Summer 2010 TCEH Newsletter

James Robinson and Commanche 6th at Badminton

James Robinson and Commanche by kind permission of Kit Houghton Photography

Congratulations to vet James Robinson and Commanche who completed Badminton Horse Trials in a fantastic 6th place. 17 year old Commanche has a great record in top level eventing, and especially at Badminton, where he has competed for eight consecutive years including being placed 4th in 2004 and 5th in 2006. James rode a lovely dressage test to complete the first phase on a score of 43.5 in 7th place. On Sunday the pair flew around the cross country course putting in a spectacular clear round with 4.8 time faults leaving them in 4th place going into the final phase. On Bank Holiday Monday the heavens opened as James entered the showjumping arena, although this may have been a good omen as apparently Commanche jumps better in the rain! They rounded off a fantastic competition with just one fence down to finish in 6th place. We hope that Commanche will defy his age to be at Badminton once again next year, but James is also on the look out for new horses to strengthen his string.

Client evening

A reminder that our Safer Horse Rescues client evening is on 3rd June 2010 at John Masefield High School, Ledbury. There are still a few places left so please contact the office if you would like to join us for what is sure to be an informative and entertaining evening.

News

The new treatment room

Graham Potts has had a busy spring fulfilling his duties as the Australian Eventing Team Vet at Badminton and Chatsworth Horse Trials, he must be doing something right as both events were won by Aussies! Graham has also found time to lecture to final year vet students at Bristol University and the Royal Veterinary College, London. Andrew Harrison is chief examiner for the RCVS certificate in equine practice and has been marking exam papers and preparing for TCEH to host the practical exams this summer. Best of luck to our veterinary nurse Caroline with her forthcoming wedding this month.

We have recently completed the building of a new treatment room equipped with stocks which can be used for a range of procedures including the treatment of colic patients, dental procedures and fertility cases. It is not too late to put your mare in foal, please contact us if you are interested in using artificial insemination (AI). We offer a range of fertility packages for insemination of mares with chilled or frozen semen and are able to accommodate mares with foals at foot, either stabled or on grass livery.

New Foals

Inserting a microchip

Just a reminder that all foals must have a passport and microchip by 6 months of age or by 31st December in the year they are born, whichever is later. Please contact the relevant breed society for passport forms if your foal is to be registered with a specific society, otherwise we can supply standard Pet-ID or Weatherbys paperwork. Identities must be completed and microchips inserted by a veterinary surgeon.

It is advisable for all foals to be wormed from approximately four weeks of age, usually on a monthly basis with either fenbendazole (e.g. Panacur) or an ivermectin based product. The optimal worming protocol depends on the individual circumstances, please contact us for specific advice. Vaccinations against influenza and tetanus should be administered from 5 months of age.

Azoturia

Azoturia has a confusing number of alternative names including “set-fast”, “tying up”, and more scientifically “exertional equine rhabdomyolysis”. The condition is due to a malfunction in the process of energy production within muscle cells leading to muscle fibre damage. This process releases a protein called myoglobin which is excreted from the body by the kidneys causing brown or red discolouration of the urine. In serious cases with massive myoglobin production renal failure can occur.

A typical case of azoturia occurs when a horse is exercised, not necessarily vigorously, following a spell of box rest or reduced work on full feed. Episodes can also be caused by intense exercise such as racing, cross country or endurance races. Some animals have a predisposition for tying up, these are often nervous horses, especially mares.

In mild cases signs can be subtle and include appearing stiff behind and being unwilling to move forwards off the leg. In more serious episodes the horse will be reluctant to walk, have tense painful hindquarter muscles and may become distressed. Signs can sometimes be confused with colic as the horse may also sweat up, refuse to eat, paw the ground and flank watch.

If you suspect your horse has tied up you should dismount and allow it to stand still. If at all possible travel the horse home in a horsebox or trailer rather than walking to avoid causing further muscle damage. Keep the horse warm and provide plenty of drinking water. Veterinary attention will be required to diagnose the condition, assess the severity and provide pain relief.

Diagnosis of azoturia is by careful clinical examination, some cases can mimic other conditions such as colic or pelvic fracture so veterinary attention is important. Blood samples are usually taken to measure the levels of two muscle enzymes, creatinine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) which are released when muscles are damaged. The blood tests allow us to confirm the condition, to assess the severity of the attack and to compare to future samples when monitoring recovery.

The vet is likely to administer an intravenous painkiller and possibly a muscle relaxant. Severely affected horses will require intravenous fluids to reduce the risk of kidney damage. Box rest is needed initially while the muscles recover, followed by gentle exercise either in hand or turned out in a paddock depending on the individual case. Blood tests can be repeated prior to commencing exercise to confirm that muscle enzyme levels have returned to normal.

The best way to prevent horses tying up in the future is through careful management; avoiding days off or prolonged box rest in susceptible horses, reducing hard feed when in light work, and feeding a high fat/low starch diet. Horses who suffer recurrent episodes may benefit from treatment with dantrolene tablets to control calcium release in muscle cells. There is some evidence that low vitamin E or selenium levels may be implicated in a few cases and supplementation can be given. In complicated cases, and in certain susceptible breeds such as quarter horses, genetic testing and muscle biopsies can be useful to give further information.

Gastroscopy Clinic

Gastroscopy in action

Six horses took up the offer of a free gastroscope examination at our gastroscopy day sponsored by Merial Equine Health in April. Graham Potts identified ulcers in several patients with severe ulceration in one racehorse, which is reported to be performing much better after receiving a course of treatment.

Gastroscopy enables a visual inspection of a horse’s stomach using a 3m long fibre-optic endoscope. Gastric ulceration can be identified and graded enabling treatment to be implemented. Samples of more unusual lesions can be taken using biopsy instruments for examination under a microscope.

There is believed to be a high prevalence of gastric ulcers in horses of all types from racehorses to happy hackers, if you suspect your horse may be a sufferer please contact us to organise a gastroscope. There is more information on our website, please have a look when you have a few minutes to spare.

Accounts line

A reminder for anyone who is calling in regarding an accounts query, account payment or insurance issue to use our accounts line, 01684 591260. This means the main surgery number is kept free for emergency calls.