Dr. Kellon Live with ECIR's Jaini Clougher

In case you missed the live interview with Dr. Eleanor Kellon and ECIR Group Inc president Dr. Jaini Clougher, go to http://traffic.libsyn.com/jpr/The_Jefferson_Exchange_06_10_2013_Hour_1A.mp3 to listen to the archived interview.

Jefferson Public Radio covers the Oregon and Northern California area including Jacksonville, where the NO Laminitis! 2013 conference - featuring Eleanor Kellon, VMD and Hoof Physiologist Robert Bowker, VMD, Phd - will be held in September.

The Oregon Veterinary Examining Board has approved the conference program for 13 Continuing Education credits - a great opportunity for your vet or other equine professional to enjoy an informative weekend in a beautiful area.  Lots of points of interest for other members of the family, and a short trip to some of the major BLM Mustang Herd Management areas. Lots more information at http://www.nolaminitis.org.

Best regards,

Patti in Vail AZ

- waiting for summer monsoons

Lethal Beauty

Cardiac glycosides, the primary toxins in oleander, can cause an irregular or erratic heart rate, which may be racing initially, later slowing to below normal. Kidney failure, colic and CNS symptoms from drowsiness to seizures and collapse may occur. 

In the Southwest, Oleander is everywhere. Its evergreen foliage and beautiful flowers make it an attractive landscape plant, used extensively in new housing developments and along roadways. But its beauty hides a deadly danger - just four oleander leaves can kill an adult horse.  Dry leaves that blow into your horse’s paddock are as deadly as those on the plant.

From the latest UC Davis CEH Horse Report: Oleander Poisoning: The Preventable Illness -
"Oleander is one of the most poisonous plants and contains numerous toxic compounds, many of which can be deadly to people and animals. It is especially dangerous to horses, as it is sweet. Symptoms of a poisoned horse include severe diarrhea, colic and abnormal heartbeat." (Read the entire article)

Unsuspecting newcomers to the area may have oleander planted in close proximity to their horses - or your new neighbors may have planted an oleander hedge right next to your horses' turnout fence line. If this is the case, you may have to resort to offering to pay for and help plant a safer replacement. This may be much less expensive in the long run than the potential veterinary bill and can keep you on better terms with your neighbors - they likely were simply unaware that these plants could harm your horses.

Any plants that are removed should be bagged and taken off the property as soon as possible as the dried leaves are as toxic as the live plant.  Toxicity can also occur from inhaling smoke from burning oleander leaves and wood.

One of the most complete listings of poisonous plants is the Cornell University Poisonous Plants Informational Database which lists plants by both common name and scientific name.

Another excellent resource is A Guide to Plant Poisoning of Animals in North America from IVIS (International Veterinary Information Service), which lists plants by systems affected - very helpful if your horse is showing symptoms and you and your vet are trying to determine a possible cause.  Accessing IVIS does require registration (which is free).

If you’re uncertain of your skill at identifying plants you can consult with your state’s local Cooperative Extension agent to walk your land with you to identify potential problem plants.

Best regards,

Patti in Vail AZ

- where I hope to see everyone keep their horses safe.

LINKS

UC Davis CEH Horse Report http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/current.cfm

Cornell University Department of Animal Science:  

Plants Poisonous to Livestock and other Animals Database 

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html

International Veterinary Information System (IVIS)

A Guide to Plant Poisoning of Animals in North America

http://www.ivis.org/special_books/Knight/toc.asp

Cooperative Extension System

Each U.S. state and territory has a state office at its land-grant university and a network of local or regional offices. These offices are staffed by one or more experts who provide useful, practical, and research-based information to agricultural producers, small business owners, youth, consumers, and others in rural areas and communities of all sizes.

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/

Tracking Clinical Signs

Not every horse owner has the resources for serial testing - repeated blood work or imaging - to judge the effectiveness of a medication or treatment and may need to learn how to objectively use clinical signs to assess their horse's progress.

"So, take some paper and write down (really write it down, as a week from now it will be fuzzy) his overall appearance, how much back sag he has, if his eyes are clear or goopy, his coat condition, etc. being as objective as you can.

Rate his attitude on a scale from 0 to 10 (0 depressed, lethargic - 10 happy,curious), his activity (0 lying down all the time - 10 galloping with tail flagged), your assessment of his hoof pain (0 can't put weight on foot for trimming - 10 sound on gravel at trot, maybe a 5 for sound at a trot in boots), sweating (0 for anhydrosis - 10 for excessive sweating).

Put a brief word description next to each score to remind you exactly what you meant when you re-score him in a few days or a week. Take a picture or two to go with, put the pages away in his notebook. 

Do this again in 4-7 days and compare it to the first assessment, then decide if you feel his medication should be increased or if he's shown improvement and you'll hold steady." 

Providing an ongoing objective assessment record can be a valuable tool for working with your veterinarian and keep both of you from guessing if a treatment is effective.  You can view or download the Clinical Signs Tracker here.

Update - using the tracker can help you assess how well your anti-allergy program is working!

Best regards,

Patti in Vail AZ

where it's finally seasonally warm and lovely

Links

http://www.desertequinebalance.com/articles/clinical-signs

http://www.desertequinebalance.com/articles/allergic-skin-reaction

Understanding Thyroid

Iodine and selenium, though needed in only small amounts, can make a profound difference in how the thyroid gland influences our horse's health.  In this article from Holistic Horse, equine nutritionist Eleanor Kellon, VMD, explains the importance of thyroid hormones.

Holistic Veterinary: Thyroid Misconceptions in Horses
Written by Eleanor Kellon, VMD
Most of the body's iodine is concentrated in the thyroid gland and deficiencies clearly influence thyroid function. Excesses are also harmful. Selenium is required by the deiodinase enzymes and by the glutathione antioxidant that protects those enzymes. Both iodine and selenium are deficient at baseline in many areas of the country.
Learn more....

How do you know if your horse is getting enough of these important minerals?

The average horse requires from 2.5 to 3.8 mg of iodine per day for maintenance, and from 3.3 to 5 mg per day when in work.  Iodized salt provides an average of 1.7 mg iodine per ounce, so the average horse would need to take in one and a half to three ounces of iodized salt per day to obtain the correct amount of iodine.  Many supplements provide less than 1 mg iodine per serving while some provide up to 5 mg.  If using kelp or seaweed to provide iodine, make certain the iodine level is guaranteed with both a minimum and maximum - not just a minimum.

While we generally rely on USGS maps to see if a geographical area has high or low levels of selenium, this mineral can occur in pockets or accumulate in low lying drainage area.  Modern farming practices may have also altered the "native" mineral composition of the soil.  Your hay grower may know, but your best bet is to include a selenium level when testing your hay.  If you suspect selenium related issues (continued low thyroid levels despite adequate iodine, tying up or weakness or short striding behind) ask your veterinarian to run a whole blood selenium level on your horse, usually done together with a vitamin E level.

These "micro" minerals, despite the small amounts required,  can have a major influence on your horse's health and well being.

Best regards,

Patti in snow covered but sunny Vail AZ

Links:
Holistic Horse - http://www.holistichorse.com
Thyroid Misconceptions in Horses - http://holistichorse.com/horse-health/holistic-veterinary/2151-holistic-veterinary-thyroid-misconceptions-in-horses
Dr. Kellon - http://www.drkellon.com
USGS maps - http://tin.er.usgs.gov/geochem/doc/averages/countydata.htm
Equi-Analytical Forage Lab - http://www.equi-analytical.com/Services/Analytical%20services.htm
Cornell Veterinary Diagnostic Lab - http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/sects/