equine myth busters

1. Equine Myth Busters Barry V. Strickland DVM

2. Introduction to Myth Busters Why do we have myths or old wives tails Advancements in research Traditions To help explain some common misconceptions in the equine community

3. Myths to be Covered The �Fungus� among us Twist and Shout The No 1 sign of colic recovery is not No 2. Teaser buttons

4. The Myth: The Fungus Among Us All skin infection are caused by a fungus.

5. The Fact The fact is most skin infections in the horse are caused by bacteria. Correct terminology: Dermatophilosis Bacteria: Dermatophilous congolensis

6. Dermatophilosis Aka Rain rot, The Fungus, Scratches Location � along back, dorsal cannon bones, pastern area Diagnosis � examination, cultures, biopsy Treatment � Good hygiene, topical shampoos and ointment, severe cases systemic antibiotics

7. Infection

8. The Myth:Twist and Shout That horses seen rolling are going to �Twist a Gut�.

9. Common Presentations During Colic In the Field

10. The Facts Horses just aren�t made that way. The mathematical formulas 1 Horse x X # rolls = no colic 1 Horse x 1 Colic x X #rolls = no twist No. times seen rolling = R2 No. times seen down colicing = D2 R2 doesn�t equal D2

11. What? E = mc� is wrong! Rolling for muse (m) times colics seen squared (c�) does not equal Equine (E) gut twist. Well how do they twist? .

12. Well How Do They Twist? Suspect motility malfunctions and altered digestive mechanisms Motility Malfunctions? Parasites Feeding schedules Post partum period

13. The Myth:That the No. 1 sign of colic recovery is not No. 2. That during a colic, defecating is a sign that the horse is going to be Ok.

15. Common Presentations Just get her to go and she might be alright. Doc, I think we are alright now, she just �went�, but you go ahead and treat her. I knew when we put her on that trailer and she �made a pile� that she was going to be OK.

16. The Fact Distance 60 - 80 feet of small intestine 16 feet of large colon including the cecum 8-10 feet of small colon including the rectum Uncommon area for colic

18. The Myth:Teaser buttons That if the tail of the epididemis (teaser button) is left during a castration the horse will continue to act like a stud.

19. Common Presentations Doc, that vet up in Arkansas must have left the teaser button in that old gelding. I see him out there �going to� those mares all the time. Doc, you can�t get that �son of gun� around no mares. Well just last week he threw my old daughter off trying to get to one.

20. The Facts Masculine behavior Testosterone still present Sometimes a trained response Tail of the Epididymis Storage area No testosterone made Teaser button an excuse for a �Proud Cut� horse Proud Cut Testicular tissue still present Either left behind Never gotten

23. Take Home Message There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding equine medicine. It�s great to take advice or rely on others experiences and knowledge, but don�t forget to do your own research Be willing change your understanding Ask your Vet.

24. Skin Disease Barry V. Strickland DVM

25. What is Skin? Largest organ in the horses body Allows sensation Controls water loss and aids in mineral conservation Protects internal organs Protect against ambient temperature fluctuations

26. Basic Anatomy 2 Layers Epidermis � outside layer which is composed of dried cells Dermis � Deeper layer This layer is the living portion. Houses all of the nerves, blood vessels, and sweat glands

28. Most common skin disorders Trauma Chemical irritants Sunburn Infections Parasites Tumors

29. Diagnostic Aids Good History Examination Scraping Cultures Biopsy

30. Trauma Lacerations Most common Protruding objects in the environment Blunt trauma Kicks Vehicles Fences

32. Chemical irritants Urine Feces Shampoos Fly sprays Snake oils

33. Chemical irritants

34. Sunburns Primary � light skinned horses Secondary to other internal disorders Secondary to drug therapy

35. Infections 2 main groups Skin is naturally covered with fungus and bacteria. This is called normal flora. Primary Most commonly secondary

36. Bacterial Infections Aka Rain rot, The Funk, Scratches Location � along back, dorsal cannon bones, pastern area Diagnosis � examination, cultures, biopsy Treatment � Good hygiene, topical shampoos and ointment, severe cases systemic antibiotics

37. Fungal Infection Aka Ringworm Location � anywhere commonly on head, neck and shoulders Can spread from horse/horse or horse/human Diagnosis � examination, cultures Treatment � very expensive for systemic tx and hasn�t been shown to work well. Rely mainly on topical tx

38. Parasites Lice Ticks Gnats Habronema Larva Onchocerca species Choroptic spp.

39. Lice Common in Miniature horses Location � found under mane Diagnosis � visual treatment � shampoos containing parasiticide

40. Ticks Location � in and around the ears Prefer summer heat Horses that graze in high grass seem to be the most prone to getting them Horses will become ear shy quickly. Treatment � Removing ticks (sedation!!!) Anti-inflammatories, Antibiotics

41. Gnats Location � ears, mane, and tail head Prefer milder temperatures (ie late spring, early fall) Diagnosis � visual Treatment � tx primary with fly sprays, 2 with antibiotic and steroids

42. Habronema (aka Summer sores) Larva of common stall fly, that invades damaged tissue Can be mistaken for other skin diseases (proud flesh, sarcoid) Diagnosis � history, examination, biopsy Treatment � multi-dimensional, Ivermectin, topical and systemic steroids

43. Onchocerca Non seasonal but worse in the spring and summer Larva from gnats living in the skin Not all individual bitten react to Onchocerca Location � face, neck, ventral abdomen and chest Clinical signs � thinning of the hair coat, crusts, plaques, scaling, to the point of severely ulcerated, oozing lesions Diagnosis � Minced biopsy Treatment � Ivermectin, steroids,

44. Onchocerca

45. Chorioptic Mange Location � commonly in the pastern area Climate � Late spring to early winter Clinical signs � Thick oily matted hair in the caudal pastern area. Diagnosis � skin scraping and sometimes biopsy Treatment � Ivermectin and topical shampoo

46. Chorioptic Mange

47. Tumors Skin is the most common place for tumors Commonly self limiting 4 main types Squamous cell carcinoma Sarcoid Warts Melanomas

48. Squamous Cell Carcinoma Location � around eyes and sheath Malignant � spreads from one area to another Diagnosis � examination, biopsy Treatment � excision, cyro-therapy, topical ointment

49. Sarcoid Viral in origin Location � On the torso and around eyes Diagnosis � exam, biopsy Treatment � excision, cryo-therapy, topical ointments

50. Warts Viral in origin Usually in 2 year olds and younger Location - muzzle, face and ears Diagnosis � History, exam Treatment � excision, immunemodulatory, topical ointments, none of the above

51. Melanoma Gray horses Location - Muzzle, throat latch and under tail area Unlike humans, they are rarely malignant Can ulcerate and become infected by secondary invaders Diagnosis � exam, biopsy Treatment � cimetidine, excision

52. Summary Come in all shapes and sizes Can be treated Good husbandry is a must Being very observant Examination by your veterinarian Consistent care and patience