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Horse Ingests Chicken Feed, Survives With Quick Intervention

Chickasaw Squaw, a 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare whose stable name is Chic, visited the Virginia Tech Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in July for an emergency appointment.

Owned by junior rider Eston and his dad, Todd Alexander, Chic and her stablemates raided the Alexanders' grain storage and consumed not only horse feed, but also chicken feed, which is toxic to horses and can prove fatal.

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The following morning, Chic was visibly uncomfortable. Her primary care veterinarian, Dr. Justin Sobota of South Mountain Equine, was called to the farm, and he worked on Chic to relieve her discomfort. After a nasogastric tube was passed and water, electrolytes, and anti-inflammatory medication were administered, there was no visible improvement to Chic's comfort level, so she was referred to the Equine Medical Center for further diagnostics, treatment and care.

Upon arrival, Chic was dull and clearly uncomfortable. Thorough examination by the center's medicine team, led by resident Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, and on-site diagnostic testing confirmed that Chic was suffering from systemic inflammation and endotoxemia, secondary to grain overload.

Chic's temperature of 102.5 degrees landed her in the center's biosafety level 2 isolation building, which offers overnight supportive care in a temperature-controlled environment conducive to the recovery of critically ill horses. Aggressive medical management was started: intravenous fluids, anti-endotoxin therapy, electrolyte supplementation, vitamin supplementation, anti-inflammatories, ice boots to prevent laminitis and a stomach lavage.

By the following morning, Chic's temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate had normalized, and she was comfortable with no signs of colic or laminitis. Although she had not passed any manure overnight, she was much brighter and had a great appetite.

Chic was started on a gradual refeeding plan with small amounts of hay and she continued to maintain a great appetite.

After three days, the intravenous fluid therapy was discontinued and Chic was gradually weaned off anti-inflammatories. The following day, much to Eston's delight, the mare was able to go home for continued rest and recuperation under his care.

“We are so happy and impressed with the care that Chic received. Dr. Hernandez was so good about keeping us informed and up to date on Chic's progress,” Todd said. “It was obvious that Dr. Hernandez was truly concerned not only about her patient, but also our son Eston and how he was feeling. We can't thank Dr. Hernandez and her staff enough.”

The post Horse Ingests Chicken Feed, Survives With Quick Intervention appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Boo, Hiss: How To Handle Equine Snakebites

As the weather warms across the country, snakes are becoming more active – and the chance for snakebites rises. Though many horses don't bother snakes when they come upon them in pastures and fields, it's not unusual for inquisitive horses to be bitten on the nose, head or neck. Horses may also get bitten on the lower legs, though these bites are less dangerous to a horse's wellbeing.

Owners rarely see a horse get bitten by a snake, but knowing how to properly handle a horse who has been bitten is key. The most dangerous snake species for horses is the rattlesnake, which is common in the southwest and western parts of the United States. Copperheads and water moccasins are also venomous and pose a danger to horses. All three of these snakes have toxins and digestive enzymes in their venom that cause extreme, localized swelling, tissue damage, and heart complications.

A horse who has been bitten by a snake will be swollen and painful at the bite site and bloody discharge may drain from his nostrils. If the horse was bitten on the head, his eyelids may swell shut and his breathing may be compromised as his nostrils and throat swell. The bite may be severe enough to cause muscle weakness.

A horse requires immediate medical attention if they received a venomous snake bite. A horse owner should keep the horse as calm as possible to slow toxin absorption until the vet can arrive. The horse should not be moved unless the veterinarian determines the horse needs to be trailered to a clinic. Owners should not try to open the wound further or remove the venom.

If the horse was bitten on the nose, a piece of garden hose may need to be inserted into each nostril to keep his airway open. If the horse was bitten on the leg, a tourniquet should be placed above the bite area. Cold water or ice packs placed on the bite can delay swelling.

The veterinarian will administer anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids to reduce tissue swelling and may also give a tetanus booster or antitoxin. The vet may also administer antivenin. In severe cases, the vet may perform a tracheotomy to prevent suffocation.

Horses In North Carolina Dying From Mystery Illness

New Hope Stables in North Carolina has had four horses die from a mystery illness that veterinarians cannot isolate or explain. Treasure, an 18-year-old rescue horse used in the stable's lesson program, was the first horse afflicted and was originally suspected to be colicking when barn workers found him down on September 23.

When the veterinarian arrived, however, it was apparent that Treasure was not colicking, but the horse was experiencing gastrointestinal irritation. The gelding was sent to Woodside Equine Clinic in Richmond, VA, where he deteriorated and was euthanized.

On Sept. 28, several other horses at the farm became ill and three died. Three horses remain in the clinic and nearly half of the farm's stable is on intravenous fluids.

Treating veterinarian Dr. Shanna Edwards has asked colleagues all over the United States for opinions; thus far no conclusive diagnosis has been reached, even after a necropsy of one of the horses.

Affected horses have diarrhea, colic and fever, and become bloated and lethargic. Edwards suspects a toxin may be in the horse's hay, grain or water as every horse in the farm is affected, which doesn't typically happen with an infectious disease. The farm has stopped using their well water and has brought in new hay and grain.

A GoFundMePage has raised nearly $30,000 of the $20,000 goal.