( ask the vet )
initially, and treated accordingly. Prevention of exposure to the UV rays and photodynamic agents will reduce the risk of photo- sensitisation. Sunblock can be used on unpigemented skin, or stabling your horse will also reduce sunlight exposure during the day.
Respiratory
Inhalation of dust, tree and plant pollens can trigger Equine Asthma (previously COPD/RAO) in a number of horses. These allergens cause difficulty breathing due to the accumulation of mucus and inflammation in the airways and narrowing of the smaller airways. Affected horses will usually cough and have some degree of nasal discharge. Milder cases may only show an increased respiratory rate, or prolonged recovery from exercise.
More severely affected cases can have acute ‘attacks’ of asthma where there is a clear heave line due to the amount of abdominal effort put into inspiration. Treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and dilating the constricted airways to improve oxygenation. This can be by inhaled medication via a spacer device or nebuliser, or affected horses can be put on to systemic medication. Your vet will assess your horse and determine the best course of action depending on your individual horse. Again, prevention is better than cure. Management changes can be put in place to avoid exposure to allergens before they can start to cause symptoms. Reducing turnout and riding when pollen counts are high and avoiding turnout onto dry, dusty pasture will help prevent allergen exposure in affected horses.
With all the above conditions, prevention of exposure to the allergens or insults will reduce the risk of disease. Consult your veterinary surgeon for further advice or examination of your horse if you have any concerns
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nancy Homewood BVetMed CertAVP MRCVS is an Equine Vet at Hook Norton Veterinary Group in Oxfordshire. Nancy has a special interest in Equine Internal Medicine. In July, Nancy joined the Vets With Horsepower 2019 tour in Spain and Portugal, lecturing to raise funds for The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust, Saving the Survivors, Tiny Tickers and the Mozambique Veterinary School. Please visit
www.vetswithhorsepower.com to find out more.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Dye
Photo courtesy of Carol Ashman
Please mention Central Horse News What’s On when responding to advertisements
SUMMER SPECIAL 2019
15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
