An ear fistula, also known as an ear cyst or ear base fistula in horses, describes a malformation occurring on one or both sides consisting of scattered tooth buds located as a cyst at the base of the horse's ear. Animals between three and twelve months old are most commonly affected.
The disease is triggered by a congenital malformation of the horse's tooth buds. The exact causes of this malformation are unknown. A hereditary predisposition has not yet been proven.
During the foal's embryonic development, cells responsible for tooth development may end up in other places, such as the base of the ear. This results in bony tooth formations that become inflamed in the wrong place, leading to the formation of a fistula in the horse's ear. Through the so-called fistula tract (a tube-like connection), a purulent, milky discharge reaches the skin surface and empties from a small fistula opening at the lower edge of the ear.
The scattered tooth buds are always supernumerary teeth; the horse's dentition is otherwise normally developed.
The affected horses are usually presented to the veterinarian because of this purulent discharge from the ear. Often, the owner only notices the dried secretion running down the side of the head. Occasionally, painless swelling in the ear area can also be seen. The skin around the fistula opening may be inflamed.
In the majority of cases, the affected horses show no signs of pain or general discomfort. However, if large enough, the tooth formations can lead to riding problems and, in the worst case, neurological symptoms due to displacement of cerebral substance.
The general and specific examination, along with your detailed preliminary report on the onset and extent of the symptoms, will provide your veterinarian with valuable information about the disease. During the special examination, they can sometimes detect enlargements or hardening at the base of the fistula by palpation, but more often by probing the fistula with a flexible probe. If manual pressure is applied to this structure from the outside, a large amount of secretion is usually discharged.
To confirm the diagnosis and determine the location and extent of the tooth formation, an X-ray examination should always be performed. Ultrasound examinations and biopsies (tissue sampling) of the cyst can also help to confirm the diagnosis.
In cases of unclear X-ray images or difficult location of the cyst (e.g., very close to the skull bone), an additional CT or MRI examination is recommended, as these cross-sectional imaging techniques allow for a superimposition-free representation and thus provide accurate information about the number and location of the supernumerary tooth formations.
The only promising treatment is surgical removal of the entire cyst. The horse is placed under general anesthesia so that the entire fistula, including the tooth, can be removed.
After successful surgical removal of the tooth buds, the chances of a complete cure are very good.
With increasing mobility, open borders, and a wide range of travel options, this insidious infectious disease has also become more prevalent in our part of the world. Many dog owners want to have their four-legged friends with them on vacation and therefore travel south with their dogs. More and more rescue dogs are also being brought to Germany from southern Europe and rehomed here, with the result that diseases can also be imported.
This condition of the knee joint, in which the kneecap (patella) pops out of its natural position to the side, is one of the most common causes of lameness in dogs. This dislocation occurs mainly in growing and older dogs of small breeds. Several of these breeds have a particular genetic predisposition to patella luxation.
Like many other pets, our dogs can also suffer from skin fungus. Skin fungal infections occur mainly in young animals, those with weakened immune systems, or those that have been affected by parasites or other diseases. However, the disease is not only a danger to your dog, as many skin fungi are also transmissible to humans and are therefore zoonoses. Elderly and weakened people are particularly at risk of developing a dangerous fungal infection.
It's wonderful that you're thinking about adopting a dog from abroad, because you want to save a life, and that's great! But please be prepared that your new dog may not immediately show you love and gratitude. You should also ask yourself whether you might want to give one of the many dogs in a US animal shelter a chance. Rescuing a dog from abroad also involves risks and problems.
Surgery describes the treatment of diseases and injuries through mechanical intervention on the body. This usually takes place under various forms of anesthesia (numbing). During the procedure, bodily functions and the depth of anesthesia are monitored using modern equipment.
Gynecology and andrology are separate fields of medicine. Gynecology deals with the female reproductive organs, while andrology deals with the male reproductive organs. Both fields cover diseases of the reproductive organs and reproductive medicine. Obstetrics is a branch of gynecology.
This infectious disease, also known as contagious equine anemia, is usually fatal and is caused by a virus that affects only horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. The disease is widespread worldwide, but occurs only sporadically in Germany. It is a notifiable animal disease.
The bit attached to the bridle transmits your rein aids to your horse and is therefore a central link in rider-horse communication. As the horse's mouth is a particularly sensitive area, it is important that the bit suits you both. Choosing the right bit depends on the level of training of the rider and horse, the type of riding, the anatomy of the horse's mouth, the temperament and also the preferences of the horse.
Similar to humans, dogs of middle to advanced age can also develop a sugar metabolism disorder. Canine diabetes is the second most common hormone-related disease in dogs. The first noticeable symptoms are increased thirst and increased urination. If diabetes is detected early, the disease can be well controlled with lifelong insulin therapy. However, certain emergencies can also occur in the context of diabetes, requiring immediate veterinary treatment.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant skin tumor that occurs in cats mainly in the mouth, ears, and nose. Starting in the uppermost layer of skin and mucous membrane, the squamous epithelium, this tumor spreads very quickly and aggressively. Cats of all breeds and ages can be affected, although older cats are more susceptible.
In dogs, as in humans, the anterior cruciate ligament often tears. This strong ligament connects the thigh bone to the shin bone in the knee joint and prevents the knee from overextending or twisting. However, while cruciate ligament tears in humans are usually traumatic in nature (caused by sports accidents of all kinds), in dogs the ligament gradually breaks down over a longer period of time (degeneration).
Hypothyroidism, medically known as hypothyroidism, is one of the most common hormonal disorders in dogs. It mainly affects middle-aged to older dogs, with Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Boxers, and Beagles being particularly susceptible.
