"Acupuncture and Pain Relief for Horses”

"Acupuncture and Pain Relief for Horses”

January 16, 2007

Details are available online at www.equinemedicalcenter.net or by contacting Amy Troppmann at (703) 771-6843. ‘ The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center presented “Equine Neurological Issues Over the Life Course” during its first Tuesday Talk session of the season. The seminar, which was held in Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, December 5, featured Martin O. Furr, DVM, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVIM who is the Adelaide C. Riggs Chair in Equine Medicine at the center. The meeting was attended by more than 40 veterinarians, horse owners and horse enthusiasts.

Highlights from the presentation included:

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy — also known as dummies, barkers, convulsives, and neonatal maladjustment — occurs within the first three days of a foal’s life. The condition is typically attributed to complications during delivery. Symptoms include dullness, failure to nurse, blindness, seizures, aimless wandering and a lack of affinity for the mare. Foals suffering from HIE may be hypothermic but do not usually exhibit a fever. The condition of affected foals typ. . ically worsens for one to two days and then stabilizes and returns to normal function on days five through seven.

HIE is diagnosed through physical examinations and his§ tory, and evaluation of the blood and spinal fluid. It is treated through the administration of intravenous fluids and i nutrition, control of seizures, antibiotics, blood pressure sup; port and ventilation support The prognosis for full recovery is 75% to 80% when the patient’s condition is not complicated by infection. There are typically no long-term complicaI tions for survivors of HIE.

Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalitis-1 is a viral infection that can lead to nervous system disease, respiratory disease, abortion and genital infections. EHV-1 features the characteristic of latency and is spread by direct contact Although this form is most commonly seen in older animals, it can affect horses of any age. Horses who contract EHV-1 typically exhibit a transient fever that follows a one-week / incubation period. Additional symptoms include an abrupt •' onset of depression, stumbling in the rear limbs with weakf ness, and bladder and rectal paralysis.

Diagnosis of EHV-1 includes evaluation of clinical signs and history, as well as cultures of blood, nasal secretions, and cerebrospinal fluid. Antibody tests may also be used although false negative results to these tests are common. Treatment for EHV-1 includes oral fluids and nutritional support, evacuation of the rectum and bladder, and anti-inflammatory drugs. 30 days of isolation and restricted movement is recommended for premises housing a horse that is suspected of having EHV-1. A quarantine period of 14 days for all incom- ; . ing animals can aid in the prevention of the disease. The vaccines that are available for other forms of the Equine . Herpesvirus are not effective against the neurological form of EHV-1.

Botulism is a disease that is caused by the presence of the clostridium botulinum toxin and results in severe muscle weakness. In foals, it is known as “Shaker Foal Disease” and usually affects horses that are one to two months of age. In adults, it is known as “Forage Poisoning” and has an 80 percent fatality rate. Horses affected by botulism will drag their toes and exhibit muscle trembling, a weak or shuffling gait, lowered head and an overall chill appearance.

Diagnosis is made by evaluation of clinical signs, analysis of the stomach, blood and intestinal tracts, electromyography and post-mortem examination. A serum is available to neutralize the clostridium botulinum toxin once contracted. Supportive care includes nutritional and fluid support, oral laxatives, cleaning of wounds, mechanical ventilation and management of recumbency. Vaccination and proper cleaning of feed bins can help to prevent horses from contracting the disease.

Wobblers is another term for cervical spinal cord comv pression. A common cause of this spinal cord disease in young adult horses is Cervical Vertebral Myelopathy (CVM). Wobblers is most common among two to three year old Thoroughbreds but it can be seen in horses of all breeds and ages. Clinical signs of CVM include stumbling and tripping, an uncoordinated or unsteady gait that is worse in the rear legs than in the front legs, swaying of the body and erratic foot placement. It is often first noticed when horses are being broken or trained and is usually slow to progress. i • ——. — — ■ .-.i.-.. .