West Nile Virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and primarily affects birds, horses, and humans. Mosquitoes appear to be the only carriers, and there is no evidence to suggest that horses or humans are directly contagious after contracting WNV. The disease spreads when a mosquito becomes infected by ingesting the blood of an infected bird and then bites another animal. WNV causes encephalitis, or swelling of the brain and spinal cord. This typically results in neurological symptoms such as paralysis, lack of coordination, aimless wandering, circling, twitching of the face and muzzle, inability to swallow, and even coma. Encephalitis can also be caused by other diseases than WNV, so your veterinarian will need to run tests to determine the cause of your horse’s symptoms. Because there is no actual cure for WNV, it is vitally important that you take steps to protect your horse. Speak with your vet about the best time of year to vaccinate, and be aware that your horse will likely need a second booster shot to keep the vaccine effective. Reduce your horse’s contact with mosquitoes by implementing a good insect control program at your barn. Eliminate stagnant, standing water sources where mosquitoes breed. Old, discarded tires can be particularly conducive to mosquito breeding grounds. Keep your horse indoors during periods of high mosquito activity, and keep lights off to avoid attraction to the barn. Incandescent lights can be used around the perimeter of the property to lure the mosquitoes away from the horses. You can also use topical mosquito repellent on your horse as a last line of defense. Finally, if you find any dead birds on your property, particularly jays or crows, call your local health department and have them test the bird for evidence of WNV.
How to Treat a Hoof Abscess
If you find your horse suddenly and acutely lame, and he can barely put pressure on the affected foot, it’s very possible he has a hoof abscess. The first thing to do in a case like this is to call your vet or farrier. After using hoof-testers to locate the abscess, they will cut open the infected pocket and drain it, giving your horse instant relief. Keeping the foot clean is vital for the healing process. First soak your horse’s foot in Epsom salts and warm water at least once per day and then, placing a gauze pad soaked in iodine and table sugar on the infected area, wrap with a VetWrap bandage. To keep the horse’s foot dry, put a plastic bag over the hoof and wrap with duct tape. This will keep the foot dry even in the wet bedding of the stall, and the duct tape will keep your horse from ripping it open. Alternatively, you could use a poultice boot.
You will need to keep up this routine until your horse’s hoof stops smelling of infection, usually about 5 days or so. Keep your horse in a clean, dry stall during this recovery time. If your vet or farrier can’t find the abcess, you’ll need to have x-rays taken. Once the possibility of a fracture has been ruled out, poultice the hoof until the abscess drains on its own, either on the sole or the coronet. You’ll notice immediate improvement when it bursts, as your horse will immediately begin to put pressure on the infected hoof. Before finishing with the bandaging, you may wish to have your vet or farrier back for a follow-up visit to ensure that everything has healed properly.
What to do When Your Horse has Thrush
If you’ve noticed a foul, strong odor accompanied by a black, oozing discharge when picking out your horse’s feet, it’s likely he has a case of thrush. Occurring most often through the rainy winter months, thrush is the result of a bacterial infection that can develop if your horse is frequently standing on wet ground. Additionally, horses can develop thrush from standing in the wet bedding of their stalls. These moist environments are excellent breeding grounds for the anaerobic bacteria that infect your horse’s feet as they become packed with the contaminated mud or bedding. Thrush typically affects the horse’s frog and can lead to lameness, infection, and even serious deformities. Luckily, it is not only easy to catch in the early stages but also responds well to treatment.
Pick out the infected feet thoroughly, then wash with warm water and an iodine scrub and pat dry. One of the easiest and cheapest methods to deal with thrush is to simply combine an iodine solution with table sugar to form a syrupy paste. Apply this directly to the horse’s foot, especially in the grooves along the frog, and move your horse to a clean and dry environment. You will need to keep up this routine daily, for about 5 – 10 days, until the infection is gone. In some cases, before applying the medication, you may wish to have your vet or farrier look at your horse and trim back the frog so that no bacteria are trapped inside.
As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keeping your horse’s environment as clean and dry as possible and picking his feet out everyday are excellent ways to prevent a thrush infection. Since the bacteria cannot survive in oxygenated environments, picking your horse’s feet every day is an excellent way to prevent an outbreak.
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