by Frosty Franklin, DVM
Edgecliff Equine Hospital
S. 1322 Park Road, Spokane, WA 99212 * 509/924-6069
Providing veterinary care for miniature horses
is an exciting and challenging addition to equine medicine.
Two health issues that are of great importance to miniature
horse owners are dental care and reproductive care. Dental
pathology is very common in miniature horses as are reproductive
problems. In order to lessen any confusion about these topics
and give mini horse owners easy to follow guidelines, we have
adapted an excerpt from Dr. Katherine Burnett's Miniature Horse
Care- A Veterinary Guide. Keep in mind that these are only
guidelines. If you are experiencing a situation that is not
clearly defined in the following article, please do not hesitate
to call your veterinarian for further assistance.
DENTISTRY
At birth: The veterinarian should check the incisors for
proper bite alignment, noting any over- or underbites.
0-12 Months: The farm manager should check the bite (incisor
alignment) monthly. Any overbite or underbite that is off
by more than 1/4 tooth should be examined by a veterinarian
if it does not resolve on its own within two months. If the
bite is persistently abnormal, then the veterinarian may
need to gently file off any uneven surfaces on the incisors
and molars. This procedure is most effective if performed
by ten months of age. Smoothing the teeth allows the jaws
to slide more freely and will often allow the bite to correct.
2-3.5 Years: At this age, deciduous (baby) incisors and
molars are erupting and shedding from the mouth as the permanent
teeth erupt and push them out. Deciduous molars are called "caps" when
their roots dissolve and they are about to shed. Sometimes
they are retained, that is, they remain adhered to the permanent
tooth after the permanent tooth has started to erupt through
the gum. Facial swelling below the eyes, as well as localized
sinus infections and blocked tear ducts (runny eyes) can
result. Removing caps is a simple procedure that helps relieve
symptoms and restores the face to its normal shape. NOTE:
A persistent single bump below the eye should be examined.
It may be a deformed tooth or tooth root.
Adults: Any mini that is dropping grain, spitting out balls
of hay, retaining feed in its cheeks, eating slowly, or not
maintaining its weight should have a thorough dental examination.
Equine dentistry has progressed tremendously in recent years,
and many dental problems that were once incurable can now
be corrected. All miniatures, even those without apparent
problems, should have an annual dental examination. Neglected
dental problems can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, chronic
weight loss and severe discomfort for the animal.
REPRODUCTION
Miniature mares have a much higher rate of pregnancy loss
than other breeds. For this reason, it is imperative that pregnant
mares receive excellent care for the duration of their pregnancies.
4-6 weeks after last day
of breeding: Your veterinarian should
palpate* or ultrasound the mare to confirm pregnancy. If pregnancy
is confirmed, start the mare on 1/2lb. of a grain mix formulated
specifically for pregnancy. Continue your routine deworming
program using pyrantel and/or ivermectin. Avoid moxidectin
(Quest).
5 months: It is necessary to have your veterinarian palpate*
or ultrasound your mare again to confirm pregnancy because
early pregnancy loss is so common in miniature horses. Vaccinate
for rhinopneumonitis.
7 months: Vaccinate for rhinopneumonitis.
9-1/2 months: Vaccinate for rhinopneumonitis, influenza, tetanus,
encephalomyelitis, and rabies. Ask your veterinarian to give
you a list of supplies you will need for the foaling. Start
stalling the mare at night and when unattended for long periods
during the day.
*There is no evidence that palpation or ultrasound causes
abortion in the miniature mare. The examination in conducted
in the rectum; the uterus and cervix are not manipulated during
the procedure. The procedure does not invade the vagina, cervix,
or uterus; the veterinarian gently feels the surface of the
uterine wall through the rectal wall. It is natural to assume
that if an abortion takes place within days or weeks after
a palpation that the palpation is to blame. With pregnancy
loss rates as high as 31%, this is bound to happen fairly often
as a coincidence.
Some equine veterinarians will have trouble palpating miniature
mares because the minis are so small and the veterinarian's
hands are too big. In order to eliminate this problem, we have
been using an ultrasound technique developed by a doctor in
Virginia. Using a modified balling gun, the ultrasound probe
is inserted into the rectum allowing the veterinarian to scan
the uterus for pregnancy. We have found this technique to be
very accurate and comfortable for the mini mares. We have confirmed
numerous pregnancies using this ultrasound technique, a few
as early as 18-23 days post breeding.
Miniature horses are quickly becoming very popular in our
country. As their popularity continues to grow, so will advances
in miniature equine veterinary medicine. As with any horse,
please consult your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems,
or if you just need questions answered.
"HYPERLIPEMIA"...QUICK & DEADLY
Recent events have prompted me to write this article as
an "alert" to all Miniature Horse owners about
a very serious condition called "Hyperlipemia".
I had never heard of this particular malady until just a
few months ago when a couple of my friends had Minis come
down with this, and came very close to losing them! I have
since read of many, many others on the internet who have
had experiences with the same condition...and in most cases,
the Minis died! In this day & age of e-mail, world-wide
web, surfing the net, etc, etc...we are all much more "connected" to
people all over the country (not to mention the world!) One
lady who was experiencing Hyperlipemia with her Mini mare
wanted to learn more...and requested, on line, that others
who had similar experiences to please contact her. She was
shocked at the number of responses she received. 36 Minis
were affected (27 mares & 9 colts/stallions). 13 lived....23
DIED!
Rare condition? I don't think so! Just think of all the people
out there that she didn't hear from!
I am not a veterinarian, and this article by no means should
be taken as a substitute for your own vet's expertise. This
article is just to give everyone a basic understanding of
this serious problem, and alert Miniature owners to the symptoms.
Call your vet immediately upon suspicion of this condition!
Hopefully, other Miniatures will be saved in the future by
educating owners how to recognize Hyperlipemia.
"HYPERLIPEMIA"
Hyperlipemia is generally considered a rare occurrence in
full-sized horses, but is proving to be otherwise in Miniatures & ponies!
This malady usually comes on very suddenly and can be fatal
if not diagnosed rapidly and treated very aggressively...
within just a day or so!
The word Hyperlipemia itself means "over-active or excessive
fat". For some reason the body calls on its fat reserves
and doesn't "turn off" like it normally should.
The fat quickly begins entering the bloodstream and overloads
the liver, which results in damage to the liver or complete
liver failure & death if not treated promptly. Triglyceride
levels are high, kidney function poor, low blood sugar & so
on.
This seems to be a "stress" induced condition.
For any number of reasons, such as foaling or being in late
stage pregnancy, excessive weight (although, thin horses
can get this also!), colic, transportation, internal parasites,
change of diet, etc., etc....the horse gets "depressed" and
stops eating. (They are usually not interested in grain,
hay, pasture....nothing!) Depression, weakness, staggering
or reluctance to move, glassy eyes, edema (lump in front
of belly button) are all potential signs to watch for. Mares
who have recently foaled or who are lactating appear to be
the highest risk group!
When the horse stops eating, it triggers the fat reserves
into action & then won't stop unless you get proper treatment & can
get the horse eating again. Some horses with this condition
may first be diagnosed (in error) with just low blood sugar...but
with Hyperlipemia, complete & proper diagnosis followed
by IMMEDIATE treatment is imperative if the horse is to live!
So, anyone who has a horse who is acting depressed & has
stopped eating for more than a day or so, should immediately
suspect Hyperlipemia & have their vet run a series of
blood tests.
Diagnosis of this condition is through a variety of blood
tests. Treatment is to break down the excess fat in the bloodstream
and to stop the release of fat from the body tissues. And,
it's imperative to get the horse eating again and/or provide
nutrition to the horse via I-V feeding. Insulin and glucose
are used to keep the body from releasing more fat into the
blood stream. Heparin (an angi-coagulant) is used to break
down the fat that is already in the bloodstream. Treatments
can get exotic depending on how advanced the condition has
become and your particular vet's methods. Make no bones about
it...Hyperlipemia is most definitely a scary, life-threatening
condition that comes on quickly & demands immediate attention
to save the horse!
But, as grim as this all sounds...remember that Miniatures
are a particularly hardy breed...even when it looks hopeless,
don't ever give up! One lady whose pregnant Mini mare "Mundy" came
down with this and was tested to have a triglyceride level
of 3100, was told that NO horse had ever lived with a triglyceride
level over 1200! Well, miracle of miracles...this tough little
mare DID make it by the grace of God & several weeks
of expert, intensive treatment at the vet's clinic...and
of course, the loving dedication of her owner! And to top
it off, "Mundy" went on to foal a beautiful, healthy
little filly just a couple of weeks after returning home
from the clinic! The "toughness" of these little
horses never cease to amaze me!
In closing...I believe Hyperlipemia is turning out to be
much more common in the Miniature breed than originally thought.
I also think that a condition as serious as this warrants
further investigation & research to see just how big
of a problem this is, and possibly finding ways to reduce
the number of horses affected. Losing even one Miniature "friend" is
tragic...especially when that friend is yours!
(dedicated to "Mundy" and her "Miracle Filly")
submitted by: Dona Neargarder - Kickapoo
Acres Miniature Horses
Sandy Revard