T & C Angel Ranch

On this page you will find many different types of Equine health issues and treatment's

This is a Great Link below for you to check into for your horses.   The Home of Natural Balance Hoof Care. We have all ran into problems with our horses , show horses , trail horses etc.  So many of our horses problems come from the way our horse shoers trim our horses.   This site has a ton of information , We as well have added A  ( FQA ) Natural hoof care page on our site.  You will find all the information you need on Natural Hoof care / Trimming etc.  please check them out for the health of your horse.  

http://www.hopeforsoundness.com/education/articles/articlelist.html

What is Laminitis? As many people know, the history of laminitis is as long as the history of the horse.

It is a painful and debilitating condition in which the attachment between the Pedal Bone (or third phalanx, P3) and the internal tissue supporting it inside the hoof is degraded.  Due to this lack of support, the whole P3 may sink downwards inside the hoof towards the sole, or, more often, 'rotate' so that the toe of the bone moves backwards and downwards within the hoof capsule towards the sole.  There is published work supporting a better prognosis for horses with 'rotation' than with 'sinking', although both may be present to some degree.  Any number of hooves may be affected.  Quite often it is all four, even if the pain appears to be predominantly in the front hooves.

Unfortunately, there is still no sure way to tell whether a particular horse may survive laminitis with little damage, or be in a position requiring euthanasia within hours.  All cases should be treated as an emergency and radiographed (x-rayed) as soon as possible.

There are merits to many of the remedial shoeing techniques available to support the P3 during active laminitis; however, experience also shows that some horses fare best 'barefoot' with no human interference!  Each individual animal should be treated as just that: an individual.  What works for one, may cause intense pain in another.  The ideal situation is the owner, usual vet and usual farrier discussing the best course of action as a team.  As long as the animal has the chance of returning to a good quality of life, it is worth trying to save it.

Laminitis is NOT always the owner's fault.  It may be triggered by any of the following:

• Excessive hoof concussion on roads or hard ground
• Toxemia, e.g. a mare retaining placenta after birth, ingestion of poisonous substances
• Excessive ingestion of carbohydrates or protein - the issue of 'portion control': to an extent, it doesn't matter what a horse eats, but the quantities are of paramount importance (and rate of change of diet should be considered carefully)
• Systemic body conditions, e.g. Cushing's syndrome
• Stress, e.g. anxiety or worming in some individuals
• As secondary to other conditions or illnesses, e.g. colic

However, laminitis susceptibility in an individual changes over that individual's life.  A much clearer picture of that change is required to help judge best practice in managing horses.

Retained Placentas In Mares
Written by Dr. Frederick Harper, 
Agricultural Extension Service, University of Tennessee

When a foal is born without complications, the horse breeder relaxes. But, there's an additional event to be concerned about - passing of the placenta. Don't relax too soon.

     Expulsion of the placenta marks the end of the third, and final stage of labor. Myometrial contractions begin at the tip of the mare's uterine horn, expelling the placental membranes. Actually, the allantoic surface is on the outside of the expelled placenta. While this is occurring, mares may show signs of mild colic, being uneasy, pawing, lying down and rolling.

     The placenta is usually passed within 30 minutes to three hours after birth. If not passed within three hours, it is considered a retained placenta, and requires veterinary attention. All or part of the placenta (allantochorion) may be retained, which occurs in about 11 percent of foaling mares.
     Older mares (15 years old and older) retain placentas more frequently than younger mares. Retained placentas are more likely to occur after dystocias, prolonged gestations and cesareans.

     A retained placenta can result in metritis, laminitis (founder), septicemia or even death of the mare. Once a mare retains a placenta, she is likely to do it again. Poor body condition or poor environment may increase the incidence of retained placentas. Mares that retain a placenta usually do not have the normal "colicy" signs associated with the passing of the placenta.

     A placenta protruding from the mare's vulva and touching her hocks should be looped through itself and tied with binder twine. This keeps the mare from stepping on it, causing it to tear, leaving a pierce in her uterus, and keeps her from kicking it in fright, injuring her foal, Even a small portion of the placenta remaining in the mare is a serious threat. one may not know that this condition exists unless the placenta is carefully examined.

     When a mare expels the placenta, place it in a garbage bag and put it in a refrigerator or cool place for your veterinarian to examine. it is important that there is only one opening in the placenta, the one through which the foal came. A second opening indicates that a piece of the placenta may still be in the mare.

     Never remove a placenta manually, which can cause permanent damage to the endometrium. Oxytocin is apparently the most beneficial treatment. Antibiotics should be given to mares with dystocias, retained placentas for more than 12 hours, a history of post-foaling laminitis, fever, or a stinking discharge.

     Since mares with a history of retaining placentas are likely to do it again, treated them with oxytocin immediately after birth. Wait about 25 days before breeding mares which have had retained placentas.
     Your veterinarian can also determine if the placenta is healthy. An unhealthy or diseased placenta can indicate a potential problem with a new born foal.

"Retained Placentas In Mares" Glossary

Placenta: A membranous vascular organ that develops in female mammals during pregnancy, lining the uterine wall and partially enveloping the fetus, to which it is attached by the umbilical cord. Following birth, the placenta is expelled.
Allantoic: A membranous sac that develops from the posterior part of the alimentary canal in the embryos of mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is important in the formation of the umbilical cord and placenta in mammals. Also called allantoid.
Dystocias: ill, hard delivery
Metritis: inflammation of the lining of the uterus.
Laminitis: Inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof, especially in horses. Also called founder.
Endometrium: The glandular mucous membrane that lines the uterus.
Oxytocin: A short polypeptide hormone released from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle of the uterus during labor and facilitates ejection of milk from the breast during nursing.