General Information about Colic
Colic is simply defined as abdominal pain. It is often a sign of a serious medical/intestinal problem. Abdominal problems causing colic are the most common reason for doing surgery and the most common cause of natural death in horses. Colic pain does not point to a specific cause and can have many sources. Often it is difficult to determine the specific cause, but the most common are changes in dietary regimens, parasites, dehydration, stress, gas, or “twist” (volvulus, displacement or torsion). The later requires surgery to correct and is often fatal even with surgery. Less common […]

Whatever you call it,  Equine Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or Heaves it’s BAD.
General Information
This inflammatory airway disease has had quite a few names.  It was originally called “Heaves” due to the the heaving of the chest and abdominal muscles working very hard to move air.  Then they changed to  it to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it that seemed to confuse to owners because, well, horses don’t smoke so, that did not seem right.  Also, the lung pathology was not the same.  Currently and as far as I am concerned, the best and most accurate description […]

General Information
This condition, also known as “moon blindness,” is the main cause of blindness in horses. The uveal tract, consisting of the iris and adjacent structures, is the main blood supply of the eye. Toxic, immunologic and/or infections agents in the blood damage the blood vessels of the eye and then can indirectly affect most other parts of the eye. These agents can cause temporary damage but also can cause low-grade, slow destruction of the eye. Inflammation of the eye can be quite obvious or can be subtle, resulting in underlying damage without obvious signs. This initial blood vessel […]

This disease is very common in North Carolina and is often referred to as the “Possum Disease” or EPM.
What causes EPM?
It is caused the protozoal parasite Sarcocystis neurona. The protozoa is carried by infected opossums and transmitted in the feces and ingested by the horses. From there the parasite migrates from the intestines and into the brain or spinal chord.
What are the clinical signs?
Signs may vary based on the number of parasites and where in the central nervous system they are attacking. Direct damage and killing of nerves cells versus swelling and inflammation around them will determine if the […]

General Information
Dental care is an important part of horse management. Dental problems are best prevented by dental examination once or twice a year. The teeth of horses continually grow throughout the animal’s life. The teeth can be used to estimate a horse’s age; however, certain dental problems, such as malocclusion (upper and lower teeth do not meet), broken teeth and abnormal wear (as from cribbing), can make it difficult to estimate a horse’s age. In order to perform a thorough oral exam, your veterinarian will use a full mouth speculum.
To do a quick examination of horse’s teeth:
Lift the upper […]