AAEP Ask the Vet: Preparing for Breeding Season

Preparing for the Breeding Season

There are so many things we are supposed to do to our mares 30 days prior to foaling (i.e., vaccines, deworming, etc.). What exactly is 30 days prior considering gestation is 320 to 365 days, since so many horse owners go by all sorts of calendars predicting foaling anywhere from 327 days to 343 days?2. Is HCG a viable option to help stallion fertility?3. All male mammals have nipples, where are they located on male horses?4. At what age do mares eggs start to go bad, for example in humans women over age 40 are more likely to have a child with birth defects? 1. The last trimester of a mare's gestation is an important period for the final maturation of the fetus. In addition, the mare's body is busy preparing for a successful delivery and lactation. It is generally recommended to schedule the mare's routine vaccinations during the period that falls 4-6 weeks prior to the due date. The normal gestational length of the mare can vary quite a bit, but the average length is 340 days from ovulation. Knowing the prior reproductive history of an individual mare can be helpful; mares tend to have similar gestational lengths from one year to the next. If the history is unknown or if the mare is a maiden, then plan to administer her pre-foaling vaccines six weeks prior to the due date. This will give her adequate time to mount an immune response and have good levels of antibodies in her colostrum that will be protective for the newborn foal. 2. Subfertility in the stallion can be a very frustrating problem to tackle. There are a myriad of causes of subfertility. Administration of  HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to a stallion is useful in determining if the horse's reproductive problems have a hormonal basis. However, treatment with HCG injections has not been shown to improve fertility in the male horse. 3. This is the most entertaining question of the month! Male horses do indeed have nipples. They are quite rudimentary, and often difficult to see. They are located on the underside of the horse's sheath. It can be nearly impossible to see them in a standing horse, but the next time you have the opportunity to observe a castration of a young colt, you may see them while he is in dorsal recumbency. 4. It is well documented that ageing has a negative effect on fertility in women. This also holds true for the mare, although the topic is not as well-studied in horses. A mare's fertility begins to decline in her mid-teens. Many factors are to blame for the age-related decline in fertility, but oocyte (egg) quality is ultimately the primary reason. Studies in mares show that oocyte quality is significantly decreased in mares over 19-20 years old. "Birth defects" due to chromosomal abnormalities are not as recognized in older mares as they are in older women. Dr. Kerry Beckman, Prospect, KY How often should a stallion's sheath be cleaned during the breeding season? (Cleaning a stallion's sheath during breeding season is an important part of proper management. The horse should be teased so that he achieves an erection, and washed with warm water. Do not use soaps or disinfectants. If the stallion typically takes several minutes between washing and mounting, then drying the penis is not necessary. If he usually mounts immediately after washing, then blotting the penis with a clean paper towel will be sufficient to remove water that could negatively affect semen quality.  If it is safe to do so, a stallion should be cleaned prior to each breeding, whether it be natural service or semen collection. If the stallion is bred multiple times per day, cleaning him before the first "jump" is usually sufficient for that day. If he is used for live cover, he should also be rinsed off after mating, to reduce the chances of transmitting infection. There is usually no need to clean the stallion's genitals between breeding episodes, even if he does not breed frequently. Frequent washing (even using only warm water), removes the normal micro-organisms that reside on the sheath and penis, which predisposes him to an infection from more potent bacteria. A study has shown that breeding stallions actually have more bacteria on their reproductive parts at the end of the breeding season, most likely due to repeatedly removing the normal flora. In summary, a stallion should only be washed when necessary for hygienic natural cover or collection of semen. A normal amount of smegma and bacteria are part of healthy external genitalia. Dr. Kerry Beckman, Prospect, KY I own a 22-year-old Warm blood mare She had a live birth in 1996. She is in good health. Can I successfully breed her? You ask a very interesting question, which does not have a straightforward "yes" or "no" answer. There are several factors to consider when breeding the older mare. Many broodmares can successfully produce foals into their mid-twenties. You must take into consideration the overall health of the mare. Conditions such as chronic laminitis, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Cushings disease, and even chronic lameness can negatively affect the odds that the mare will conceive and carry a foal to term. The mare's reproductive history can also help predict her future breeding success. An aged mare that has carried a foal to term recently has a better chance of becoming pregnant than a mare that has remained barren. Older mares typically have a lower conception rate per cycle (i.e. 30-40%) versus their younger counterparts (that typically have a 60-70% per cycle conception rate). This means that you may need to breed your older mare several times in a season in order for her to conceive. Aged mares are more likely to have reproductive conformation problems than younger mares.  As the mare ages, her reproductive tract slowly succumbs to the effects of gravity, and sinks lower into her abdomen. Also, she may develop tilted vulvar conformation, or have an accumulation of urine in her vagina. All of these anatomic challenges will predispose her to a uterine infection.  Beyond the conformation of the reproductive tract, we also have to consider what is occurring on a microscopic level within the uterus. Older mares can often have scar tissue, cysts, and inflammatory cells within the lining of the uterus, which will make it more difficult or even impossible for her to produce a live foal.  The crucial first step to determine whether or not you should attempt to breed your older mare is to have a general health exam and a  "breeding soundness exam" performed by a veterinarian who specializes in equine reproduction. This will include a rectal palpation and ultrasound exam, a vaginal and cervical exam, a uterine culture and cytology, and a uterine biopsy. Other tests may be deemed necessary as well. Some clients are hesitant to spend the money on a thorough initial examination, but it will almost always save you money in the long run. A breeding soundness exam will help determine the odds that your mare can become pregnant and carry the foal to term. This will also help your veterinarian know how to best manage the mare before, during, and after insemination.   It is important to ensure that the stallion you choose is fertile, and has had his own breeding soundness exam performed recently. Live cover and artificial insemination with fresh, cooled semen are preferable. Breeding with frozen semen typically will further decrease the per-cycle conception rate, and is more inflammatory to the uterus than using fresh semen.   When managing the breeding cycle in an older mare, I believe that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This means that I tend to be very proactive in trying to minimize inflammation and infection that will occur with insemination. The mare needs to have a clean uterine culture and cytology prior to breeding. I try to manage the breeding cycle so that the mare is only bred once, and as close to ovulation as possible. Often, we assist the older mare in clearing the uterine debris and inflammation by lavaging (rinsing out) her uterus 4-8 hours post breeding. Daily ultrasound examinations will help determine the optimal treatment course. If the mare does conceive, the pregnancy should be monitored carefully to ensure the health of the mother and fetus. Perhaps the mare in question is valuable for genetic or sentimental reasons, but is a poor candidate to carry her foal to term. Advanced reproduction techniques can be used to successfully produce a foal. "Embryo transfer" is the most commonly employed technique, wherein the mare is inseminated, and the resultant embryo is removed from her uterus 6-8 days after ovulation and transferred to a recipient ("surrogate") mare for gestation. This technique has been very successful for obtaining foals from older mares, but does require that the mare have the ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy for about a week. If the mare's reproductive tract is unable to accomplish this, then "oocyte transfer" can be utilized. In this procedure, an unfertilized egg is taken from the mare's ovary, fertilized, and placed in a recipient mare for the remainder of gestation. This technique is also fairly successful, but will incur higher veterinary costs.   In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when deciding to breed an older mare. A thorough examination by a veterinarian that is proficient in equine reproduction will help determine your chances of success. Typically, breeding an aged mare will require a higher monetary investment in order to obtain a foal, but can be well worth the time and effort. Dr. Kerry Beckman, Prospect, KY

AAEP Ask the Vet: Gastric Ulcers

Gastric Ulcers

I have a 15-year-old gelding that I am concerned he might have Vesicular Stomatitis. I noticed today while feeding him he was having difficulty chewing. I had given him Bute in his grain a couple of days ago with molasses for some pain in his hooves, which are being treated by a farrier trained in corrective work. When my gelding is being worked alot he has occasional discomfort as this is why we give him bute occasionally and very sparingly. While checking his mouth, I noticed some raw spots on his gums and he seems to be eating very carefully as if it were painful. I have him in with our two miniature horses, which don't seem to be showing any signs. He is also pastured during the day with our mini donkeys. I have not checked them but will tomorrow. Could this be a result of the bute or possible stomach ulcers? Please advise as there has been cases of VS in my location of Colorado. Thank you so much for your time.  I would recommend contacting a veterinarian immediately for evaluation of possible Vesicular Stomatitis, which is a viral disease that can cause vesicles and blisters of the lips, gums, nostrils, corners of the mouth, and tongue.  Your veterinarian would be best able to perform a physical exam and diagnostic testing to further investigate this issue.  NSAIDs such as Bute can cause ulceration of the mouth and tongue, but this is rare and usually is a sign of toxicity associated with high doses or chronic use, especially if you are using a tablet or paste that is formulated for oral administration.  Gastric ulcers can cause a horse to become inappetent, especially with respect to grain, but do not cause the mouth pain that you describe. Jean-Yin Tan, DVM, Syracuse Equine Veterinary Specialists, Manlius, NY I have a 32-year-old warmblood with a history of serious ulcers (before retiring.) He was treated with GastroGuard initially and again when he seemed to have trouble again due to being fed inadequately 12 hrs apart. His diet is now excellent and he is holding weight beautifully. He even has his top line back. He is given omeoprazole powder with his food. Is there any point to that powder? Once the ulcers are treated with Gastroguard, is that all that is necessary? First of all, congratulations on successful treatment of his ulcers and getting him to an ideal weight! These are all indications that the initial ulcers have healed. However, having suffered from ulcers twice, I would agree that he is predisposed to developing ulcers and should be kept on whatever preventive strategies are possible.  As you mentioned, feeding practices and management are of paramount importance when aiming to prevent gastric ulcers. I would not only recommend small frequent feedings, but recommend that his forage be primarily alfalfa, which contains natural buffers to help with his stomach acidity. It is also important to minimize any changes in routine, and to treat him with medications (specifically,UlcerGard) beginning 3-5 days prior to any trailer rides or stressful events. Besides management, it is also ideal to keep your horse on some form of medication or supplement preventative. While it is true that the brand name omeprazole pastes GastroGard and UlcerGard are the only FDA-approved and scientifically proven treatment and preventative, respectively, for Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS), I understand that keeping him on UlcerGard indefinitely can be cost-prohibitive. You are correct that many other formulations of omeprazole have been tested for efficacy for treatment of EGUS and have shown a lack of significant effect. Therefore, for treatment of ulcers, the omeprazole powder is not likely to be helpful to your horse. That said, scientific studies have not focused on testing medications in terms of their effectiveness as prevention for gastric ulcers. Therefore, veterinary practitioners resort to a variety of medications which are believed to have some positive effect on gastric ulcers, such as ranitidine and compounded omeprazole, for prevention. There are also feed additives and nutraceuticals such as aloe vera juice, buffering supplements, and prebiotic/psyllium products. Due to the small number of published research trials on preventing ulcers, there is no true right or wrong answer in terms of which medication or supplement you use. Most recently, a Norwegian feed additive called ImproWin, which is a combination of B vitamins and salts of organic acids, has been shown in a research trial to assist in equine ulcer healing. I hope you can use this information to formulate a strategy that best works for you and your horse. Jean-Yin Tan, DVM, Syracuse Equine Veterinary Specialists, Manlius, NY I have a 9-month-old colt weanling that I believe has ulcers. I have contacted the vet thinking he was colicing as he began kicking at his belly. The veterinarian told us it was likely gas colic. He does this every night with his night feeding, he eats a bit, starts getting uncomfortable, drinks water, has more food, drinks more water, kicks at belly scratches/nips at his belly underneath his legs (raises leg and looks like he is scratching). He has access to lucerne hay throughout the day and he is put in an open paddock with a companion mare at night. During the day he is in his own paddock so he can eat without being bothered by the mare. I have stopped training him as it seems to make it worse. My question is: Why only at night does he have this problem and not during day, and how do I treat him? I have'nt been succesful with ulcers as I recently had to put down my 30-year-old this year since no matter what I did, they would not heal. Australian omogaurd costs $85 a tube, which is only 4 days worth of treatment. Very costly when you have to do it for months. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am sorry to hear about the troubles you have been having with your 30-year-old and now with your weanling. The clinical signs of discomfort and chronicity of the issue that you describe do sound consistent with gastric ulcers. However, the only method of achieving a definitive diagnosis to guide treatment would be to perform a gastroscopy. This is a procedure where he would likely be lightly sedated, and a long endoscope would be passed through his nose into his stomach to quantify and visualize the number, location, and severity of the gastric ulcers you are dealing with. The diagnosis will help to guide what methods of treatment could be used and duration of treatment, all of which would have an impact on cost. Gastric ulcers are common in young horses and affect up to 57% of foals. Clinical signs may include diarrhea, inappetence, weight loss, teeth grinding, and colic. In particular, horses at this age may also have involvement of the duodenum, which is part of the small intestine closest to the stomach. Treatment, corresponding to the severity of the ulcers, can range from simple treatment with omeprazole (Gastrogard, Gastrozol) which is a proton-pump inhibitor, to compounded treatment with omeprazole, sucralfate (coats the stomach and provides symptomatic relief), and misoprostol (prostaglandin analog which mimics the protective agents of the stomach), to surgery. In addition, you can make some management changes that can help, which is increasing the number of feedings/day when he is not in pasture, and providing a forage source high in alfalfa. As far as the cost-effectiveness of treatment, a new study has just been released that shows that treatment with enteric-coated omeprazole (Gastrozol in Australia) is just as effective at treating ulcers at the low 1mg/kg dose as the high 4mg/kg dose. This can result in significant cost savings for you, should you decide to pursue diagnostics and treatment for your foal. Jean-Yin Tan, DVM, Syracuse Equine Veterinary Specialists, Manlius, NY My horse has a hoof abscess and has been on bute for a month. Do I need to treat for ulcers? The stressful event and any change in routine brought about by the foot abscess, combined with the use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone, are all predisposing factors for gastric ulcers. Ideally, if the changes can be predicted, a horse should be started on 1mg/kg of omeprazole paste (Merial Gastrogard in the U.S.) beginning 3-5 days prior to the change, to prevent the formation of gastric ulcers. Since you are already a month into treatment, your horse likely has either developed gastric ulcers, or is not going to develop them. Before instituting treatment for possible gastric ulcers, I would recommend a discussion with your veterinarian on any changes you may have noticed to his weight and condition, appetite, and any signs of discomfort that can be associated with ulcers. His age, breed, and personality can also be factors that relate to his risk of gastric ulcers. Definitive diagnosis to determine if he does need to be treated would be achieved through a gastroscopy. Jean-Yin Tan, DVM, Syracuse Equine Veterinary Specialists, Manlius, NY Would gastric ulcers cause a horse to get thumps (horse holds his breath) or wind suck? (View Answer) Yes, cribbing and wind sucking has been associated with increased numbers of gastric ulcers but we are not sure if there is a causative relationship there, as not all horses that wind suck have ulcers. One of the theories for the association between wind sucking and gastric ulcers is increased comfort when sucking in air, inflating the stomach, and drawing the ulcerated upper portion of the stomach away from the acids below. For this same reason, holding his breath may also provide temporary relief from gastric ulcers. To further investigate the possibility of gastric ulcers, I would recommend a gastroscopy. Diaphragmatic thumps (synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, or hiccups), however, are associated with dehydration and severe electrolyte abnormalities in horses. If he is experiencing diaphragmatic thumps, immediate veterinary attention with lab work would be warranted. Jean-Yin Tan, DVM, Syracuse Equine Veterinary Specialists, Manlius, NY

AAEP Ask the Vet: Lameness Injuries and Diagnosis

Lameness Injuries and Diagnosis

Can rotation in the feet be corrected? My vet says, no, but that the coffin bone can LOOK better and the horse can be made more comfortable by proper trimming. However, once rotated, always rotated. Is she correct?  Your vet is correct, but it is worth explaining more about the condition of laminitis that leads to rotation of the coffin bone inside the hoof capsule to fully understand why she is correct. The coffin bone is attached to the hoof wall by microscopic structures called "lamellae." The lamellae are sort of like strips of velcro -- one side of the velcro is attached to the hoof wall, and the other side is attached to the coffin bone. Unlike velcro, however, the attachments are permanent. Once one strip is ripped off the other strip, it cannot be reattached. The hoof capsule of the horse is constantly growing and regenerating, but the lamellar attachments do not regenerate to any appreciable degree. This is why permanent damage to the lamellae cannot "grow out" over time. Laminitis, or founder, refers only to inflammation ("itis) of the lamellae. The degree of inflammation will vary with each individual case. If the inflammation of the lamellae becomes severe enough, the lamellae will become damaged and start to weaken. Initially, this causes the lamellae to stretch but not break. If the lamellae stretch far enough they become structurally weakened and can no longer support the weight of the horse or oppose the pull of the deep digital flexor tendon at the bottom of the coffin bone. The lamellae will then give out leading to sinking in the first case, or rotation in the second case. It can be difficult in some cases of laminitis to determine whether or not permanent structural damage to the lamellae has occurred. The only way to tell for certain in borderline cases is to look at the lamellae under a microscope -- but we do not do this in living horses because taking that kind of a sample causes too much damage to their feet. Instead we rely on post-mortem study of horses who have been euthanized due to laminitis to study these changes. For the practitioner in the field, we can only infer what the status of the lamellae are by closely monitoring parameters we can measure -- the horse's comfort level, venograms, and changes in the xray over time. Unfortunately, changes on an xray happen several weeks after they happen inside the hoof capsule so we are usually playing "catch up" with our trimming and shoeing recommendations.  Certain conditions in the foot may also mimic rotation and make the degree of laminitis look worse. A long toe that has begun to flare will give the appearance of rotation (as well as add mechanical stress to the lamellae), but can be corrected with proper trimming. Additionally, severe white line disease can cause separation of the hoof wall from the backside of the hoof "velcro" strip. White line disease can be difficult to treat in severe cases, but it can be improved, and treatment will improve the radiographic appearance of the foot. Good luck with your horse, laminitis is a difficult and frustrating disease for all of us. Heather Beach, DVM, Ashford, CT  I have a gelding that was diagnosed with navicular before he was 3-years-old. The veterinarian said he was probably born with it. I had such high hopes for his horse. The vet said I would probably have to put him down in a couple of years. I have tried shoes and barefoot. Could I send you his X-rays and you tell me what you think? Does any of those supplements help? I can't stand the thought of this situation. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if I can send the X-rays please.  I am able to answer general questions, but not really able to help you with the specifics of your case in this format. I will give you some general information about navicular disease and other thoughts about young horses with serious problems however. The first thing you should know is that most horses with navicular syndrome do not have severe lameness. Navicular syndrome is more commonly a performance limiting disease and many horses with this disease can do just fine with light work if they are maintained with shoeing and other medications as needed. It is very common for navicular disease to be present in young horses, especially Quarter Horses, but having significant changes in a horse as young as yours may be an indicator that this is a more severe form of the disease. The navicular bone is a small bone in the heel of the horse. It's job is to act like a pulley, allowing the deep digital flexor to run smoothly around the heel as it attaches to the bottom of the coffin bone inside the hoof of the horse. Disease in this bone is usually caused by changes in the quality of the bone itself -- the bone becomes hard and brittle and can be more easily bruised from concussive trauma associated with riding, especially on harder surfaces. In more advanced cases, the bone can become very thin, and they can develop cystic lesions inside the bone. These lesions tend to be painful because they cause further inflammation and degradation of the bone. Therapeutic shoes can help maintain soundness in many of these horses for a very long time. As for supplements, I might consider putting the horse on MSM, but I would not expect this to drastically alter the course of the disease for your horse. Isoxsuprine is a medication often prescribed for horses with navicular disease. It alters blood flow to the bone by dilating the vessels slightly, to allow increased blood flow to the bone. This will help the lameness in some horses, while others do not show any improvement. I never expect isoxuprine (or any treatment) to improve the appearance of the bone on the xray -- I only look for improvement in soundness. I urge people who try isoxuprine to try it for at least 2-3 months to determine if it is helpful to their horse. Anti-inflammatory medications like bute can also be used to keep these horses sound and comfortable, but should be used at the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects. Once a horse is sound enough to do light work with shoeing and medication, I will often use joint injections (either coffin joint or navicular bursa) to help prolong soundness and quiet down inflammation. I really like to find a shoeing prescription and riding schedule that gets the horse as sound as possible first though, because these are the elements that will ultimately be responsible for the long term success of the treatment. It often takes multiple tries with different shoe/pad combinations before you find the one that really works for your horse so I always urge owners to be patient and keep trying. There is an intravenous medication called Tildren that has been used in cases of navicular disease with some success as well. Tildren works by slowing down active bone turnover. It will not work in all cases of navicular disease, and one treatment will not last forever, but it can be a very good option for maintaining soundness in some cases, although do be aware that it is an expensive medication, so it doesn't make sense for every one to try it. Finally, the last option for navicular disease is to have a surgical procedure performed that cuts the nerves to the foot so that your horse does not feel the pain anymore. There are some complications with this procedure, however, and in most cases it will only last for 3-4 years before the nerves start to regenerate and the horse regains sensation and becomes unsound again.  The most important thing that you can do for your horse is to have realistic expectations for him. Work with your vet to establish reasonable short term expectations, and find a good farrier who is willing to work with you and your veterinarian. We cannot "cure" navicular disease, we can only manage it. Good shoeing, medication, and a realistic and appropriate work schedule can keep many of these horses sound any happy for some time. Euthanasia would be considered if the horse's quality of life was suffering -- a chronic lameness apparent at the walk that did not respond to shoeing changes or bute, for instance. Heather Beach, DVM, Ashford, CT  I have an 18-year-old mare that is lame in her back, right leg. The first veterinarian performed four (4) chiropractic treatments to no avail. The second veterinarian determined she was “flexior positive” with the possibility of being bilateral lame and in the hocks. Radiographs helped to determine this diagnosis. What could have caused this and what are her options for treatment?  It is quite common for horses of any age, but particularly older horses, to have a bilateral (meaning both hind legs are affected) lameness that is associated with their hocks. It is also quite common for them to present like your horse does with only one leg appearing to be lame at first glance. This is due to degenerative joint disease of the joints of the hock, resulting in arthritis. The hock joints are a very common site for arthritis in horses, but the good news is that there are many treatment options available and most horses respond very well to treatment of these joints. Arthritis in the horse results from a variety of factors. It typically starts with some inflammation in the joint, either because of trauma, repetitive stress from high intensity exercise, conformational defects that put abnormal stresses on the joint, or as part of the normal aging process that we all go through. As time goes on, the inflammation will cause the joint fluid to become thin and provide less cushion and nutrients to the cartilage within the joint. As this process continues, it stimulates bony growth at the edges of the joint that initially appear as "bone spurs." The degree of arthritis present in the joint will depend on the amount of inflammation and the degree of cartilage erosion present. It is important to know, however, that horses may be sore and have positive flexion tests even when they are at the early stages when very little arthritis is present. Conversely, many horses that are at the end stage of hock arthritis are quite sound, because the joint is stabilized and the bone is no longer actively turning over anymore. Treatment options will vary and will depend on your budget, the degree of lameness and severity of arthritic changes in the horse, whether or not there are other sources of lameness in the horse, as well as the athletic demands of the horse. A pleasure horse that goes on light easy trail rides on the weekends may do well with just a little bit of phenylbutazone (bute) given before and after a ride in order for her to stay comfortable and be able to do her job pain-free. A more athletic horse may need more targeted therapies. Some horses will respond favorably to a systemically administered joint product such as Legend or Adequan. These are good first options for horses that do mild to moderate exercise, and have mild to moderate lameness issues, or for horses that have lameness issues in multiple joints. Legend is a product that your veterinarian gives intravenously, and is made from hyaluronic acid, which is a component of joint fluid. Adequan is given intramuscularly and is made of a chondroitin sulfate precursor, called polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (abbreviated PSGAGs). Both products are thought to work by down regulating inflammatory mediators in the joint, but there is only limited data available about exactly how these products work. The final option to treat hock pain is with injections of medications directly into the joints of the hock. This is a more direct way of treating the pain and inflammation within those joints. Typically this treatment is done with a corticosteroid and a synthetic hyaluronic acid. Hock injections are very effective at treating pain in the hocks and the effects typically last for 6 months to a year for most horses, although some horses may show symptoms again sooner, and others will not need to be retreated again after the cycle of inflammation is stopped once. There are a few more options for treatment of very advanced cases of hock arthritis -- it would probably be best to get a consultation with a veterinary surgeon before considering more advanced options, and in most cases I would only consider those treatments if the horse failed to respond to standard hock injections first. You should discuss all these options with your veterinarian before you decide which treatment option to pursue. Most horses with arthritis will also benefit from regular, low intensity exercise to help keep them moving and fit as well. Heather Beach, DVM, Ashford, CT  I have an older gelding that has arthritis in his stifle joints. Other than Glucosamine andChondroitin sulfate, what else can I do to keep him comfortable?  Oral joint supplements can be helpful for arthritis cases, but often times they need a little something else to really help control the pain and inflammation. Giving the lowest effective dose of bute is a great way to make an older horse feel better while minimizing side effects. I usually prescribe a twice a day regiment for a few days, then back down to once a day, then every other day. I ask the owners to notice how the horse responds and to see if they still see a positive response at the lower doses. Often times, the horse will end up on one gram of bute per day, and do very well on that for a long time. In cases where there is a strong concern for side effects due to bute, Equioxx can be substituted instead.  Beyond just giving an anti-inflammatory medication like bute, I will also use some of the injectable products like Legend or Adequan in older horses with significant arthritis. Each of these products requires a three week loading dose phase, then a maintenance dose. Not every horse responds the same to these products, but if they are going to have a favorable response, it usually happens during the loading dose phase, which makes it easy to determine whether or not to continue with the maintenance dose. Finally, arthritis tends to respond well to low level exercise. If your horse is retired, consider going on some walks with him. A nice leisurely 15 to 20 minute hand walk per day could be good for both of you, and gives you some extra time to spend with your older horse. If you can, try to make sure your horse has access to plenty of turnout and avoid big steps in or out of his stall so he doesn't have to really pick his legs up to get in and out. Heather Beach, DVM, Ashford, CT

AAEP Ask the Vet: Preparing for a New Foal

Preparing for a New Foal

I am an owner of an equine facility. I require my boarders to have appropriate vaccines instructed by our veterinarian. Many of our boarders haul in and out for events, hence exposed to different environments. However, it is not local protocal to require proof of vaccines for horses that are hauling in for lessons or an event held at my facility. How do I assure my boarders that haul in horses do not put the board horses at risk of additional exposure without proof of vaccinations? I am also concerned about diseases to broodmares that are present at my facility.  This is a good question and a common concern in facilities with many horses that come and go. Couple that with haul-in lessons and shows or events that occur at your facility, it can get complicated. I will give you some recommendations that you might want to consider.  It is widely accepted and usually required that all horses coming to a facility for an event or show should have a negative coggins test within 12 months. This should not be difficult to require. For return clients, such as those taking lessons, you can keep a copy of the coggins in your file, and request a copy annually. Vaccine requirements are a bit more difficult. To keep this simple, I would limit vaccination requirements to Influenza and EHV1 and EHV4 (equine rhinopneumonitis). There has been much press about EHV outbreaks at racetracks and equestrian events. There are event facilities in my area (Texas) that require proof of vaccination within 6 months. FEI regulations are to be vaccinated no closer than 21 days before a competition and no later than 6 months. These two viral infections are highly contagious and have caused quarantine of affected facilities. Vaccine protocols can vary for other diseases and you likely do not want to impose your requirements on those whose veterinarian might have a different protocol. For example, some veterinarians may recommend Strangles vaccination (another respiratory contagious disease) for all show horses. Others may consider those over 5 years old, or, those that have had the disease unnecessary to vaccinate. EHV is a cause of abortion in mares, and it is common to vaccinate pregnant mares at the 5th 7th and 9th month of pregnancy. Just one other reason you might want to require all horses entering your facility to have proof of vaccination within 6 months. Bottom line, you can require whatever you wish on horses coming to your facility. You can make it so complicated that you lose business, or, rational requirements will keep your boarders happier and help minimize disease outbreaks. Proof of influenza/rhinopnuemonitis vaccine is not overbearing. This would require an updated passport, or a simple invoice from the riders veterinarian that states what vaccine was given and the date administered.  Your question could open a can of worms about vaccine protocol and shows or events. I think this is a practical way to handle your concerns and hopefully keep your boarders happy. Mark Haugland, DVM, DACVS, The Woodlands, Texas  I have been using Diatomaceous Earth as a daily dewormer. My veterinarian is suggesting adding Equimax and then Quest paste. I was reading about kill overload of dead worms. The worm fecal egg count (FEC) is 115. Do you see any concerns? Would there be any concerns for also using this same routine on a broodmare?  Today much more emphasis is placed on individual animal deworming programs as opposed to herd deworming programs, which has been the standard over many years. There is concern of resistance to dewormers and there is abundant evidence to prove this resistance. Diatomaceous earth is considered ineffective at controlling parasite load in horses. There are few concerns about using diatomaceous earth, but it is not recommended as a parasiticide. You may ask, if it is not effective then why is the fecal egg count 115, which is considered a light shedder? This would suggest that your horse has good immunity and should only need deworming twice annually. The moxidectin or ivermectin products are a good addition as recommended by your veterinarian. This will also kill bots and, if you get the product with praziquantal, tapeworms are taken care of as well.  This program is safe for a broodmare, but the fundamental aspect of your question is parasite control. Guidelines for this are based on a fecal egg count reduction test. You have obviously done this in the horse that has a 115 count. However, deworming schedules change depending on the egg count. For example: Light shedder: 200 or less Moderate shedder:  200-500 Heavy shedder:  greater than 500 Based on the egg count, your veterinarian will prescribe a deworming program tailored to the specific horse. In short, the higher the egg count, the more frequently you should deworm. Therefore, the program advised for the horse in your question could be different than one prescribed for your broodmare or any other horse. It all hinges on the egg count. Consult your veterinarian for his/her protocol on egg counts for your farm. He/she will then analyze the results and tailor a program for all your horses based on which category the individual horse falls into. Mark Haugland, DVM, DACVS, The Woodlands, Texas  My question pertains to when is the best time to geld a colt. I live in New York with real winters and would like to get my now 9-month-old colt gelded before spring is in full swing. I have contacted my local equine veterinarian to set up a date but was told it was too cold and needed to wait until it warms up. I asked what would be suitable temps and didn't receive a proper answer just that it be warmer when the ground isn't frozen. With that said, there will be mud everywhere and infection risks will increase. I do have shelter for my horses so the procedure wouldn't have to be performed outside in the weather or on frozen ground. Yet they refuse to perform castrations and didn't schedule for an appointment. I was told I could bring him into the clinic and have it done there however, that isn't an option. My question to you is can you give me an idea what temperatures would be needed for getting my colt gelded?  It is best to castrate when the temperature is above freezing. Remember, the horse will need exercise and possibly hydrotherapy on the area to minimize swelling and pain. Your veterinarian gave you the correct advice to wait for warmer weather or perform the surgery at the hospital. You may have an enclosed area but it may not be acceptable for recovering a horse from anesthesia. Your veterinarians recommendation has your horses best interest at mind. Remember, castration and anesthesia is a stressful event for a horse. Cold weather, particulary in your area of the states, are experiencing unusual cold, which adds to the stress and can be as likely a cause for infection as mud in the spring. I live in Texas and have a castration scheduled for today (January 24). We have rescheduled that procedure due to cold weather and ice. Our temperature is only in the upper 20's. Your veterinarian is giving sound advice. My personal opinion is that 12 to 18 months of age is the best time to castrate unless the horse is unruly and a danger to himself or other horses. Mark Haugland, DVM, DACVS, The Woodlands, Texas  We all know that blanketing a horse in the winter is a difficult decision sometimes, especially if it is a mare in foal. Is this a safe option? Also, a blanket flattens the winter coat. What I\'ve never seen answered is how long does the coat take to "fluff" back up?  There is no exact answer to how long it will take for the hair coat to "fluff" out after blanketing. Hair coat during the winter months is largely determined by length of daylight and ambient temperature.  Other factors include grooming practices, breed, some medical conditions and some medications. It is safe to blanket a broodmare but advised to remove the blanket when close to foaling. A horse that is blanketed daily when the temperature is below 40 degrees and is groomed daily can take 2 to 4 weeks to "fluff out". If you only blanket intermittently, say only when a freeze is expected, then the hair coat will stay dense. In southern climates, where I am, broodmares are generally not blanketed. In harsher northern climates, many broodmares are blanketed daily and moved into a warm enclosed foaling stall 2 to 4 weeks prior to delivery and the blanket is removed. I have seen mares foal with a blanket on, but this is not recommended as limbs can become entangled in the straps and it can be more difficult for the foal to nurse, not to mention trapping its neck in the straps. Hope this helps. Mark Haugland, DVM, DACVS, The Woodlands, Texas

AAEP Ask the Vet: Preparing for Breeding Season

Preparing for the Breeding Season

1. There are so many things we are supposed to do to our mares 30 days prior to foaling (i.e., vaccines, deworming, etc.). What exactly is 30 days prior considering gestation is 320 to 365 days, since so many horse owners go by all sorts of calendars predicting foaling anywhere from 327 days to 343 days?2. Is HCG a viable option to help stallion fertility?3. All male mammals have nipples, where are they located on male horses?4. At what age do mares eggs start to go bad, for example in humans women over age 40 are more likely to have a child with birth defects?  1. The last trimester of a mare's gestation is an important period for the final maturation of the fetus. In addition, the mare's body is busy preparing for a successful delivery and lactation. It is generally recommended to schedule the mare's routine vaccinations during the period that falls 4-6 weeks prior to the due date. The normal gestational length of the mare can vary quite a bit, but the average length is 340 days from ovulation. Knowing the prior reproductive history of an individual mare can be helpful; mares tend to have similar gestational lengths from one year to the next. If the history is unknown or if the mare is a maiden, then plan to administer her pre-foaling vaccines six weeks prior to the due date. This will give her adequate time to mount an immune response and have good levels of antibodies in her colostrum that will be protective for the newborn foal. 2. Subfertility in the stallion can be a very frustrating problem to tackle. There are a myriad of causes of subfertility. Administration of  HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to a stallion is useful in determining if the horse's reproductive problems have a hormonal basis. However, treatment with HCG injections has not been shown to improve fertility in the male horse. 3. This is the most entertaining question of the month! Male horses do indeed have nipples. They are quite rudimentary, and often difficult to see. They are located on the underside of the horse's sheath. It can be nearly impossible to see them in a standing horse, but the next time you have the opportunity to observe a castration of a young colt, you may see them while he is in dorsal recumbency. 4. It is well documented that ageing has a negative effect on fertility in women. This also holds true for the mare, although the topic is not as well-studied in horses. A mare's fertility begins to decline in her mid-teens. Many factors are to blame for the age-related decline in fertility, but oocyte (egg) quality is ultimately the primary reason. Studies in mares show that oocyte quality is significantly decreased in mares over 19-20 years old. "Birth defects" due to chromosomal abnormalities are not as recognized in older mares as they are in older women. Dr. Kerry Beckman, Prospect, KY  How often should a stallion's sheath be cleaned during the breeding season?  Cleaning a stallion's sheath during breeding season is an important part of proper management. The horse should be teased so that he achieves an erection, and washed with warm water. Do not use soaps or disinfectants. If the stallion typically takes several minutes between washing and mounting, then drying the penis is not necessary. If he usually mounts immediately after washing, then blotting the penis with a clean paper towel will be sufficient to remove water that could negatively affect semen quality.  If it is safe to do so, a stallion should be cleaned prior to each breeding, whether it be natural service or semen collection. If the stallion is bred multiple times per day, cleaning him before the first "jump" is usually sufficient for that day. If he is used for live cover, he should also be rinsed off after mating, to reduce the chances of transmitting infection. There is usually no need to clean the stallion's genitals between breeding episodes, even if he does not breed frequently. Frequent washing (even using only warm water), removes the normal micro-organisms that reside on the sheath and penis, which predisposes him to an infection from more potent bacteria. A study has shown that breeding stallions actually have more bacteria on their reproductive parts at the end of the breeding season, most likely due to repeatedly removing the normal flora. In summary, a stallion should only be washed when necessary for hygienic natural cover or collection of semen. A normal amount of smegma and bacteria are part of healthy external genitalia. Dr. Kerry Beckman, Prospect, KY  I own a 22-year-old Warm blood mare She had a live birth in 1996. She is in good health. Can I successfully breed her?  You ask a very interesting question, which does not have a straightforward "yes" or "no" answer. There are several factors to consider when breeding the older mare. Many broodmares can successfully produce foals into their mid-twenties. You must take into consideration the overall health of the mare. Conditions such as chronic laminitis, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Cushings disease, and even chronic lameness can negatively affect the odds that the mare will conceive and carry a foal to term. The mare's reproductive history can also help predict her future breeding success. An aged mare that has carried a foal to term recently has a better chance of becoming pregnant than a mare that has remained barren. Older mares typically have a lower conception rate per cycle (i.e. 30-40%) versus their younger counterparts (that typically have a 60-70% per cycle conception rate). This means that you may need to breed your older mare several times in a season in order for her to conceive. Aged mares are more likely to have reproductive conformation problems than younger mares.  As the mare ages, her reproductive tract slowly succumbs to the effects of gravity, and sinks lower into her abdomen. Also, she may develop tilted vulvar conformation, or have an accumulation of urine in her vagina. All of these anatomic challenges will predispose her to a uterine infection.  Beyond the conformation of the reproductive tract, we also have to consider what is occurring on a microscopic level within the uterus. Older mares can often have scar tissue, cysts, and inflammatory cells within the lining of the uterus, which will make it more difficult or even impossible for her to produce a live foal.  The crucial first step to determine whether or not you should attempt to breed your older mare is to have a general health exam and a  "breeding soundness exam" performed by a veterinarian who specializes in equine reproduction. This will include a rectal palpation and ultrasound exam, a vaginal and cervical exam, a uterine culture and cytology, and a uterine biopsy. Other tests may be deemed necessary as well. Some clients are hesitant to spend the money on a thorough initial examination, but it will almost always save you money in the long run. A breeding soundness exam will help determine the odds that your mare can become pregnant and carry the foal to term. This will also help your veterinarian know how to best manage the mare before, during, and after insemination.   It is important to ensure that the stallion you choose is fertile, and has had his own breeding soundness exam performed recently. Live cover and artificial insemination with fresh, cooled semen are preferable. Breeding with frozen semen typically will further decrease the per-cycle conception rate, and is more inflammatory to the uterus than using fresh semen.   When managing the breeding cycle in an older mare, I believe that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This means that I tend to be very proactive in trying to minimize inflammation and infection that will occur with insemination. The mare needs to have a clean uterine culture and cytology prior to breeding. I try to manage the breeding cycle so that the mare is only bred once, and as close to ovulation as possible. Often, we assist the older mare in clearing the uterine debris and inflammation by lavaging (rinsing out) her uterus 4-8 hours post breeding. Daily ultrasound examinations will help determine the optimal treatment course. If the mare does conceive, the pregnancy should be monitored carefully to ensure the health of the mother and fetus. Perhaps the mare in question is valuable for genetic or sentimental reasons, but is a poor candidate to carry her foal to term. Advanced reproduction techniques can be used to successfully produce a foal. "Embryo transfer" is the most commonly employed technique, wherein the mare is inseminated, and the resultant embryo is removed from her uterus 6-8 days after ovulation and transferred to a recipient ("surrogate") mare for gestation. This technique has been very successful for obtaining foals from older mares, but does require that the mare have the ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy for about a week. If the mare's reproductive tract is unable to accomplish this, then "oocyte transfer" can be utilized. In this procedure, an unfertilized egg is taken from the mare's ovary, fertilized, and placed in a recipient mare for the remainder of gestation. This technique is also fairly successful, but will incur higher veterinary costs.   In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when deciding to breed an older mare. A thorough examination by a veterinarian that is proficient in equine reproduction will help determine your chances of success. Typically, breeding an aged mare will require a higher monetary investment in order to obtain a foal, but can be well worth the time and effort. Dr. Kerry Beckman, Prospect, KY