All About ... Equine Infectious Anaemia

What is it?

Equine infectious anaemia is a viral infection which affects horses worldwide, it also affects donkeys and mules.  It is a notifiable disease which means that if it is suspected the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) must be informed immediately!  This disease only affects horses and the last outbreak in Great Britain was in 2012 seen in Devon and Cornwall. It is also known as Swamp Fever or Horse Malaria. 

The virus destroys the red blood cells. There is no cure.   

Signs

Some horses show no signs of the disease.  There is an incubation period of 7 - 45 days (sometimes longer).  There are 3 forms, the acute, sub acute and the chronic form.  The sub acute seems to be the most common form.  Sadly the acute form is usually fatal. 

Acute:

The symptoms suddenly appear .  May be the first episode or could occur after a chronic or sub acute episode.

• High fever 
• Depression 
• Increased heart rate 
• Increased respiratory rate 
• Bleeding 
• Loss of co-ordination 
• Poor performance 
• Rapid weight loss 
• Jaundice 
• Anaemia 
• Weakness 
• Swelling of lower abdomen and legs 
• Death

Sub -acute:

• Similar signs as the acute form but less severe 
• Death rarely occurs

Chronic:

• Fever 
• Depression 
• Low number of blood platelets 
• Weakness 
• Weight loss 
• Loss of appetite 
• Wobbly 
• Muscle tremor 
• Yellow and inflamed mucous membranes 
• Fluid swelling under belly and in legs 
• Anaemia develops later 
• Poor performance 
• Exhaustion
• Death may occur

This disease will reoccur.  The time between episodes can vary from weeks to months and some episodes can be sub acute, chronic  and so on ...  Horses that do recover remain carriers for the rest of their lives.  In the UK this means the horse will have to be put down anyway.

Causes

Virus is transmitted by biting insects eg: horse flies or midges or by the use of non-sterile needles and blood contaminated surgical instruments. The virus is found primarily in the blood, however, all tissues and body fluids are potentially infectious.   

  

Diagnosis

Blood test called the Coggins test.

Treatment

• No specific treatment 
• Rest 
• High protein feed 
•  Antibiotics for any secondary infection

Prevention

Biosecurity and yard hygiene can help prevent the spread of this disease.  Any suspected cases in the UK MUST be reported to the APHA - and will be controlled in line with contingency plans for exotic notifiable diseases.

 Luckily this disease is rare in the UK.

Have you seen Wednesday's video 'What you need for looking after a pony'  on my You Tube channel.  Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!

Jo

My little monsters ...

... maybe not that little!

Have you seen yesterday's video ' What you need for ... looking after your pony' on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!

Jo

Hay Steamer Review

Last December I finally bought a hay steamer.  I have been soaking hay for a long time.  Fidget needed soaked hay for the last 5+ years because he had Recurrent Airway Obstruction (used to be called COPD).  In the last couple of years Basil has developed some sort of allergy so he has been having soaked hay to reduce the strain on his respiratory system! 

As many of you will know soaking hay in the winter is horrible, it freezes, and that is if you can get any water at all because your pipes have frozen.  I have been looking for a suitable steamer to purchase for a while but they all seemed so expensive, or difficult to access.  Anyway, at Your Horse Live last November I saw this one.  

It has taken some time to get used to and sort a routine but I LOVE IT.  The box is really solid but fairly light too.   It holds 2 well filled haynets, so enough for Basil (16.1hh TB) on a long winter night. There is a temperature gauge which is very useful although the haynet gets hooked on it sometimes which is  a bit annoying.  It has wheels so is easy to move and they have brakes too so you can fix it in place.  

The lid fits well and is designed to reduce the heat and steam lost.  It is light enough to lift if a little big for someone my height .  However, I do manage fine.

Basil absolutely loves the hay once it has been steamed and often eats it in preference to his hard feed.  The haynets are so much lighter than soaked hay so that saves my back and it obviously uses much, much less water too. 

The steamer unit itself seems strong too and the plug lead is good and long.  I think it would be better if the hose which attaches to the box was a bit longer, but I manage fine.  It is easy to see how much water you are putting in and when you have reached the maximum too.

I didn't give it much thought beforehand but (I am sure this is true of all steamers) it takes some time for the steam to fill the box.  This means that it has to be on for almost an hour before the box is up to 85/90 degrees - but at this point you can see the steam escaping from under the lid, so you know it is steaming.  I have to put it on ASAP in the morning so that it has a good 45 minutes steaming before I have to leave.  I think an hour would be better, however, the steamer itself only holds enough water for 2 hours. 

It is recommended to tease the cakes of hay apart a bit before putting the nets in the box so that the steam can penetrate all the hay.

I have found that with the hard water in our area it is best if I descale the steamer itself each week as it seems to stop working when the limescale builds up.  You can do this with vinegar or a bought sachet - the same as you would use in your kettle.  I make sure to rinse it out several times so that there is no effect on the taste of the hay!

I also have to tip the box up and empty the water out each week as some accumulates in the bottom of the box.  There are carefully placed holes to help with this!

Although there are a couple of little things which I have mentioned that could be improved, on the whole I am really pleased with my steamer and would definitely recommend it.  It is not the cheapest on the market but is definitely not the most expensive either.

This is the company I got my steamer from http://www.bold-box.co.uk/   I am not sure why it is not on the website but give them a call.

This post is NOT sponsored.

Have you seen last week's video 'Catching Tommy'  on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!

Jo

All About ... Curbs

What are they?

A curb is a swelling just below the point of the hock which feels firm when pressed.  It forms when the tendons and  ligaments of the hock are injured .  The swelling is due to the accumulation of fluid in the area.  

  

Signs

• Swelling just below point of hock 
• Maybe lameness which can be slight or severe 
• Area may be warm

 Causes

• Hock conformation ie: cow or sickle hocks 
• Strain from sudden and quick movements 
• Kicking walls, fences or ramps (in trailers) 
• Strain from excessive use

Diagnosis

Ultrasound or x-rays can be used to confirm the diagnosis. 

Treatment

Call the vet as they will ensure the diagnosis is correct.  If the horse is in pain they may suggest painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory drugs.  The horse should make a full recovery, however, the swelling may remain or become smaller.

• Cold hosing 
• Rest 
• Careful fitness and rehabilitation programme

Prevention

Ensure there is no excessive strain on the hind limb.  Every horse is an individual so if the horse has conformational weaknesses eg: cow hocks then they will be more susceptible than others. Ensure the horse is fit enough for the job expected and an awareness of each individuals limitations is important.   

Bandage or use good boots for travelling so damage cannot be done by a knock in the box or trailer.  If the horse is known to knock himself in the stable consider lining the walls with rubber!

Curbs don't have to cause long term problems but having an awareness of your horses limitations is important!

Have you seen this week's video 'Catching Tommy'  on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!

Jo