Danger can lurk anywhere, whether at the side of the road, in forests, or even in your own pasture. Eating poisonous plants can be fatal for horses. But plants are not the only source of danger when it comes to poisoning.
As a horse owner, it is important not only to know that there are poisonous plants, but also to be able to recognize them. You should also keep an eye out for other sources of poisoning. But how can you tell if your horse has been poisoned? There are a number of symptoms that may indicate poisoning:
In case of acute poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately. Tell them exactly what your horse has eaten. If possible, show them the plant or toxin.
The following symptoms may indicate chronic poisoning:
In cases of acute poisoning, you need to act quickly. You should keep your horse stable, which means above all: no physical stress and no more exertion. If you are out riding, you should definitely try to have your horse picked up with a horse trailer.
Otherwise, "rest" is the best course of action. The horse should be allowed to drink plenty of water but not eat anything until the vet, who must be called immediately, has been able to assess the situation. You may be able to feed activated charcoal after consulting your vet by phone. Ideally, you will have this in your emergency stable first aid kit.
Try to keep the animal's circulation stable, if necessary with cool wraps around the legs, a cold cloth on the neck or around the chest. If your horse is shivering and freezing, wrap it well in blankets, even in summer. If it does not want to drink, try adding glucose to the water to encourage it to drink.
If the horse has ingested highly toxic substances, you may rinse its mouth and clean its nostrils. Pasture horses standing in direct sunlight should be moved to the shade. Ensure that your horse is protected and can remain calm.
If it shows severe itchy skin irritation, cool the area until the vet arrives. Be prepared to answer a few questions so that your vet can quickly determine the cause of the poisoning and start the appropriate treatment immediately:
The basic principle is to remove the toxins from the body, stabilize the horse's circulation, and ensure that no organ problems or even organ failure occur.
Painkillers, circulatory aids, infusions for dehydration, liver protection, respiratory support, and possibly sedatives—all of these may be used to stabilize the horse and avert the worst.
In acute cases, you should keep your horse under close observation. The animal will need you, emotionally as well, because poisoning can cause loss of control, which can be very frightening for your four-legged friend. Be strong and accompany your horse through this crisis.
To prevent poisoning from occurring in the first place, you should take appropriate precautions. Keep anything poisonous out of your horse's reach. Search for poisonous plants in the pasture and remove them. Also check the hay regularly for poisonous plants such as autumn crocus or ragwort. When out riding, you should not let your horse eat if possible, so that it does not ingest anything poisonous in unfamiliar terrain. Equipment and stables should also be checked for sources of poisoning and appropriate measures taken to protect the horses.
Piroplasmosis, also known as babesiosis, is a parasitic infection transmitted by ticks that is particularly prevalent in warm climates. Horses, dogs, and humans are all susceptible to this infection. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infectious disease transmitted by ticks. It was named after its discoverer, the German physician Paul Ehrlich. The disease, also known as tick fever, is endemic in the tropics and subtropics, but also in the Mediterranean region. It is therefore important to be aware of it when traveling to southern destinations. Ehrlichiosis became known during the Vietnam War, when several German shepherd dogs belonging to American soldiers fell ill and died. German shepherds, Dobermans, and huskies are still particularly susceptible to this disease.
The word acupuncture comes from Latin and is composed of the words for "needle" and "prick." Classical acupuncture is one of the oldest therapeutic methods in traditional Chinese medicine and has also been practiced on animals in Europe since the beginning of the 18th century. It belongs to the field of complementary medicine, which means that it supplements the treatment methods of conventional medicine.
There are also "bleeders" among animals: animals with blood clotting disorders. These are either congenital or caused by another underlying disease. They are rare in animals, but can quickly become life-threatening in the event of major injuries.
Lyme disease is a globally widespread infectious disease transmitted by ticks that can affect both humans and our pets, especially dogs but also horses. Even though the disease is very rare in horses, Lyme disease should always be considered in cases of long-standing lameness, neck pain, or coordination disorders with no clear cause.
It's good that our dogs need to go outside regularly! This gives us the opportunity to take a break from our everyday routine of work, household chores, and everything else, to get some fresh air, relax, and do something for our bodies. Your dog can also be your exercise partner! There are various sports that are suitable for this. Make sure that you adapt the activity and level of exertion to your dog's breed, age, and health. It is also important that you do not overtax your dog and adapt the training to the circumstances. For example, a jog in the summer can push him to his physical limits, but you may not even notice because he is faithfully following you. Unfortunately, this can also have fatal consequences for your four-legged friend. So always be mindful—towards yourself and your faithful companion.
With age, signs of wear and tear become noticeable in the body, even in our horses. Good care, adequate nutrition, and appropriate training are the best prerequisites for a long, healthy horse life. It is always important to remain attentive in order to quickly notice small changes and take action.
You drive to the stable in high spirits and lead your horse out of the pasture full of enthusiasm. But as soon as you start walking it to the grooming area, you notice that something is wrong. The familiar sound of hooves on the ground sounds somehow different. When you lunge your horse, it becomes clear: your horse is lame!
It can occur suddenly or develop slowly and almost unnoticed. The horse seems to be stiff, and riding together is no longer enjoyable. What is going on?
Especially during the cold and wet season, dogs can also suffer from painful inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) and the entire lower urinary tract. The causes and symptoms are similar to those of bladder infections in humans. Is your dog urinating more frequently than usual and in pain when doing so, or has it even accidentally urinated in the house even though it has been house-trained for a long time? Then your dog may be suffering from a bladder infection, which should be treated by a veterinarian.
Not a pleasant sight: suddenly, your dog is lying in a wet bed in the morning. It smells of urine and they look at you sheepishly. Their nose is still working well and they clearly feel uncomfortable.
Every dog owner is very alarmed when their previously fit dog suddenly starts limping for no apparent reason. It can happen to anyone, whether your dog is athletic or laid-back. It is important to take a closer look: fortunately, the causes are often harmless and can be treated quickly.
