- Foal Crop Predicted to Fall in 2011
- Cushing's Disease Diagnosis: Not a Simple Matter
- Drooling Horses: Clover May Take the Blame
- Equine Influenza Alert in Southern States
- Diabetes in Horses
- Equine Atypical Myopathy
Foal Crop Predicted to Fall in 2011
The Jockey Club is predicting that 2011 will have the smallest registered Thoroughbred foal crop in more than 35 years. Around 27,000 foals are expected to be registered, a drop of approximately 10% from the estimate of 30,000 foal registrations for 2010.
Cushing's Disease Diagnosis: Not a Simple Matter
Is ACTH level useful for diagnosing Cushing's disease in horses? The answer is yes, but it's not as simple as looking at the result of one blood test. ACTH, or adrenocorticotrophic hormone, is usually elevated in Cushing's horses, but ACTH values rise and fall naturally in all horses according to time of day, season, and factors such as stress and pain. A study in England involved drawing blood from healthy older horses and those diagnosed with Cushing's during 24-hour periods in March, June, September, and December. ACTH levels were significantly higher in Cushing's horses at all times of the day, and fluctuations were greater in Cushing's horses than in normal horses. For all horses, levels were higher in September and December than in March and June. These results suggest that multiple tests might be better than a single test for an accurate diagnosis of Cushing's disease.
Drooling Horses: Clover May Take the Blame
Horses grazing pastures containing clover may begin to drool what seems like gallons of saliva. Excessive slobbering is a reaction to a fungus that grows on clover and some other legumes, particularly after wet weather in spring, summer, and fall. Drooling is not harmful unless it is so pronounced that it causes dehydration. Owners should be sure that a constant supply of fresh water is available to horses. Removing horses from clover-infested fields is the only way to prevent or cure the condition.
Equine Influenza Alert in Southern States
Horse owners in southern states, particularly those sharing a border with Mexico, should be diligent about vaccinating against the equine influenza virus (EIV). A recent study showed that 94% of a group of horses from several areas of Mexico tested positive for the virus. Vaccination is an important way to prevent outbreaks of the infection in the southern United States.
Excessive drinking and urination coupled with weight loss are classic signs of diabetes in humans. Diabetes has not been an extremely common equine diagnosis, but a team of veterinarians recently diagnosed three horses with type 2 diabetes mellitus on the basis of insulin sensitivity and pancreatic cell response to a glucose tolerance test. Treatment with dietary modification and specific medications restored normal blood glucose levels. The vets suggest that diabetes may be more common in horses than was previously believed.
Equine atypical myopathy is marked by intense muscle cramping, kidney failure, toxic shock, and death in up to 90% of affected horses. New studies show the malady may be linked to a toxin produced by Clostridium sordellii, a common soil bacteria. It is hoped that further investigation of the link may lead to the development of a vaccine to protect horses, and possibly to a means of identifying contaminated pastures.
