Our strong and majestic horses are, well, a bit delicate to say the least. They’re vulnerable to a range of diseases, some of which are mild and easily treatable and others that can be life-threatening. But don’t panic! If you familiarize yourself with the causes, signs, and treatments for the most common horse diseases, you’ll be better equipped to properly care for your equine companion. In this article we will discuss six common horse diseases and how you can best manage them for a positive outcome.
1. Colic
Colic is a term used to describe any abdominal pain in horses. It can be caused by a variety of things, including abrupt dietary changes, parasite infestations, and intestinal blockages. Signs of colic include pawing, rolling on the ground, and biting or kicking at the belly. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but might include administering medications to get the horse’s gut moving again. A colic that doesn’t respond to medical therapy, however, might require surgery to correct. Prognosis varies depending on the severity of the case, with mild colics typically resolving quickly and complex surgical cases potentially being life-threatening.
2. Strangles
Strangles is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi. It’s highly contagious and spreads when a horse comes in contact with an infected horse or their secretions. Initial signs include fever, lack of appetite, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes in the throat area that might burst open and exude pus. Treatment includes supportive care until the disease runs its course and, in some cases, antibiotics. Infected horses should also be quarantined from healthy ones until at least three weeks after their signs resolve. Prognosis is usually good.
3. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is a neurologic disease that develops when a certain protozoan infects a horse’s central nervous system. Signs include incoordination, asymmetry, and weakness. Several medications are available commercially to treat EPM, allowing many horses to have a good prognosis to have a normal, healthy life. Some horses, however, don’t respond to therapy and might need to be euthanized due to the severity of their neurologic signs.
4. Influenza
Horses can catch the flu just like humans can, but of a different strain. It’s highly contagious and spreads between horses through saliva and respiratory secretions. Symptoms include fever, coughing, weakness, nasal discharge, and lack of appetite. Fortunately, most cases resolve with time and supportive care. Plus, vaccination can help lower your horse’s risk of getting influenza or reduce the severity of his illness if he does get sick. Only in complex cases with secondary complications do horses succumb to this disease.
5. Cushing’s Disease
More accurately described as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), Cushing’s disease is an endocrine disorder caused by an overproduction of cortisol because of a tumor on the pituitary gland. Signs include excessive drinking and urination, a long hair coat (even in summer), muscle wasting, abnormal fat deposits around the neck and shoulders, and changes in behavior or attitude. Treatment usually involves a combination of medications, diet modifications, and exercise to control cortisol levels. While PPID is not curable, many horses experience significant improvement with treatment.
6. Laminitis
Laminitis, also called founder, is a painful and potentially life-threatening equine disease that affects the sensitive tissues of the hoof. Causes can be related to diet, hormones, injury, or infection and can lead to crippling lameness. The signs of laminitis include heat, inflammation, and pain in the feet, as well as a depressed attitude. Treatment generally focuses on providing supportive care such as cold therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, specialized diets, and therapeutic farriery. Prognosis for horses suffering from laminitis depends on how early you catch it and the severity of damage to the foot. With proper treatment, however, horses can recover to lead relatively normal lives.
Take-Home Message
Recognizing the signs of common horse diseases can help you keep your horse healthy and happy. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these diseases’ causes, symptoms, treatments, and prognosis so you are prepared to handle them if they arise. And, of course, if you notice any of the above-mentioned clinical signs or your horse just doesn’t seem himself, contact your veterinarian. He or she can make an accurate diagnosis and get your horse started on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.
