Preventative medicine is the basis of comprehensive patient care. Damascus Equine Associates offer a variety of vaccine and deworming programs tailored to the needs of each client and patient. Other preventative medicine services include dentistry, wellness laboratory tests and Coggins tests.
Observations and consultations during wellness visits allow for discussions regarding both general health matters and specific issues pertaining to individual horses.
Dentistry
Every dental exam provides the opportunity to perform routine preventative dental maintenance. Waiting too long between dental exams may increase the difficulty of correcting certain conditions. Dental problems can cause discomfort to the horse, resulting in problems such as weight loss or performance issues.
During dental examinations, sharp enamel points of the cheek teeth will be removed to decrease potential irritations and trauma to the soft tissues of the mouth. Abnormalities such as malocclusions (misalignment of teeth), hooks, uneven or missing teeth will be noted and addressed. Most dental procedures can be performed in the standing sedated horse at the farm or in the clinic.
Parasite Control
Parasite infestation in the horse is a common problem that can be effectively controlled. While there are many types of equine parasites, the most common ones are large and small strongyles, tapeworms and pinworms. These parasites can cause numerous health problems including colic, weight loss, diarrhea and general unthriftiness.
Vaccination
Vaccination alone without proper management practices is not sufficient for prevention of disease. Vaccines can reduce the risks of infection or lessen the clinical signs but cannot guarantee total protection from that disease.
When determining what to vaccinate your horse for, you first need to assess what your horse is at risk for. In addition, the efficacy of the vaccine should be noted when deciding how often to vaccinate your horse.
Your veterinarian will assist you in determining what your horse may be at risk for.
Core Vaccines
Core vaccines are recommended for all horses. These vaccines are for diseases of high significance and the available vaccines are very effective and safe.
Rabies: Rabies is a deadly and zoonotic disease (people can contract disease) which is why this is such an important vaccine for all horses. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal through a bite, cut on the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nose, etc.). Following the introduction of the virus, it migrates to the brain and results in fatal swelling of the brain.
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE): Wild birds and rodents are the natural reservoirs of the disease that is then transmitted by mosquitoes or other bloodsucking insects. Humans are also susceptible to the disease through the bite of an infected mosquito. However, horse-to horse and horse-to-human transmission is very unlikely due to the small amount of virus in the blood of an infected horse. These diseases have a high incidence of death and with changes in distribution of insects and reservoirs, it is not always easy to determine the risk of exposure for these diseases.
West Nile Virus (WNV): This virus is transmitted via mosquitoes from birds to mammals including horses and humans. The virus causes inflammation of the brain which can cause death or residual effects such as gait and behavior abnormalities. Studies have shown the vaccine to be highly effective and it is recommended that the vaccine be a part of the core vaccine protocol for all horses in the United States.
Tetanus: Tetanus is caused by a bacterium named Clostridium tetani that is found everywhere including the soil, feces, and mammalian intestinal tracts. This bacterium is usually introduced through puncture wounds, open lacerations, and reproductive tracts of mares after foaling.
Risk-Based Vaccines
Risk-based vaccines are recommended for horses at increased risk of exposure to the particular disease. The available vaccines have variable efficacy and some potential for vaccine reaction.
Potomac Horse Fever: This disease is caused by the spread of Neorickettsia risticii through the ingestion of snails and different species of flies such as dragonflies and mayflies. It is seen from late spring to early fall in Maryland with the highest incidence between July-September. Although it is not contagious between horses, when cases are found in one area, it is more likely that other horses will be at a higher risk of infection. Clinical signs of this disease include fever, laminitis, severe diarrhea, and mild colic.
Rhinopneumonitis (Equine Herpes/Rhino) : This disease is caused primarily by two types of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV): EHV-1 and EHV-4. EHV-1 causes respiratory disease, abortions and neurological disease. EHV-1 was responsible for the recent outbreaks of “equine neurologic herpes” that resulted in the quarantine of several horse facilities including racetracks, equine hospitals, and private farms throughout the United States. EHV-4 causes respiratory tract infections that can range from very mild to severe signs including fever, anorexia, nasal discharge, and cough. EHV-4 infection occurs most frequently in young horses, but it can also be seen in horses that are comingled. Because the virus is a herpes virus, horses can have a latent infection where there are no clinical signs, but can be contagious to other horses during periods of stress.
Equine Influenza (Flu): This disease is one of the most common infectious diseases of the equine respiratory tract. Quarantine of new horses for at least 14 days is one of the best ways to prevent this disease from entering your horse population. It is important that all horses be vaccinated against this disease especially those with an increased risk of infection. Equine influenza is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through groups of horses through aerosolized nasal secretions.
Strangles: This disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. It commonly affects young horses but can affect horses of any age. The bacterium is spread through direct contact with infected horses, with horses that are not showing clinical signs but shedding the bacteria (carriers), or by contact with contaminated water troughs, feed tubs, stalls, trailers, handler’s cloths, etc. Clinical signs include fever, anorexia, difficulty swallowing, nasal discharge, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Botulism: Botulism is caused by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, which produces one of the most potent biological toxins known. The toxin blocks impulses to nerves and causes weakness, paralysis and frequently death. There are 8 types of the toxin, but types B & C have been associated with most of the equine outbreaks. This bacterium can be introduced through a wound, by ingestion of decaying plant material or animal carcass remnants found in feed, or by ingestion of the spore itself. The incidence of Botulism has a geographical distribution.
