fetlock.
They vary in size and, common in old horses but rarely cause lameness.
Treatment
In the early stages apply strong liniment daily and bandage overnight. In severe cases blister well. Contact vet for further advice.
WEAVING
Signs
Cause
Treatment
Nervous, highly strung, accentuated by boredom.
Hang objects from roof rafters especially in doorways, alleviate boredom in same way as for crib biters.
WEIGHT LOSS
Signs
Horse's normal bodily condition must be taken into consideration.
Causes
Stress produces poor appetite, decrease in protein intake associated with hard work can cause weight
loss, more subtle cause of weight loss can be increased amount of grain being fed to horse
to provide energy for hard work, grains, e.t.c, are a poor source of protein.
Hard work causes muscle fibre fatigue if prolonged, leads to muscle fibre breakdown.
Treatment
Serum protein levels evaluated on a blood count by your veterinarian,
determine whether a high protein feed additive such as soy bean meal or cottonseed meal is required.