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!
The first thing to do is keep calm. Take a close look at your horse: Are there any open wounds? Is there any visible swelling on its legs? Can you feel any areas that are warmer than usual? Is it already lame when walking, or does the lameness only occur when trotting? If your horse is already clearly lame when walking, do not attempt any faster gaits.
All of these are important observations that will help you and your veterinarian get to the bottom of the problem. Sometimes your horse has just twisted a leg in the pasture and will be back to normal after a day or two of rest. However, if the lameness is pronounced or a part of the body is particularly warm and swollen, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. It is important to clarify any movement problems quickly. This allows serious problems to be identified quickly and appropriate treatment to be initiated. Problems with bones, muscles, or joints are often the cause of lameness in horses. These can include (see corresponding articles):
Damage to the nerve tissue may also be underlying to lameness problems. If the spinal cord or brain is affected, the horse usually exhibits a typical movement pattern, which is referred to as ataxia (see corresponding article). Lameness also occurs in the tick-borne infectious diseases anaplasmosis and borreliosis or in cases of phlegmon (see corresponding articles).
After a thorough lameness examination, your veterinarian will be able to make a diagnosis. Don't hesitate to have your horse examined by a veterinarian if you have even the slightest doubt. Even if your suspicion is wrong and the problem turns out to be easier to solve, it's better to be safe than sorry.
However, there are things you can do yourself. Clean and disinfect any abrasions as quickly as possible. You can cool warm swellings with cold water to reduce inflammation. It is also important to allow your horse to rest. Consult your veterinarian to find out whether walking is still possible or whether strict box rest is required.
Horses and humans speak different languages. While humans primarily communicate through spoken language, horses mainly communicate through body language. It is important that you understand your horse in order to work together harmoniously. Here is a little translation guide to help you.
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.
The term "cat flu" or "cat flu complex" refers to all infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract and mucous membranes of cats, with the nose, mouth, and eyes being affected in most cases. Since the interaction of various factors leads to the onset of symptoms, this is referred to as a multifactorial disease. Cats that live in shelters, breeding facilities, multi-cat households, or under very poor hygienic conditions are particularly susceptible to cat flu.
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.
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.
Sometimes a violent coughing fit comes on completely unexpectedly and frightens us as much as it does our dog. Whether it's a dry "barking" cough, a mucus-filled retching or a wheezing sound, coughing can manifest itself in many different ways. It's important to investigate the cause so that we can help our dog quickly.
Seizures also occur in dogs. How at risk your dog is depends largely on its breed: some breeds are more prone to seizures than others.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is transmitted by ticks. It occurs widely in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in single areas further north. Not only humans are infected, but also dogs, horses, sheep, goats, and cattle. In severe cases, the disease can be fatal.
