Lifelong care for animals providing clinical excellence, knowledge and experience. NEWS December 2012 Contact us: CALDEW VETERINARY HOSPITAL Carlisle House, Townhead Road, Dalston, Carlisle CA5 7JF Tel: 01228 710208 [email protected]TOWNHEAD VETERINARY CENTRE Newbiggin, Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT Tel: 01768 483789 [email protected]LONDON ROAD SURGERY 87 London Road Carlisle CA1 2LG Tel: 01228 591005 EQUINE TALK We are hosting an evening talk on Equine Nutrition with Sarah Rushby from Dodson & Horrell. Tuesday 11th December 7pm at Newbiggin village hall. Tea & coffee provided. Phone 017684 83789 to book your FREE place. e allergens involved are usually dust and mould spores so inevitably the condition tends to affect stabled horses, but tree or grass pollens can also be the initiating cause. e condition is usually diagnosed on clinical signs, listening to the chest, history of exposure and susceptibility to allergens. In more obscure cases fluid may be taken from the lung to assess the type of inflammatory cells involved. Treatment involves two approaches:- Firstly, to settle the bronchiospasm within the lung using bronchodilators, either by injection, orally or by inhaler. Corticosteroids may also be given to treat the inflammation, and giving these by inhaler is very useful as it avoids the possible side effects of laminitis if administered systemically. e second, and probably more important approach to treatment, is avoidance of allergen. is is however easier said than done as the condition is always found in stabled horses which by definition are exposed to hay, straw, mould spores and dust. RECURRENT AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION by SARAH LEWIN Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) once known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), ‘Heaves’ or ‘Broken Wind’, is a chronic, ongoing condition, oſten presented as recurrent bouts, which progressively gets worse. Affected horses usually have a dry, un-productive cough, but seem well otherwise with no fever, loss of appetite, lymph node enlargement or significant nasal discharge. It is basically an allergic bronchitis whereby the horse becomes sensitized to allergens and releases inflammatory mediators within the lungs causing spasm in the smooth muscle walls of the bronchioles. Symptoms include wheezing, laboured breathing and the characteristic deep dry cough. Respiratory viruses may also trigger an allergic attack by paralysing the normal clearance mechanisms within the respiratory tract, so enabling access to allergens. MICRO-CHIPPING OFFER B y law, foals born this year must be microchipped and passported before 31st December 2012. During December: * To have microchip inserted will cost £12 (inc VAT) *Microchip inserted, passport generated plus horse identifed and drawn will cost £35 (inc VAT) is is also a good opportunity to microchip any other horses or ponies not previously done. For our fesve season opening hours, see PAGE THREE
Transcript
Lifelong care for animals
providing clinical excellence, knowledge and experience.
LONDON ROAD SURGERY 87 London Road Carlisle CA1 2LG Tel: 01228 591005
EQUINE TALKWe are hosting an evening talk on
Equine Nutrition with Sarah Rushby from Dodson & Horrell.
Tuesday 11th December 7pm at Newbiggin village hall.
Tea & coff ee provided.Phone 017684 83789
to book your FREE place.
Th e allergens involved are usually dust and mould spores so inevitably the condition tends to aff ect stabled horses, but tree or grass pollens can also be the initiating cause. Th e condition is usually diagnosed on clinical signs, listening to the chest, history of exposure and susceptibility to allergens. In more obscure cases fl uid may be taken from the lung to assess the type of infl ammatory cells involved. Treatment involves two approaches:- Firstly, to settle the bronchiospasm within the lung using bronchodilators, either by injection, orally or by inhaler. Corticosteroids may also be given to treat the infl ammation, and giving these by inhaler is very useful as it avoids the possible side eff ects of laminitis if administered systemically. Th e second, and probably more important approach to treatment, is avoidance of allergen. Th is is however easier said than done as the condition is always found in stabled horses which by defi nition are exposed to hay, straw, mould spores and dust.
RECURRENT AIRWAY
OBSTRUCTIONby
SARAH LEWIN Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) once known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), ‘Heaves’ or ‘Broken Wind’, is a chronic, ongoing condition, oft en presented as recurrent bouts, which progressively gets worse. Aff ected horses usually have a dry, un-productive cough, but seem well otherwise with no fever, loss of appetite, lymph node enlargement or signifi cant nasal discharge. It is basically an allergic bronchitis whereby the horse becomes sensitized to allergens and releases infl ammatory mediators within the lungs causing spasm in the smooth muscle walls of the bronchioles. Symptoms include wheezing, laboured breathing and the characteristic deep dry cough. Respiratory viruses may also trigger an allergic attack by paralysing the normal clearance mechanisms within the respiratory tract, so enabling access to allergens.
MICRO-CHIPPING OFFERBy law, foals born this year must be
microchipped and passported before 31st December 2012.
During December:* To have microchip inserted will cost
£12 (inc VAT)*Microchip inserted, passport generated plus horse identifed and drawn will cost
£35 (inc VAT) Th is is also a good opportunity to
microchip any other horses or ponies not previously done.
For our festi ve seasonopening hours,
see PAGE THREE
Managing the Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) case
byKelly Smith
BSc (hons) Equine Sports Science
RAO is an allergy/ hypersensitivity to dust particles, so management is the most important factor when treating the condition. It is important to keep the environment as dust free as possible;• Turn the horse out as much as you can.• Try to ensure the stable is well ventilated and upwind of muck heaps and hay/bedding stores.• Use dust-free bedding, such as specialist shavings and paper, avoiding straw and sawdust.• Muck out regularly to keep the stable clean.• Avoid grooming and mucking out/sweeping when the horse is in the stable.• Neighbouring stables should also be kept as dust free and clean as possible especially when in American barn type stabling.• Feed haylage or soak hay (for 30-60 minutes) and dampen hard feeds.• Feed from the floor to encourage mucous drainage from the airways.In severe cases management will not control the RAO case and medical treatment will be required
(see Vets article on front page).
NURSE CLINIC
Defra has confirmed that a stallion in Gloucestershire has contracted Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA), the first time the disease has been seen in the UK since December 2010.The horse will remain under breeding restrictions tillfree of the virus. It’s understood he hasn’t been used for breeding since arriving in the UK in April.EVA is an exotic equine disease, transmitted through mating, semen, or contact with an aborted foetus. Coughing and snorting can also spread the disease, but it cannot spread to humans.No treatment is available. Clinical signs include: abortions, fever, depression, lethargy, stiff movement, runny nose, conjunctivitis and swelling of the lower leg.Vets are asked to remain vigilant for signs of infection, and anyone suspecting the disease must immediately notify the duty vet at their local AHVLA office.For more information visit: www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/a-z/equine-viral-arteritis
Cases of Equine Influenza have been confirmed in Durham, Northumberland and the Borders.We advise your horses are regularly vaccinated once, in some cases twice a year, against Equine Flu.If your horse is showing signs of flu, call your Vet as soon as possible. If they suspect flu, they will take a swab from inside your horse’s nose and send it to the Animal Health Trust (AHT) where it will be tested for flu free of charge (excluding postage).
EQUINE NEWS
FESTIVE SEASONFESTIVE SEASONSURGERY OPENING TIMESSURGERY OPENING TIMESMonday December 24th 2012Monday December 24th 2012
to Wednesday 2nd January 2013to Wednesday 2nd January 2013
DALSTONMonday December 24thMonday December 24th (Xmas Eve) 8am - 5pm(Xmas Eve) 8am - 5pm
Surgeries 8.40-11am 1-2pm 3-4pm Surgeries 8.40-11am 1-2pm 3-4pmTuesday December 25th (Xmas Day) Emergencies OnlyTuesday December 25th (Xmas Day) Emergencies Only
Wednesday December 26th Emergencies Only Wednesday December 26th Emergencies Only Th ursday December 27th Normal Surgery Hours Th ursday December 27th Normal Surgery Hours Friday December 28th Normal Surgery Hours Friday December 28th Normal Surgery Hours Saturday December 29th 8.30 - 12.30 Saturday December 29th 8.30 - 12.30 Sunday December 30th Emergencies Only Sunday December 30th Emergencies Only Monday December 31st (New Year’s Eve) 8am-5pm Monday December 31st (New Year’s Eve) 8am-5pm
Surgeries 8.40-11am 1- pm 3-4pmSurgeries 8.40-11am 1- pm 3-4pm Tuesday January 1st Emergencies Only Tuesday January 1st Emergencies Only Tuesday January 1st Emergencies Only Wednesday January 2nd Normal Surgery Hours Wednesday January 2nd Normal Surgery Hours
NEWBIGGIN Monday December 24thMonday December 24th (Xmas Eve) 8am-5pm(Xmas Eve) 8am-5pm Surgeries 9-10am 3-4pm Surgeries 9-10am 3-4pm Tuesday December 25th (Xmas Day) Emergencies OnlyTuesday December 25th (Xmas Day) Emergencies Only Wednesday December 26th Emergencies Only Wednesday December 26th Emergencies Only Th ursday December 27th Normal Surgery Hours Th ursday December 27th Normal Surgery Hours Friday December 28th Normal Surgery Hours Friday December 28th Normal Surgery Hours Saturday December 29th 8.30-12.30 Emergencies Only Saturday December 29th 8.30-12.30 Emergencies Only Sunday December 30th Emergencies Only Sunday December 30th Emergencies Only Monday December 31st (New Year’s Eve) 8am-5pm Monday December 31st (New Year’s Eve) 8am-5pm Surgeries 9-10am 3-4pmSurgeries 9-10am 3-4pm Tuesday January 1st Emergencies OnlyTuesday January 1st Emergencies Only Wednesday January 2nd Normal Surgery Hours Wednesday January 2nd Normal Surgery Hours
For emergencies call Dalston on 01228 710208 or Newbiggin 017684 83789
LONDON ROAD Monday December 24th (Xmas Eve) 9-12 Monday December 24th (Xmas Eve) 9-12 Surgery 9-10am Surgery 9-10am Tuesday December 25th (Xmas Day) Emergencies Only Tuesday December 25th (Xmas Day) Emergencies Only Wednesday December 26th Emergencies Only Wednesday December 26th Emergencies Only Th ursday December 27th Normal Surgery Hours Th ursday December 27th Normal Surgery Hours Friday December 28th Normal Surgery Hours Friday December 28th Normal Surgery Hours Saturday December 29th Emergencies Only Saturday December 29th Emergencies Only Sunday December 30th Emergencies Only Sunday December 30th Emergencies Only Monday December 31st (New Year’s Eve) 9-12 Monday December 31st (New Year’s Eve) 9-12 Surgery 9-10amSurgery 9-10am Tuesday January 1st Emergencies Only Tuesday January 1st Emergencies Only Wednesday January 2nd Normal Surgery Hours Wednesday January 2nd Normal Surgery Hours
