Lameness in Your Horse

Lameness in a horse is one of the most common health problems seen in horses. Two of the most common causes of horse lameness are called laminitis (inflammation of the laminae of the foot) and navicular syndrome (inflammation or degeneration of the navicular bone or its surrounding tissue). By learning about these conditions you can catch them earlier and therefore prevent further damage.

When dealing with lameness in a horse, you have to be observant. Often horse lameness is temporary and goes away with just rest. Other times the lameness can be quite severe and further veterinary care is needed.

Lameness is often seen when the horse is trotting. If your horse is lame, you will notice a different gait to the horse. There are several signs to watch out for when dealing with a suspected lame horse.

Signs of lameness include - trotting unevenly, a reluctance to bear weight on a leg, throwing the head when trotting, and a reluctance to move.

If you notice any of these signs you should contact your veterinarian immediately, and don't ride your horse. While you may be able to tell which leg is affecting the horse, the veterinarian can identify the exact location that is causing the problem.

The veterinarian will most likely start the examination with observing the horse trotting. After that he (or she) will usually start at the foot of the lame leg and work his way up the leg to pinpoint the location of the pain.

When looking at the feet, they look for many possible causes of lameness. It could be as simple as an incorrect shoe, or more complicated such as navicular syndrome or laminitis.

They will feel the hoof for any signs of heat, pain or swelling. Also, uneven wear on the hoof is another sign that there is a problem.

As they work their way up the leg, they feel for any areas of heat or swelling. They also palpate the tendon and joint areas for any signs of pain.

The two most common sources of lameness originate in the foot. Laminitis is an inflammation of the hoof wall, usually caused by an improper diet or an infection. A diet too high in grain can cause laminitis as can a diet of grass under stress (grass becomes stressed when it is over gazed or when it has insufficient moisture such as in times of drought). Also, an infection somewhere else on the horse's body could cause laminitis to develop in the foot.

Navicular syndrome, the other most common cause of lameness in horses, also affects the foot. The navicular bone is located at the back of the foot and is an area of tendon and ligament attachment. Being an area where a lot of motion happens, even the slightest inflammation can cause the horse to be lame.

By knowing what signs to look for in your horse you'll be able to detect lameness early. The best treatment is always prevention. By feeding your horse a nutritious diet and seeing a farrier and vet on a regular basis you can prevent most forms of horse lameness.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds - The Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is a striking cat with gooseberry green eyes. This cat is the only domestic cat that is naturally spotted and it has spots that vary in size on both sides of the body.

This breed originated in Egypt and, in fact, the word Mau is Egyptian for "cat.” Seen in Temple paintings that date back to 1400 B.C., this cat’s muscular physique is a tribute to its ancestors who hunted along the Nile River. One can almost picture this cat looking like a miniature cheetah stalking its prey in the grass. The Egyptian Mau was first imported into the U.S. in 1953.

A reserved breed, the Egyptian Mau can be somewhat aloof with strangers. Some of these cats love to be handled, while others hate it. This trait mostly depends on which bloodline your cat came from. The Egyption Mau is a quiet cat that has a low-pitched, melodious voice.

A medium-sized cat, the Egyptian Mau has a wedge-shaped head. The ears are sometimes tufted, and usually stand upright. The cat has almond-shaped eyes,and as previously mentioned, they are gooseberry green in color. Their coat is fine and silky. The body is well balanced, with the hind legs being longer than the front.

The Egyptian Mau comes in smoke, silver or bronze colors and is characterized by distinctive spots. The nose and paws are colored according to the coat color. The forehead has frown lines and what looks like the letter M. The lines continue over the head and back of the neck and then turn to spots along the back. The tail is ringed and has a dark tip. Mascara like lines highlight the eyes.

The Egyptian Mau has an average of four kittens in a litter. The kittens are spotted at birth with the exception of those that are smoke colored. The kittens have an interesting eye color that is green when they are happy, but they turn amber when the kitten is disturbed. Once they are about two years of age the eye color stabilizes to green.

This is a fairly hardy breed of cat with no genealogical health problems associated with it. Grooming consists of routine brushing and bathing as needed. Feed your Egyptian Mau a balanced diet, the same way you would any cat.

Most Egyptian Maus make great pets. You really need to choose your breeder well. Make sure you get a cat from a good breeding line. Some lines can be unpredictable and excitable. Most of this breed are affectionate to their family and love children, but can be wary of strangers.

Until next time,

Teia