Preventable Horse Diseases

Horses, like humans need special attention and nurturing especially during growing up periods. Caring for horses all the more is extravagant as they have special needs with regards to food, shelter, health maintenance and recreation. As rearing horses and the horse industry promise great financial rewards, it is only appropriate that such animals are treated with utmost care and compassion as they are part of the family.
Horses too can be afflicted with life-threatening illnesses, that when left uncontrolled and untreated, will surely claim the lives of herds. Lockjaw or popularly known as tetanus is a disease caused by neurotoxic Clostridium tetani found commonly in soil involving the skeletal muscles. The infection generally enters into the contaminated deep punctured wound or umbilical stump of foals.

Early symptoms include colicky abdominal pains, stiffness and spasm around the wound but as the disease progresses, it involves muscular spasm of the jaw and neck making breathing difficult and eventually, the horse will go into respiratory paralysis and die of respiratory failure.
Equine encephalitis is contracted from mosquitoes that generally affect the central nervous system of horses characterized by high fever for two to three days. As inflammation of the brain occurs, the motor and sensory functioning of the animal is also disrupted such as loss of motor coordination and purpose characterized by compulsive walking, inability to focus and localize which may be attributed to loss of sight. As the disease worsens, signs of decreasing sensorium or levels of consciousness appear such as lethargy or difficulty in arousing from sleep. The horse appears to be oblivious to surrounding activity that it will prefer to sleep rather than eat. Once the virus attacks the spinal cord, symptoms involving the motor functioning are evidenced through staggering gaits, muscular weakness and twitching. The horse later dies of respiratory paralysis or failure due to uncontrolled seizure and asphyxia or prolonged loss of oxygen supply.
Lyme disease, which can also affect humans, is caused by the bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by ticks characterized by multi-systemic diseases involving the musculoskeletal and neurological system such as arthritic pain, swelling of tendons, ligaments and joints, behavioral changes like irritability and lameness. Although the disease starts gradually but lasts as long as months, treatment may last even up to two years. Although it is not fatal, late diagnosis may cause death as well especially that lyme disease is difficult to diagnose because most often, symptoms are associated with other diseases and onset are often gradual and negligible.
Thus the key to good prognosis and survival lie in early detection of the diseases that afflict horses along with early and proper treatment. Various means of preventing the occurrence of diseases such as vaccines, vitamins, grooming materials including soaps, shampoo and powder, mosquito repellants and among others are available in the market to help maintain your horses' good health. When diseases strike, it is best to consult your local veterinarian the soonest possible to alleviate the suffering of your horses. As the old adage goes true that "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure."

Avoid mortality and morbidity among your herds by providing them with all the best amenities and accessories that they are due such as horse stall mats [http://www.UniquelyHorse.com/] that will keep them warm and dry during winter nights and clean underneath the mats. Install horse stall fronts [http://www.UniquelyHorse.com/] that permit them the joy of seeing you approach and nuzzling you when you are around.

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