Kern Road Veterinary Clinic

Winter 2008 Newsletter

As we enter 2008, it seems that 2007 went very quickly and many changes have taken place at Kern Road Veterinary Clinic. Some of the changes have been very subtle and some not so subtle.

One of our major initiatives was to change from traditional radiography to a CR system. With CR, images are generated similar to traditional x-rays, however the images are transferred to a computer file where they are stored. One of the advantages of this system is that images can be enhanced to examine the areas of interest more thoroughly. This is especially important in detecting the very small changes that occur early in the disease process, or subtle changes due to trauma. Diagnosing the cause of lameness is greatly enhanced by this process. Storing the images on a computer also allows for CDs of the images to be made for an owner to have a permanent record. Images can also be emailed. Storing the images on computer minimizes the chance of x-rays being lost or damaged.

Currently our equine doctors are available for ship-in appointments in the clinic. Ship-in services reduce your costs by eliminating a farm service call. Also, many services can be done more effectively in a clinic environment.

Accounting Changes

We have also made changes in our accounting department. We now strongly recommend the use of Care Credit cards to pay for services when unable to pay for the total services at the time they are provided. Utilizing Care Credit cards allows us to more efficiently use our resources and attempt to keep the escalating costs of veterinary medicine to a minimum. Care Credit cards can be used for most medical services both human and veterinary. Please ask us about Care Credit and we can provide the application forms to you.

We now also accept PayPal payments online. For those who are familiar with the convenience of paying bills online we encourage you to utilize PayPal. Our website kernroadvet.com provides a link to PayPal.

Website Upgrade

We have attempted to upgrade our website to make it more informative and user friendly. Please visit kernroadvet.com and give us feedback about what would be helpful to you to have there.

Expecting a Foal?

Winter is upon us, but it will be spring before you know it. With spring comes flowers, birds and foals! If you have a pregnant mare, NOW is the time to prepare for raising a healthy foal.

Any signs of illness in a pregnant mare should be addressed by a veterinarian. These include fever, depression, not eating, diarrhea, vaginal discharge, and leaking milk.

Pregnant mares should continue to receive regular deworming every 6-8 weeks with a product approved for pregnant mares. Hoof care should also be maintained.

Since the foal does most of its growing in the last 3 months of gestation, the nutritional needs of a broodmare do not increase until the last 3 months. Until then, she should be fed a balanced diet of good quality hay and grain if needed to maintain a moderately fleshy body condition. Avoid overfeeding in the first part of pregnancy, as fat broodmares may have difficulty foaling. After the 7th month of gestation, the mare's diet should be changed gradually to a 14% protein ration. The amount of food fed should also be gradually increased to keep up with the needs of the now rapidly growing foal. At this point, we are still trying to maintain a fleshy body condition score of 5-6. If your mare has a round belly but her ribs, backbone or hips are showing, she is not getting enough to eat!

It is very important to know your breeding and expected foal dates, as there is a timeline of veterinary care that should occur before foaling. All pregnant mares should receive vaccines for rhinopneumonitis (EHV1) in the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th month of gestation to protect from rhino abortion.

If the mare is at risk, she should also receive a rotavirus vaccine during the 8th, 9th and 10th month of gestation. Most importantly, 4-6 weeks before foaling, the mare should receive boosters for EEE, WEE, tetanus, West Nile, Potomac Horse Fever, Strangles, rhino, influenza and rabies. This timing is important as it allows the mare to produce antibodies to these illnesses in her milk that will protect the foal for its first few months of life. If the mare has a caslicks in place, it should be opened at this time as well.

As the mare's due date approaches, begin monitoring her more closely. Delivery normally happens very quickly, so timing is very important if there is a problem. If you are able to observe the foaling, you may be able to detect a problem before the foal is in trouble. In the week leading up to the due date, the mare should be checked regularly throughout the night (when most mares foal). Ideally, this is every 20-30 minutes. Closed circuit cameras and foaling monitors can help make this easier, but are not foolproof.

The mare should have a clean, dry stall bedded with straw. Before foaling the mare's tail should be wrapped and her vulva and udders should be cleaned with a mild liquid soap and thoroughly rinsed. This will reduce contamination to the foal. Have a foaling kit handy with tail wraps, clean towels, a clock or stopwatch, gloves and a flashlight. We recommend betadine or nolvasan to dip the navel. Strong iodine is not recommended for treating the navel as it can be harmful to the skin and the umbilicus. If you have a trailer, have it hooked up and ready to travel as a precaution in case of an emergency.

Many mares will become restless before foaling, while others will show minimal signs until their water breaks. This is why it is important to check on them often. Once the water breaks, the foal should be on the ground in 30 minutes. If 15 minutes goes by with no progression of the foaling, your veterinarian should be called. Once the foal is born, the mare may rest for a while as she will be tired! But, the foal should stand within the first hour and nurse within the first 2 hours. The mare should pass her placenta in the first 3 hours. During this time period, the mare and foal should be allowed to bond and get to know one another. If you are imprint training, now is the time, but give the pair some space and time alone too. Congratulations! You now have a new foal!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Dermatitis

Horses of any age can be affected by an invasion of the largest organ and protective barrier to their bodies, their skin. Numerous offending agents such as bacteria, fungus, parasites and insects can damage the skin, causing dermatitis. In Michigan we see dermatology cases throughout the year. Some cases of skin disease are created by the management systems we use, such as, heavy blankets in the winter that tend to hold warm moisture near the surface of the skin and protect it from light and good ventilation. Other weather conditions can predispose horses to damaged skin that can no longer protect the body, and infection results. These are more commonly observed during rainy, humid periods with constant wet and muddy ground. Tack and grooming equipment can be a source of infection if not properly cleaned.

Indications that your horse may have dermatitis can include any combination of symptoms like: hair loss, sensitivity, crusts, itchiness or excessive rubbing, drainage, poor hair coat, raised areas of skin, scale or dandruff. Hair loss or alopecia can be primary from the disease process or secondary as in self trauma. Large affected areas of skin can become sensitive to the touch or to pressure from tack which can lead to some unpleasant avoidance behavior. Scale is similar to dandruff and is very commonly found in horses, not always indicating a problem. Crusts should always be investigated further to identify the source of accumulation. Often times the causative agent can be isolated and cultured from the crusts adhered to the skin. A change in hair quality or character can be an indication of a systemic insult. It is important to consider climate changes, stressful events, and other animals in the barn that may have a skin condition.

Diagnosis is an important step to understanding the disease progression and choosing appropriate treatment. Some cases of bacterial or fungal origin can be self-limiting, and resolution of the dermatitis can be observed in 1-2 weeks. Try these simple steps; first remove predisposing factors such as moisture, shared grooming supplies and poorly fitted tack. Often clinical signs and description of the disease process are enough to make a preliminary diagnosis. Samples of affected skin and hair should be collected for cytology, culture and sensitivity, and fungal assay. Cases that do not resolve with treatment may need further diagnostics such as skin biopsy to evaluate the types of cells present. Exact identification of the causative organism will help to select proper medication and length of treatment time in accordance with the disease process. These tests can also predict other horses that are likely to be affected or how to prevent further spread of the disease.

Treatment often involves multiple modes of application. The goal is to stop the spread of new lesions or affected areas, and to heal the existing skin damage. Combinations of products are often used. Topical antifungal or shampoos are used alone in some cases and in more complicated or severe cases also with antibiotics or a systemic antifungal. It is not uncommon to treat some types of dermatitis for 4-6 weeks while others are self-limiting and require no treatment. It is important to keep track of any medications or ointments used prior to veterinary exam, because some may cause sensitivity reactions that can contribute to the dermatitis and slow the resolution.

Dermatitis is a common ailment among horses seen in all climates. Simple details about the age and breed of the horse and when signs were first identified are all helpful in resolving the disease process. Horses of any age can have dermatitis. Dermatitis can affect small areas or it can become generalized over the whole body. If you have given 1-2 weeks for a lesion to self-heal, and there has been little to no change. Then a veterinary dermatologic exam should be performed.

Optimize Your Horse's Dental Health

Caring for your horse's teeth goes well beyond the routine annual float. One of the most important aspects of the service we provide is a thorough oral exam. An oral exam can detect such wear abnormalities as hooks, ramps and wave mouth. In addition, horses can also develop problems such as periodontal disease and patent infundibulum ( the equine equivalent to a cavity). These conditions can result in decay, infection, fractures and tooth loss. Here at Kern Road, we have the specialized equipment and training to take care of all your horse's dental needs.



As always, if there are any questions about the topics in this newsletter or any other topics, please call us or visit our website. All suggestions about our services, or new services that you would like, are encouraged.