Horse treatment: names of diseases and their symptoms, methods of control and prevention

Horse breeders know that proper care and a nutritious diet are the keys to the he alth of horses. But in most cases, it is not possible to completely avoid injuries and illnesses. Joint maintenance, infections, nutritional errors, body characteristics lead to the fact that horses sometimes get sick. Consider what diseases horses suffer from, what treatment is required.

Common signs of illness in horses

A he althy horse is distinguished by excellent appetite, liveliness, good mood, joy from communicating with a person. Diseases have different symptoms, only an experienced veterinarian can identify the pathology. There are a number of signs by which you can suspect that the animal is not all right:

• change in behavior - the appearance of anxiety or indifference and lethargy;
• tarnishing of wool, mane, profuse hair loss;
• rise in temperature;
• discoloration of mucous membranes, dull eyes;
• loss of appetite, rejection of favorite food.

Problems with legs and hooves can be guessed from lameness, unwillingness to run. With pathologies of the digestive tract, diarrhea may begin. A number of diseases are accompanied by respiratory disorders, shortness of breath, heart palpitations. Grooms who constantly communicate with animals usually quickly notice that the pet has problems.

Classification of diseases

All horse diseases are divided into several groups according to the methods of development and defeat:

• infectious - caused by bacteria, viruses;
• invasive - parasitic infections;
• non-infectious - gastrointestinal diseases, colds;
• dermal;
• diseases of the limbs - hooves, joints.

For horse breeders, an essential sign is contagiousness, that is, the infectious nature of the disease. In this case, the horse must be urgently isolated to prevent the spread of the disease throughout the livestock.

Infectious diseases of horses

Contagious diseases need to be detected quickly so that all horses on the farm are not affected. A number of diseases can be transmitted to humans.

Sap

The causative agent is the bacterium Pseudomonas mallei. The bacterium multiplies in the lymph nodes, then spreads through the organs with blood, causing multiple glandular nodes and ulcers. The lungs, skin, mucous membranes of the nose are affected. Symptoms - rapid breathing, tremors in the muscles, weight loss, fever. There are no effective drugs, the horse dies.

Myt

The disease causes streptococcus (mytny). The characteristic signs of the disease are inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes, nasal and oral mucous membranes with suppuration and abscesses. More often than others, foals and young animals under 5 years old suffer. The horse swallows with difficulty due to inflammation of the pharynx, there is a cough, swelling of the submandibular region. Treatment - course of antibiotics, opening of abscesses.

Horse flu

Influenza is accompanied by catarrhal symptoms in horses - coughing, mucus secretion, sneezing, and fever. In severe cases, pneumonia develops. The disease is ubiquitous and affects horses of all ages. Treatment is based on symptoms. Vaccination helps reduce risks.

Important: in case of infections, strict isolation of a sick horse is required, treatment of the stable with disinfectants, regular inspection of the entire livestock.

Rhinopneumonia

Pathogen - equine herpesvirus. More often young people up to a year are sick. Symptoms - conjunctivitis, catarrh of the respiratory tract, fever. The abortive form of rhinopneumonia leads to spontaneous abortions in mares or death of foals on the first day. Treatment - according to symptoms, drugs to improve cardiac activity. Vaccinations provide short-term immunity.

Infectious anemia

Viral disease affects the hematopoietic system, accompanied by fever, anemia, cardiac and respiratory disorders in horses. Hemorrhage develops on internal and external organs.

Infectious encephalomyelitis

Pathogen - a virus that causes damage to the central nervous system, atonic disorders of the digestive tract, jaundice. In animals, paresis, paralysis, motor dysfunctions are observed. The disease has a seasonal course, more often fixed in autumn and spring. There is no specific treatment.

Anthrax

The most dangerous and fast-flowing infectious disease of horses, affecting humans as well. It is characterized by a severe form of septicemia, the formation of tissue edema, carbuncles, damage to the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. The incubation period is 1-3 days. Horses often develop a fulminant form with death within hours.

Rabies

The disease is caused by a special virus transmitted with saliva during the bite of a sick animal. Symptoms - the disease starts with an increase in temperature, continues with reflex excitability, reaction to light, noise. Rage and aggression alternate with apathy.

Animals die in 100% of cases, from paralysis of the respiratory system (suffocation).

Tuberculosis

The disease is caused by mycobacteria. It occurs infrequently in horses, the course is latent, chronic. The animal loses weight, symptoms appear when a certain organ is affected. The sick animal is slaughtered. For prevention, tuberculin tests are regularly done.

Pasteurellosis

Symptoms - fever, inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, arthritis, osteomyelitis. Young horses are more likely to suffer from the disease. They are treated with polyvalent serum, antibiotics of a number of penicillins, sulfonamides.

Leptospirosis

Horses have a sharp rise in temperature, signs of jaundice, conjunctivitis, swelling of the eyelids, iridocyclitis, colic, swelling of the legs. For treatment, hyperimmune serum, Streptomycin is used.

Listeriosis

Bacterial infection is characterized by many forms with different symptoms - from photophobia and diarrhea to miscarriages in mares. Preparations - antibiotics of the tetracycline series. Treatment is effective only in the early stages.

Smallpox

The reason is the smallpox virus. Among the symptoms - stomatitis, dermatitis with ulcers, lameness, if the blisters are localized on the legs.Smallpox is treated with antibiotics, gamma globulins are used to prevent inflammation. Treat ulcers with softening and cauterizing solutions. Immunity is lifelong.

Salmonellosis

With salmonellosis, there are signs of diarrhea, in the feces - blood inclusions, fever, lethargy. In chronic course - cough, shortness of breath, swelling of the joints. Complex treatment - sulfonamides, nitrofurans, other antibiotics.

Non-communicable diseases of horses

Non-contagious include a large group of diseases that do not require quarantine measures and strict isolation of the horse.

Respiratory diseases

Sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge are signs of respiratory disease. They can be cold or allergic. Herbal inhalations, expectorants, bronchodilators are used for treatment.

Pathologies of digestion

Digestive pathologies are associated with the peculiarities of the structure of the gastrointestinal tract in horses and errors in feeding. These include - colic, damage and blockage of the esophagus, stool disorders and much more. Treatment is symptomatic.

Colic

Sharp pain in the gastrointestinal tract causes fermentation of food due to improper feeding, intense training or due to certain diseases.

The sides of horses are kneaded, massages, enemas, gastric lavage are done. It is important to normalize nutrition.

Invasive diseases

Infection with parasites occurs through contact with a sick animal, through food and water, due to dirt in the stable and insect bites.

Missedness

The parasite (trypanosoma) is transmitted during mating from a sick animal. Symptoms of infection - the formation of rounded formations, swelling of the genitals, a change in the shape of the croup, weight loss. Naganin, Novarsenol, Azidin-vet are used in the treatment.

Piroplasmosis

Disease in horses is caused by the bites of ticks infected with piroplasms. Symptoms - high fever, shortness of breath, yellowing of the mucous membranes, brown urine, painful urination. For treatment, Azidine, Hemosporidine are used.

Worms

When a horse is infected with worms, weight loss, mucus in the feces, diarrhea and constipation are observed. Carry out deworming - Brovadazole, Brovalsen.

Scabies

When infested with scabies, the horse becomes restless, itchy, with scabs and scabs on the skin. Animals are treated with Wagenfeld ointment, Diazinon solution.

Diseases of joints and hooves

Diseases of the limbs often develop as a result of injuries, then bacterial and inflammatory processes join. Improper care and maintenance of horses can lead to loss of ability to move.

Tendon strain

The tendon is damaged by careless jumps and movements of the horse. Special treatment is not required - the horse is provided with rest, a cold compress on the limb, and physical activity is limited. Use tight leg bandages when walking and working.

Hiron notch

The bruised wound is treated with antiseptic agents (iodine), the hair is cut around, the horn of the hoof wall is cut off. With suppuration, an operation is performed, they are treated symptomatically.

Important: in case of hoof diseases, you need to give horses peace, release them from stress for the entire duration of treatment, provide complete food for recovery.

Tip

Knockings occur due to improper forging and size of the horseshoe, hoof injury. It is important to immediately remove the horseshoe, treat it with an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory drugs, and ensure peace of the limb.

Forging

The problem occurs when the horse is not forged correctly. Nails are removed from the hoof, the horseshoe is removed. For treatment, use antiseptic rinsing, a bandage.

Cracked hoof

Hooves crack under high loads and injuries, due to the wrong thickness of forging nails. Blood is oozing from the hoof, the horse is lame. It is necessary to free the limb from the horseshoe, treat the wound with iodine, potassium permanganate in the presence of suppuration.

Laminitis

Inflammation of the lamina (ulnar cartilage) of the hoof leads to swelling of the limb, impaired blood supply. The rotation of the bone increases with movement. For treatment, anti-inflammatory drugs (Ainil), drugs to improve blood circulation in the limbs are used. It is important to release the animal from stress.

Thoughtful diet, cleanliness in the stable, careful care reduce the risk of developing diseases in horses.It is important to vaccinate on time, monitor the condition of the horses. Newly arrived animals are placed in quarantine. At the first signs of illness, anxiety of the animal, a veterinarian is invited, treatment is started in order to maintain the he alth of the horses and prevent material damage on the farm.

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