Tag: Disease management

SO.P.1.4.0 Epiploc Foramen Entrapment (EFE)

Epiploic Foramen entrapment is when the small intestine gets trapped into a segment of itself thus restricting blood flow which in turn causes death to the tissue and toxins to be released into the bloodstream. In the article:

” Risk factors for epiploic foramen entrapment colic: An international study” by
AuthorsD. C. ARCHERG. L. PINCHBECKN. P. FRENCHC. J. PROUDMAN they indified in their research  that:”Crib‐biting/windsucking behaviour was strongly associated with increased risk of EFE (OR 67.3, 95% CI 15.3–296.5). A history of colic in the previous 12 months (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.5–12.7) and horses of greater height (OR/cm 1.05, 95% CI 1.01‐1.08) were also at increased risk. The person(s) responsible for horses’ daily care (nonowner/relative/spouse OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.3–13.3) and a number of behavioural features, including response to a stimulus causing fright (easily frightened OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1‐1.0) or excitement (sweats up easily/occasionally OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1‐0.8), reaction to their surroundings (inquisitive OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2‐0.8) and feeding behaviour when stressed (goes off food in full/part OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1‐1.0) were also associated with altered risk of EFE.”

Type of colic causing small intestine strangulation

Known Causes:  Cribbing/windsucking, history of windsucking in previous 12 months, and a horse with greater height (

Pathophysiology:

“The epiploic foramen is located in the right dorsal abdomen and is bordered by the vena cava, hepatic portal vein, liver and pancreas. Most incarcerations are caused by small intestine passing from the left side of the abdomen through the epiploic foramen to the right side of the abdomen. The ileum and the jejunum are the most commonly incarcerated portions of small intestine and the length of bowel affected may vary from a few centimetres up to 17m. Strangulation of the affected portion occurs as a result of entrapment in the majority of cases and approximately 80% of affected horses have irreversible vascular compromise of the herniated small intestine”(3)

Prognosis:  If the cribbing cannot be controlled then the horse has an increased risk of developing this condition/ the treatment is surgical

References:

http://largeanimal.vethospitals.ufl.edu/2012/12/11/horse-owner-alert-cribbing-and-colic/t
Risk factors for epiploic foramen entrapment colic: An international study D. C. ARCHER*, G. L. PINCHBECK, N. P. FRENCH† and C. J. PROUDMAN P223-230 -( E-Article)
.https://en.wikivet.net/Epiploic_Foramen_Entrapment_-_Horse#Pathogenesis

SOP 3.0 Health and Disease Prevention

Purpose: The purpose of this SOP is to provide guidelines to assist in the decision, management and  Prevention of Health impairment and disease management

Aim  To provide up to date relevant evidence-based medical recommendations to maintain the health herd and reduce transmission of disease.

Topics

SOP 3.1 Vaccination Protocol

SOP 3.2  Health Record

SOP 3.4 Admissions to isolation and hospital barn

SOP 3.5

S.O.P 1.3 : Laminitis Identifying risk factors,symptoms and treatment

(http://www.albertaequestrian.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Founder-info.pdf)

Laminitis is inflammation of the laminae in the hoof.  There are a number of contributing causes that include but are not limited to:

  1. Hoof striking hard ground such as concrete
  2. Metabolic stresses from any disease that affects the blood flow to the hoof
  3. Toxins, that enter the blood either retained placenta or ingested ie Black Walnut\
  4.  Grain overload
  5. Cushings
  6. Obesity

Treatment Goals :

  1. Reduce pain and inflammation with use of drugs (Vets advice)
  2. Reduce mechanical stressors
  3. Control/reduce metabolic stressors
  4. Supporting the frog and reducing stress on the hoof walls
  5. Coordinating efforts with Vet, Farrier and Owner

S.O.P 1.2: Signs of Dental Problems

Signs and Symptoms relating to dental problems in the horse are as follows:

(http://www.thehorse.com/articles/36962/signs-your-horse-needs-a-dental-exam)

  1. Dropping feed
  2. Suddenly not eating hay or grain
  3. Dropping clumps of hay
  4. Eating with a head tilt to one side
  5. Increased salivation
  6. Weight Loss
  7. Difficulty accepting bridle
  8. Soft or hard asymetrical bony swelling to mouth
  9. Mouth odour

Treatment: Call your Vet for thorough dental exam.

S.O.P 1.1.1:  Colic symptoms, recognition and treatment

Colic: Signs and Symptoms 

(http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33366/the-clinical-signs-of-equine-colic)

Pawing at the ground with forelimb
Stretching out;
Reaching around with the head to the flank;
Increased amount of time lying down;
Poor appetite;
Playing in the water bucket;
Continual shifting of weight on the hind limbs; and
Standing against a wall and moving infrequently.

Treatment: Calling Vet sooner than later is always advisable as colic can become worse quickly.

(http://www.thehorse.com/articles/24404/dealing-with-colic-32-dos-and-donts)

  1. Check Vital Signs, Heart rate and rectal temp
  2. Check stall for manure
  3. CALL VET
  4. Closely monitor your horse
  5. Walk your horse around
  6. Do not exhaust the horse
  7. Remove Food
  8. Provide plenty of water
  9. Medication on advice of Vet Only
  10.  Keep Horse contained in safe area
  11. Consider Trailering horse to hospital

 

S.O.P. 1.0 : Protocols for Disease Prevention, Detection and Treatment

SOP Protocols for Disease Prevention, Detection and Treatment

Rationale: Having the information readily available to identify risk factors, signs and symptoms of a disease, as well as treatments, will assist in controlling spread and transmission of any given disease.

S.O.P 1.1 : Abdominal/Intestinal

S.O.P 1.1.1:  Colic symptoms, recognition and treatment

S.O.P 1.2:  Dental Problems, recognition and treatment

S.O.P 1.2.1  Sinus infections/ tooth impaction

S.O.P 1.3  Issues with Laminitis Identifying risk factors and Treatment

S.O.P. 1.4   Renal/Urinary issues

S.O.P 1.4.1  Male reproductive/Urinary Tract

S.O.P. 1.4.2  Female Reproductive Tract

S.O.P. 1.4.2.1 Pregnancy and complications Ref:.

Equine Reproductive Physiology, Breeding and Stud Management M.C.G.Davies Morel Institute of Rural Studies University of Wales, Aberystwyth UK http://scholar.cu.edu.eg/ashrafseida/files/equine_reproduction.pdf

S.O.P 1.4.3  Respiratory Complaints

S.O.P 1.4.4

 

 

SOP 5.1 Biosecurity Plan Visitors

Visitors to the Farm

Intent: Intent of this SOP is to reduce the spread of disease between farms and livestock transmitted by visitors.

Means:

To accomplish this:

  1.  All visitors will sign in to the log book at the entrance of the barn,
  2. All Visitors shall clean hands between handling all livestock either by using the hand sanitizers provided or by washing hands with warm soapy water.
  3. Any person who has visited a farm immediately prior to ours, will either change footwear or disinfect the footwear worn by spraying the footwear and soles with Virkon (potassium monopersulphate) and water solution.
  4. Visitors will obey all posted signs and not enter any restricted area without authorization from the staff.
  5. Isolation areas are off-limits to all pers except staff

Ref:

  1. National Farm and Facility Level Biosecurity Standard for the Equine Sector
  2. Code of Practice for the care and handling of Equines
  3. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/prev-disease-spread.htm#introduction

 

SOP 5.0 Biosecurity Plan- Purpose and Intent

Purpose of this biosecurity plan is to reduce the incidence and impact of disease within the farm population. As well as reduce spread of disease between farms

To achieve this, we will monitor our practices by using the Equine Guelph Biosecurity Risk Calculator three times a year. Keeping a copy of the printed results will enable us to quantify and qualify our progress.

Identifying the disease risks for the farm and facility and how they are transmitted, as well as how to mitigate an outbreak should one occur, will assist us in keeping any illness to a minimum

Review management practices after each assessment.

Keep detailed health records of each horse.

Keep a sign in log of all visitors to the property.

Ref:

  1. National Farm and Facility Level Biosecurity Standard for the Equine Sector, section 4 and 5
  2. Code of Practice for the care and handling of Equines, section 4 Health Management
  3. Equine Guelph Biosecurity calculator,  http://www.equineguelph.ca/Tools/biosecurity_2011.php