Questions & Answers
1. What is SMZ ?
SMZ is the commonly used antibiotic sulfamethoxazole with Trimethoprim
2. What disease is thought to be transmitted by opossums?
EPM - equine protozoal myeloencephalitis
3. What is an expectorant?
A drug that helps break up respiratory mucous.
3. What is Habronemiasis?
Habronema are the normal stomach worms of the horse. The larvae of these worms are passed out in the manure. Deposition of these larvae by flies in existing wounds or in warm moist areas, such as the eye, can lead to "summer sores" or non-healing , enlarging wounds. This occurs only in "sensitive" horses who are mounting an inappropriate immune response to these larvae.
4. What is the average length of gestation in the horse?
340 days
5. Match the most likely locations for the following tumors ( Sarcoids being the most common):
a. Squamous Cell Tumors (3) 1. Under the tail including anus and perineum
b. Melanoma Tumors (1) 2. Head, limbs, anywhere
c. Sarcoid Tumors (2) 3. Eyes, non-pigmented areas like genitals, mucocutaneous junctions
6. What is ileus?
Ileus is a decrease or cessation in intestinal motility that can be a complication of abdominal surgery or of a compromised intestine due to infection or colic.
7. What is the treatment for excessive granulation tissue (proud flesh)?
Proud flesh occurs when the granulation tissue on a healing wound exceeds the skin level. This prevents the epithelial cells from migrating across the wound. Treatments include pressure bandaging, topical caustics and anti-inflammatories, and surgical granulation tissue reduction when needed.
8. What is a "splint" ?
It is a firm to hard enlargement along the splint bone. It is most common in the forelegs,on the inside and on the upper one third of the bone. It may be due to trauma or injury to the small ligament that attaches the splint bone to the cannon bone .A splint may cause lameness.
9. What are the signs of "choke"?
In a horse choke refers to an obstruction in the esophagus (food tube). Signs may include any or all of the following: coughing, retching, drooling and excessive salivation, food-tinged nasal discharge, apprehension, agitation, depression.
10. What is Exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage or EIPH?
It is bleeding from the lungs that occurs with exercise. Sometimes this hemorrhage is apparent as epistaxis (or bleeding from the nostril) but sometimes it can only be diagnosed through endoscopic examination. In general, EIPH will reduce the athletic ability of the horse.
Q& A II
1. What is the most common tumor in horses ??
The sarcoid is a benign, virally-induced tumor composed mostly of connective tissue. It can be locally aggressive often appearing on the head (eyelids, ears, mouth), legs and trunk. There is no breed, sex, or coat color correlation.
2. What is flunixin meglumine?
Banamine (one brand name) is an anti- inflammatory/ anti-endotoxin/ anti-pyretic drug often used in colic and for pain management and for a variety of musculo-skeletal problems.
3. What drug is known to induce parturition ?
0xytocin
4. Name 4 causes of a unilateral nasal discharge.
Tooth problem, sinusitis, tumor in nasal passage or in sinus, foreign body
5. What are 3 signs of ocular pain?
Squinting, tearing, photophobia,
6. Which 3 draft breeds do not have "feathers"?
Belgians, Percherons, Suffolk
7. The Appaloosa breed registry requires a horse to to have what 4 characteristics?
Approved coat pattern, striped hoofs, white sclera, mottled skin
8. What 2 major hormones are produced in the ovary?
Estrogen, progesterone
9. What is "rain scald or rain rot" ? How is it treated?
This is a common dermatitis usually on the back caused by the organism Dermatophilus congolensis that often caused scabs and crusting and is most prevalent during moist conditions.
10. Why is taking a foal antibody test important?
To confirm that the foal has had enough colostrum to transfer needed immunologic protection from the mare.
11. What are the normal equine values for: pulse rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. (see emergency section)
12. What is the average length of gestation in a horse?
340 days
13. What are some signs of a tooth problem?
Unilateral nasal discharge, bad smell, trouble eating, problem chewing, facial swelling.
14. What do you need to tell the veterinary clinicwhen you have an emergency?
Temperature, pulse, respiration, visible injury (if any)
15. What factor may cause foal vaccination failure?
Vaccinating a foal too early while maternal antibodies are still present that would interfere with production of longer term immunity.
16. What are 4 clinical signs of inflammation?
Redness, heat, swelling, pain
17. Name a few of the developmental orthopedic diseases.
OCD, angular limb deformities, flexor deformities, physitis
18. What is the only breed of horse named after its owner?
Morgan
19. When is an eye problem an emergency?
When the horse is showing signs of pain or when the cornea is cloudy or discolored.
20. What is a keratoma?
Tumor within the hoof capsule that compresses bone and other tissues causing necrosis (tissue death).
21. What is the most common parasitic dermatologic condition?
Lice
22. Name the bones of the hoof.
See navicular section for a diagram. The coffin bone (P-3) and the navicular bone. The equine digit consists of P-1 (long pastern bone), P-2 (short pastern bone), (P-3), and the navicular bone.
23. When are nerve blocks used?
As part of a complete lameness evaluation to anatomically isolate the site of pain causing the lameness.
24. When should a pregnant mare be vaccinated?
One month before foaling, at 10 months
25. What are wolf teeth?
The upper first vestigial pre-molar found in some horses.
26. How early can a mare be checked for pregnancy?
Generally, 14-15 days post-ovulation.
27. What guidelines should be used when considering a referral to a surgical facility for colic?
a. Does the horse have a condition that would be better treated at a hospital?
b. Is the horse stable enough to make the trip?
c. Is is economically feasible?
28. What causes strangles?
Strep equi, a bacteria
29. What is signalment when evaluating a horse?
Age, sex, and breed
30. What is foal heat?
The first estrus after foaling, usually 9-14 days post-foaling.
mostly by Steve B. Levine DVM
