Cur-OST

Lyme, Anaplasmosis, EPM in the Horse: Relapses, Thoughts and Theories

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The opposite of health is disease and in the horse, we have many chronic and likewise frustrating health conditions.  Many include lameness as a result of direct joint or soft tissue damage, which continue to inflict pain and lameness on the patient as a normal course of the condition.  In other cases, we deal with the increasing incidence of Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis and EPM, which in an of themselves can be frustrating due to the often high recurrence rate in certain patient groups.  Given this group of chronic diseases, which often come with hefty ongoing medical costs and variable outcomes, we need to step back and really evaluate the conditions and how the patient is responding if we are to come up with better solutions.

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Top 5 Equine Conditions that Benefit from Cur-OST

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The horse is a complex creature, subject to many of the same constraints that we put on ourselves, which in the end impacts their health and performance. Each horse is unique in their personality and constitution, which plays a major role in the exact contributors to their particular health and lameness concerns.  Diet, environment, stress, conformation and other influences each play a part, but in most health conditions, we do have one common denominator, which is inflammation.  In most, the inflammatory response is over expressed and if efforts are put into the equation to balance that response, then health and soundness can be easier to obtain.

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Carbohydrates; Intakes & Considerations in the Horse

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When we think of carbohydrates, we think sugar and we also think energy, as the two are often interconnected.  We all need energy and our equine companions are no different, thus carbohydrates are an essential part of the diet, but in excess and dependent on the form ingested, problems can develop and impact overall health.  In order to gain a better understanding of carbohydrates and feeding in the horse, we have to understand some basic principles. Utilized properly, carbohydrates can be a useful means of gaining and sustaining energy needs for every horse.

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Fats; Intake & Considerations in the Horse

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When we think of fats in the horse’s diet, the first few things that come to mind are to improve the shine in a hair coat or to put weight on a horse in need. Although these are both true, there is much more to fats that what meets the eye and thus, a better understanding is needed.  Fats are valuable sources of energy and calories, but there are potentials downfalls as they impact health on many levels, and not every horse is in need.

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horse cough

Is it allergies or COPD??

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Respiratory conditions in the horse are very common, but present in many forms.  As horse owners, you may be familiar with terms including allergies, inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  These terms get tossed around quite often and in many cases, despite the final diagnosis, we fail to see the connection between all of them and the possibility that one can progress to another over time.  

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease In The Horse

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Spring is upon us and with the increase in pollen and other allergens, those horses with prior respiratory allergies can flare, creating a life of misery for them and their owners.  Respiratory conditions impact a large percentage of horses, contributing to health problems ranging from poor performance to complete debilitation.  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the most common respiratory conditions affecting the horse, which can be frustrating to manage.  Just like other health conditions, the more we know and the earlier we intervene, often the prognosis is improved and management made easier.

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Leaky Gut Syndrome; Health & Soundness

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The ‘gut’.  Homebase to the immune system, source of digestion and nutrient assimilation.  We all know how an upset or disagreeing stomach can drain us of our energy, vitality and overall zeal for certain functions, but did you know that the gut may actually be involved with many clinical diseases and even impact joints, soundness and allergies?  It’s true and something we have lightly investigated in a clinical study with horses.  The connections have been known for a long time in human research data and there are indications in the equine industry as well, but all to often, we fail to recognize the problem or address it properly.

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Headshaking in the Horse; Cause and Management

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Headshaking in the horse is a common problem and often affecting up to 30% of patients to variable levels, creating high frustration for the horse owner. The exact cause of this condition can be variable from patient to patient and thus treatment and results can be variable. Headshaking can vary in regards to presentation from simple flaring of the nostrils, flipping of the nose, rubbing the nose, snorting often, sneezing and even variable degrees of overt head shaking. Given the wide range of presentation,potential causes, lack of consistent treatment response and frustration factor for the horse owner, headshaking deserves some investigation for better management options. As is my character, let’s dig into what we know regarding headshaking and see if we can not only make sense of it, but also discover potentials for therapy.

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Case Study: Equine Recurrent Uveitis

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Vision in the horse is a critical factor.  Without it, they are vulnerable to attack in the wild, have a hard time navigating and encounter difficulties in training and competition.  The eye in the horse also tells us a lot in regards to personality and demeanor, often allowing us to see into the spirit of the animal. It is large and obvious, often one of the first things we notice about a horse. Considering the placement of each eye in the horse, as compared to humans or even pets, their range of vision is limited and they are dependent on two functional and healthy eyes.  When the health of the eye is impacted, the health and safety of the horse is likewise compromised.  The equine eye is subject to a variety of conditions including corneal scratches and lacerations, but one of the most debiliating is equine recurrent uveitis or ERU, which is becoming more common place in the equine industry.  What used to be a condition primarily impacting Paint breeds, Appaloosa and even fair skinned Quarter Horses, is now affecting many other breeds.  The exact cause is unknown and despite the best efforts with therapy, these cases can be frustrating and financially draining for the horse owner. Our horses are our companions and given this, it is hard to see them in constant discomfort.  Often, we need to step back and analyze these situations and apply what we have learned from research, to improve comfort and aid in management.

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Joint Health In Dogs; Prevention & Management

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Almost 7 out of 10 people have at least one dog in their family.  They can be of the working class, assisting with hunting or even protection, or in most cases, they are perceived as members of the family.  It is interesting to see the status of the family dog change over the past two decades, which is a good thing, as they have moved up in ranks to more of a social companion for many, following us around with our every task and move.  As we see the changing status and increasing level of meaning in our lives, it becomes even more important to provide for their health in the best ways possible.  Just like us, dogs have joints that will gradually deteriorate secondary to osteoarthritis, which can create much discomfort for them and us.  They often suffer in silence, trying to please us, but it is needless as there are options available to assist in maintaining not only their comfort, but their overall health.

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