http://www.petmd.com/horse/health/rss Health Library en http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_abscess  
An abscess is an accumulation of pus (dead white blood cells) that forms a lump internally or externally on your horse’s body. It occurs as a result of an infection, as the white blood cells assemble to fight off a foreign antigen, then subsequently die, becoming walled off in a capsule as the body attempts to isolate the infection. This lump is usually accompanied by inflammation and can be painful, due to the buildup of pressure. As time passes, the abscess can rupture, releasing pus.
 
Symptoms and Types
 

Slight swelling under th ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_abscess#comments Skin Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:23:24 +0000 272 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_acorn_poisoning  
While many animals in the wild depend on the acorn for their nutritional needs, the acorn poses a toxicity risk to some animals, including horses, cattle, goats, and sheep. Although cattle are much more sensitive to the toxins in acorns than horses, large amounts of ingested acorns can induce severe illness. This is due to the tannic and gallic acids in the acorn, which can cause severe damage to the gastrointestinal system and kidneys.
 
Symptoms and Types
 

]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_acorn_poisoning#comments Digestive Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:23:53 +0000 7163 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/cardiovascular/c_hr_anemia  
Anemia in horses is defined as low blood volume. There are a variety of different causes of anemia, and it usually occurs secondary to some other health issue the horse may be experiencing.
 
Symptoms and Types
 

Unusually poor performance
Weakness
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Depression
Hair loses luster
Heart murmur
Pale mucous membranes

 
Causes
 
Anemia can be classified as acute (rapid onset) or chronic (persistent or long-las ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/cardiovascular/c_hr_anemia#comments Cardiovascular Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:24:09 +0000 273 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/cardiovascular/c_hr_anemia_newborn_foals_neonatal_isoerythyolysis%20  
Neonatal isoerythyolysis (or NI) is a blood condition found in newborn foals. It manifests itself within the first few days of birth and is the result of a discrepancy between the mare’s blood and that of the foal, whereby the mare develops antibodies to the foal’s blood type. This becomes a problem when the foal drinks the colostrum (first milk) of the mare, which contains these antibodies. These maternal antibodies against the foal’s own blood type then destroy the foal’s blood cells, causing severe, life-threatening anemia and ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/cardiovascular/c_hr_anemia_newborn_foals_neonatal_isoerythyolysis%20#comments Cardiovascular Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:23:40 +0000 613 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/cardiovascular/c_hr_aneurysm  
An aneurysm is an abnormal ballooning of a weakened arterial wall in the body. If the ballooning becomes big enough, it will burst, leading to massive hemorrhaging and death. An aneurysm has no warning signs; therefore most horses die of the condition before it is diagnosed.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
The main type of aneurysm seen mostly in horses is the aortic aneurysm. Aortic aneurysms occur when a portion of the aorta, the large artery that comes straight from the heart, develops a thin wall. If enough pressure is placed on this thin area (such as duri ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/cardiovascular/c_hr_aneurysm#comments Cardiovascular Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:22:41 +0000 274 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_back_pain  
Although not the most common injury in horses, back pain can sometimes be a reason for a horse’s grumpiness and unwillingness to move fluidly. With a range of different causes and a spectrum of the anatomy from which to affect (neck to tail), back injuries can sometimes to be a challenge to diagnose and treat.  
 
Symptoms and Types
 
Back pain usually originates from one of two sources: neurological pain, as in a pinched nerve, and musculoskeletal pain. Both of these types may look the same clinically. Often, a horse with back pain will beco ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_back_pain#comments Musculoskeletal Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:01:31 +0000 597 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_blister_beetle_poisoning  
Blister beetles are a type of insect found primarily in the southwest and Midwest regions of the United States. These beetles harbor a very powerful toxin called cantharidin, but, unlike other types of insects, it does not spread this toxin through biting. Adult blister beetles feed on alfalfa flowers and crops, the same crops used for horse and cattle feed, and when the crops are harvested the beetles are often killed in the process, contaminating the crops with their body parts and fluids and causing illness in the horses that eat the contaminated feed ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_blister_beetle_poisoning#comments Digestive Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:12:41 +0000 3739 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_hyperlipemia  
Hyperlipemia is a blood disorder that occurs in overweight horses, as well as some donkeys. Horses with this condition have an abnormally high amount of fat in their blood. And although it only affects a small percentage of the world's equine population, Hyperlipemia is a very serious disorder that has a high rate of mortality among those affected. For this reason, it is important to know the symptoms of this condition, so that you may seek immediate veterinary care for your horse if it is suspected of having Hyperlipemia.
 
Symptoms
 

Lethargy ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_hyperlipemia#comments Cardiovascular Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:11:26 +0000 617 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_atresia_ani  
Atresia ani is a rare congenital condition in which a foal is born without an anus. It also may cause part or all of the rectum to be missing. This condition can vary in severity. Surgery is the only option for foals born with this condition and the outcome depends on how badly the foal’s gastrointestinal tract is affected.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
Foals with this condition display signs such as:
 

Colic-like symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain)
Straining to pass a bowel movement
Swelling of space where anus sho ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_atresia_ani#comments Digestive Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:16:00 +0000 345 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/neurological/c_hr_protozoal_myoencephalitis  
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, or EPM for short, is a disease that affects a horse's nervous system, commonly displayed as incoordination of the limbs, muscle atrophy, or lameness. EPM appears to be a condition strictly located in the western hemisphere. EPM is a serious disease but signs can sometimes develop slowly and be difficult to recognize. However, once diagnosed, this disease should be treated as soon as possible to prevent further neurological damage.
 
Symptoms
 
Since EPM is a neurologic disease, affected horses will di ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/neurological/c_hr_protozoal_myoencephalitis#comments Neurological Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:50:59 +0000 565 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_fractures  
Treating fractures in horses used to be quite difficult, and for that reason most afflicted horses were euthanized. Fortunately, as time has progressed so has technology, making it easier to treat these types of cases.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
The symptoms of a fracture are dependent on the area of the fracture; among them:

Severe pain in or around the fracture
Swelling in the affected area
Strange posturing
Lifting the affected leg off the ground
Strange angle of affected leg
...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_fractures#comments Musculoskeletal Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:31:58 +0000 432 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_bruising  
Bruising is not normally a serious issue, although frequent and easy bruising may indicate a bigger problem with your horse’s health. In most cases, there is no need to even see a veterinarian when yo ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_bruising#comments Skin Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:42:59 +0000 751 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/neurological/c_hr_cerebella_hypoplasia  
Cerebella Abiotrophy is a degenerative disease affecting the cerebellum region of a horse's brain. It is generally associated with purebred Arab horses or those which have Arab blood. Very little is currently known about the disease, although veterinarians do know the disease affects cells in the cerebellum, causing loss of motor function and incoordination in horses.
 
Symptoms
 
Symptoms will first appear minor, usually just a slight loss of balance. Things will then become progressively worse and the horse's gait may become higher and m ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/neurological/c_hr_cerebella_hypoplasia#comments Neurological Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:53:32 +0000 752 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_coital_exanthema  
Sometimes referred to as genital horse pox, equine coital exanthema is a sexually transmissible disease in horses caused by a herpes virus. Typically, this disease is transferred from horse to horse through sexual contact, but it can also be transferred through unsanitary medical practices, such as when a veterinarian examines multiple horses without changing the examination gloves or instruments between patients. It is for this reason that even horses that have not yet been bred can acquire the virus.
 
Response is based on the symptoms and relieving the hors ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_coital_exanthema#comments Reproductive Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:42:49 +0000 11969 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_equine_colic  
Equine colic is a relatively common disorder of the digestive system. Although the term colic, in the true definition of the word, simply means “abdominal pain,” the term in horses refers to a condition of severe abdominal discomfort characterized by pawing, rolling, and sometimes the inability to defecate.
 
There are a handful of different types of colic, depending on the cause of the condition. There is also a spectrum of severity in this condition; oftentimes a horse may have a mild bout of abdominal pain that resolves with a single dose of medicati ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_equine_colic#comments Digestive Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:07:48 +0000 5438 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/genetic/c_hr_combined_immunodeficiency_disease Combined immunodeficiency disease, or equine CID, as it is commonly called, is a deficiency of the immune system, a known genetic disorder that is found in young Arabian foals. It may also be found in horses that have been crossbred with Arabians.
 
In most cases, foals that are born with this genetic disorder appear and behave normally at birth. Their immune systems function normally for about six to eight weeks, but around the second month of life, the symptoms of CID begin to become apparent. The horse may begin to develop illnesses that are not curable through normal treatme ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/genetic/c_hr_combined_immunodeficiency_disease#comments Genetic Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:15:05 +0000 11903 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_constipation  
In some cases, however, constipation can be prolonged and can lead to severe health problems. Constipation usually occurs as the result of some other illness or con ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_constipation#comments Digestive Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:48:33 +0000 11905 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_contagious_equine_metritis  
Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is an extremely contagious venereal disease that is acquired through genital contact with an infected partner, or through the birth canal of an infected mare. While this disease can be can be carried by either mares or stallions, it is the mare that suffers the ill effects of the infection. Stallions do not show any symptoms of CEM, but mares often will have a thick discharge from the vagina, and will be unable to conceive during the point at which the infection is active.
 
This is generally a non-let ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_contagious_equine_metritis#comments Reproductive Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:30:32 +0000 11908 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_contracted_tendons  
Contracted tendons refers to a condition that is typically seen in very young foals or yearlings. It often occurs as a result of the bones in the leg growing faster than the tendons can grow with them, stretching the tendons taut so that the hoof is lifted partially away from the ground (in contrast to the name given, as it is not believed that the tendons actually contract). However, it can also be a condition that is present at birth, genetically acquired, and is apparent by the second or third day after birth, when it becomes clear that the foal is unab ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_contracted_tendons#comments Musculoskeletal Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:05:27 +0000 11909 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/eyes/c_hr_corneal_ulcer  
Corneal ulcers -- injuries to the transparent outer coating of the eye -- are usually the outcome of some type of trauma to the eye. It may have come about as the result of running into something, violent contact with another horse, a foreign object entering the eye, fungus or bacteria in the surrounding environment, and harsh dust entering the eyes. All of these can be considered traumatic incidents. A less severe type of injury to the cornea, an abrasion, may heal itself, but it can also be deeper than it appears on the surface, or it may become infected ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/eyes/c_hr_corneal_ulcer#comments Eyes Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:09:00 +0000 11911 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_corns  
Corns are very similar to what they are in humans when they occur in horses, but since the foot is built differently it is important to note that corns are different as well. In the equine context, corns are bruises that can appear on the sole of the foot, on the angle of the foot, or on the heel of the foot.
 
While it may not seem like it would be that big of a deal, corns can be very painful and uncomfortable, to say the least. If left untreated for long enough, they can create chronic lameness in even the healthiest of horses, causing them to r ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_corns#comments Skin Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:40:34 +0000 11943 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_cracked_heels Horses that spend a great deal of time in wet, clammy conditions may develop cracked heels. It is characterized by soreness and inflammation of the horse's heel, followed by the development of a sticky substance on its heel and the surrounding skin. After time, this sticky serum dries into a painful scab, which then cracks. It is excruciatingly painful for the horse and occurs on its pastern and fetlock.
 
Symptoms
 

Foot soreness and pain
Inflammation or swelling of foot area
Sticky material on skin surface
Lesions ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_cracked_heels#comments Musculoskeletal Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:36:26 +0000 598 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/behavioral/c_hr_crib_biting  
Crib biting, or cribbing, while not a sickness, is a type of behavior that can be very destructive. Just as humans and other animals exhibit obsessive behavior that is non-lethal but still destructive, horses too will exhibit repetitive and habitual behaviors that are difficult to control.
 
Crib biting is recognizable by the way in which a horse will grab at something with its front teeth and pull at it, repetitively, with seemingly no other purpose except to fulfill an urge to do so. It is not usually related to nutritional disorders or u ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/behavioral/c_hr_crib_biting#comments Behavioral Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:29:47 +0000 11946 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_curb  
Curb is commonly found condition in highly active horse and is distinguished by swelling in the plantar ligament, the long band of tissue that runs down the lower part of the back of the hind leg, or hock, connecting the bones of the leg and hoof and stabilizing the leg. When this area of the leg becomes inflamed, the horse is said to have “thrown a curb.” The condition is due to a series of traumas to the soft tissue of the distal plantar hock.
 
Curbing is frequently seen in younger horses, often occurring spontaneously and without o ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_curb#comments Musculoskeletal Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:21:37 +0000 11952 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/endocrine/c_hr_cushings_syndrome  
Equine Cushing’s disease occurs when a tumor called a pituitary adenoma develops in the pituitary gland. As this tumor slowly grows, it sends inappropriate signals to the rest of the body to secrete excessive hormones — primarily a stress hormone called cortisol. Too much cortisol can affect the body negatively in many different ways. This disease in horses is similar to Cushing's disease in humans and in dogs.
 
Cushing's disease is predominantly diagnosed in horses over seven years of age. ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/endocrine/c_hr_cushings_syndrome#comments Endocrine Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:12:55 +0000 5439 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/urinary/c_hr_cystitis  
Symptoms and Types
 

Increase in the frequency of urination
Poor production of urine
Painful or uncomfortable urination
...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/urinary/c_hr_cystitis#comments Urinary Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:38:31 +0000 11962 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_cysts  
Symptoms and Types
 

Swelling at the surface of the skin
Swelling at the bottom of the ear ( ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_cysts#comments Skin Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:50:59 +0000 11963 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_diarrhea Sometimes called scouring, diarrhea happens to all living creatures and it is never pretty. Diarrhea is not in itself a disease but instead a symptom of many diseases, recognized when a horse's waste becomes less solid, and is more runny or even liquid in appearance. There are certain instances in which a bit of diarrhea is normal, such as a sudden change of environment or feed, however, long bouts -- those that persist more than a few days -- or severe forms of diarrhea is not normal and require veterinary assistance.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
There are many types of diarr ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_diarrhea#comments Digestive Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:28:08 +0000 599 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_intestinal_clostridiosis  
Intestinal clostridiosis is a disease which causes severe diarrhea in horses. It was not made official or researched much until the 1970s, when Swedish and American workers came across the disease and gave it its name. Intestinal clostridiosis is mainly associated with horses under a great deal of stress due to antibiotic treatments or a recent surgery. But being that the disease can affect horses of all types, ages and health conditions, it is important to be aware of its symptoms
 
Symptoms
 
A horse with intestinal clostridiosis will be reluct ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_intestinal_clostridiosis#comments Digestive Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:21:29 +0000 619 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/behavioral/c_hr_copraphagy  
Copraphagy, by definition, is simply the act of eating dung, or feces. Usually seen in young foals, copraphagy (or dirt-eating, as it is commonly called) is generally regarded as a completely normal behavior. In most cases, copraphagy is a harmless behavior that wears off as the foal gets older. There are many theories as to why young foals are inclined to do so, the primary one being that the dung contains bacteria that is necessary for coating the young horse’s stomach and promoting healthy digestion.
 
In some instances, this behavior does not subs ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/behavioral/c_hr_copraphagy#comments Behavioral Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:25:59 +0000 11910 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_arthritis  
Arthritis, often called degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a condition that afflicts many horses. Arthritis is not only painful, but makes it difficult for a hors to move about. The condition is characterized by acute pain and swelling of the joints, many times resulting from an infection.
 
Left untreated, arthritis can cause your horse to lead a painful and miserable life, so proper diagnosis and treatment by a veterinarian is vital.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
1. Acute (rapid onset and/or short course) arthritis

]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_arthritis#comments Musculoskeletal Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:28:40 +0000 295 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_equine_herpes_virus The herpes virus, much like in humans, affects horses. There are five known subtypes in horses, but Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) and EHV-4 are the two severest forms of the virus. EHV-3 is another type of major herpes virus, although it is normally associated with coital exanthema, a venereal disease that can be transmitted to horses.
 
The different classifications of equine herpes virus affect different systems; one affects the reproductive and neurological systems, whereas another causes respiratory issues. The virus type will also determine the symptoms the horse displays.
...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_equine_herpes_virus#comments Reproductive Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:12:56 +0000 602 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/endocrine/c_hr_equine_infectious_anemia Sometimes referred to as horse malaria or swamp fever, Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a virus that does what its name suggests -- causes anemia in horses. EIA has become an endemic in certain parts of the world, but is concentrated in North and South America, the Middle East, Russia, South Africa, and certain parts of Europe.
 
Symptoms
 

Anemia
Lethargy
Weight loss
Fever
Enlarged spleen
Swollen belly and legs
Laziness
Depression
Decreased athle ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/endocrine/c_hr_equine_infectious_anemia#comments Endocrine Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:44:04 +0000 603 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/eyes/c_hr_entropion  
Entropion is a condition of the eye that is known to affect newly born foals, causing their eyelids to fold inward and press against their cornea. Entropion may be found in one or both of the horse's eyes, leading to extreme irritation and “runny,” watery eyes, similar to conjunctivitis. If it is not treated quickly, it may also lead to acute conjunctivitis.
 
Symptoms
 
A horse with entropion will have irritated or red eye(s) and the horse's cornea -- the transparent front of the eye -- may change to a grayish color.
 
Causes
&nbs ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/eyes/c_hr_entropion#comments Eyes Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:05:13 +0000 601 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_botulism   
Botulism is a serious paralytic illness caused by the toxin, botulin. It is normally associated with the ingestion of spoiled food while grazing, and is commonly called forage poisoning or clostridial disease. It takes about four to five days after eating the spoiled forage for symptoms to appear, but once they begin symptoms such as muscle failure or eating, breathing and swallowing difficulties are recognizable.
 
Horses are the most sensitive of the domesticated animals to be affected by botulism, and if left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
 
Sympt ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_botulism#comments Digestive Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:55:36 +0000 350 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/respiratory/c_hr_head_shaking If you are familiar with horses, then you probably know of their head-shaking behavior. Signs of head shaking can range from simple switches to frantic jerking of the head and neck. Meanwhile, the usual factors for the condition include ear mites, rhinitis, or middle ear disease. In some cases, head shaking can be a cause of worry; in other cases, it is nothing serious. In order to be sure, visit a veterinarian so that they may identify the underlying cause.
 
Symptoms
 
Horses with head shaking typically display "normal" behavior within the stable, only showing ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/respiratory/c_hr_head_shaking#comments Behavioral Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:19:17 +0000 5440 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/endocrine/c_hr_hernia  
A hernia is one of many afflictions that can affect foals during birth. There are two types of hernia that a foal can suffer from, both of which may go by unnoticed until they have grown a bit more. They are caused by some type of defect in the wall of the abdomen, either affecting the umbilical area or the inguinal canal -- a passage in the anterior abdominal wall. This is a congenital defect, one that should be repaired as soon as possible, as it poses a host of health problems for the horse.
 
Symptoms and Types
 

Umbilical Hernia
...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/endocrine/c_hr_hernia#comments Endocrine Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:38:34 +0000 615 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/respiratory/c_hr_inflammatory_airway Inflammatory Airway Disease (or IAD) is a severe respiratory condition that affects horses of all types, including race, show or work horses. However, horses that spend most of their time in a stable are most prone to contracting IAD. 
 
Symptoms
 
Horses with IAD may appear otherwise normal, but have slight loss in performance or energy. Excessive coughing, nasal discharge and large amounts of mucus in the airway are also noticed in horses with IAD.
 
Causes
 
The cause of Inflammatory Airway Disease is unknown. There is no single issue that has been k ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/respiratory/c_hr_inflammatory_airway#comments Respiratory Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:54:58 +0000 618 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_aural_plaque  
Also called aural papilloma, aural plaque is a condition affecting the inside of a horse’s ear. A white, plaque-like material, it sometimes appears thick and crusty. In most cases, there is tender pink skin underneath the plaque. It is a rather painful condition that should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Once aural plaque begins, it is tough to get rid of permanently.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
These are some signs which can be seen in the horse's inner ear:


White, crusty plaque


Lesion ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_aural_plaque#comments Skin Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:31:01 +0000 346 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_endotoxemia  
The presence of endotoxins in the blood is referred to as Endotoxemia. These toxins are generally due to the presence of certain types of bacteria in the horse's gut. If not treated promptly and quickly, Endotoxemia can lead to shock, coma, or even death.
 
Symptoms
 
As previously stated, Endotoxemia may lead to coma or shock, more specifically endotoxic shock. The horse may also be excessively thirsty and abnormally slurp or suck water through its lips while drinking. Some other symptoms for this condition include:
 

Depression
...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_endotoxemia#comments Digestive Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:45:32 +0000 600 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/urinary/c_hr_nephritis  
Nephritis, inflammation of the kidneys, is relatively rare overall in the equine population. In most cases, nephritis does not affect adult horses, as their immune systems are strong enough to resist such an infection. This disease usually affects young foals.
 
Nephritis is characterized by a severe kidney infection and a high body temperature. Because the kidney often continues to function sufficiently, many of the other symptoms might go unnoticed for some time. Indeed, nephritis may not become fully apparent until it has reached a severe and life-threate ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/urinary/c_hr_nephritis#comments Urinary Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:08:20 +0000 11968 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_hyperkalemic_period_paralysis  
Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) is a type of muscle disorder that is normally found in the American Quarter Horse breed. Initially, the disease seems has similar symptoms to other muscular disorders, but it is actually very different and is caused by a variety of factors. Anyone who owns a horse of the American Quarter breed -- or a horse that has been crossbred with the American Quarter -- should know what HYPP is and how to recognize it in order to seek immediate veterinary care.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
Because HYPP affects the mus ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_hyperkalemic_period_paralysis#comments Musculoskeletal Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:50:47 +0000 616 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_polysaccharide_storage  
Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM) is an illness that affects the skeletal and muscular systems in many of the stockier horse breeds. Among those breeds affected are the American Quarter and Paint horses, as well as Warm Bloods and any horse that is cross-bred with the aforementioned breeds. Generally, the heavier the horse is, the more serious the condition is. EPSM is also more likely to affect mares than male horses.
 
Symptoms
 
A horse with EPSM will usually avoid exercise, lay down frequently, and be reluctant to mo ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_polysaccharide_storage#comments Musculoskeletal Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:56:45 +0000 604 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/nose/c_hr_bleeder  
The word “bleeder” is used to describe a horse that bleeds from the nostrils during or after a period of hard work. This can be frightening for any horse owner, especially those who have never had a bleeder horse or heard of one before. The amount of blood varies a great deal from case to case, from just a small amount to a gushing of blood that may be life threatening.
 
Symptoms and Types
 

Blood in one or both nostrils

 
Causes
 

Bleeding from the lung (pulmonary hemorrhage) due to exhaustive w ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/nose/c_hr_bleeder#comments Respiratory Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:35:57 +0000 347 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/eyes/c_hr_conjunctivitis   
Much like humans, horses can contract conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. It may due to several factors such as a dusty environment, an illness, or a viral or bacterial organism infecting the eye. It is also highly infectious.
 
Conjunctivitis is normally associated with a clear or yellow discharge in the eye. It may or may not contain mucous. At the same time, itching and irritation are also clear signs of the beginnings of conjunctivitis and these symptoms may appear before others symptoms arrive.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/eyes/c_hr_conjunctivitis#comments Eyes Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:29:33 +0000 11904 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_aflatoxin_poisoning  
There are a lot of different types of plants that have proven to be toxic to horses, and while many horse owners do take the time to research the various poisonous plants so that they can take steps to protect their horses, there are certain chemicals that have also proven to be toxic to horses. Aflatoxins are one of many different types of chemicals that have proven to be toxic to horses, and they can come in many forms. Usually produced by a type of fungus called Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxins have been found in several differen ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_aflatoxin_poisoning#comments Digestive Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:26:51 +0000 7164 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_abortion  
It is not uncommon for horses to experience spontaneous abortions (miscarriages). A variety of medical reasons can cause this reaction, many of which depend on the gestational stage of the horse. In mares, abortion is defined as the failure of the fetus before it reaches the 300-day gestation period; anything after that period is considered to be an early delivery of the foal.
 
The normal gestation period for a healthy mare is 340 days. Any birth of a live or dead foal after 200 days is considered an early parturition.
 
Symptoms
 

]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_abortion#comments Reproductive Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:16:35 +0000 750 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/mouth/c_hr_dental_cap  
From the first to fourth years of life, the permanent teeth begin to grow in, but in order for them to grow in normally, the deciduous teeth, called caps, must shed. A failure of the caps to shed can result in the permanent teeth growing in at an abnormal angle, uneven surfaces of the teeth opposite to the unshed cap, or failure of the permanent tooth to grow in at all. 
 
If your horse is showing any symptoms of dental problems, such as difficulty eating, unexplained behavioral problems or head tossing, have the horse examined b ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/mouth/c_hr_dental_cap#comments Mouth Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:57:46 +0000 11967 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_epiphysitis  
Epiphysitis, also known as equine rickets, is a condition of the bones that occurs in horses and is recognized by a slight lameness in the animal. It usually affects the longer bones, occurring when joints, such as the knee joint, become enlarged. While there are several theories as to where this comes from, the most respected one is that it is caused by the overfeeding of young horses.
 
When a young horse is fed on a high plane of nutrition, or a high caloric diet, its metabolism becomes unbalanced, sometimes causing growth issues like rickets on the sma ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_epiphysitis#comments Musculoskeletal Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:24:24 +0000 352 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_boil  
A boil, the result of an infection in the skin, is similar to an abscess. It starts out as a small bump and grows over time to become a larger boil that may seep puss. Eventually, a boil will scab over.
 
Boils are very painful and can even cause temporary lameness in some horses. It is important to locate and treat boils as soon as possible to prevent the spread of infection.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
The signs for a boil are fairly easy to recognize and include:
 

Lesion(s) on the skin
A break in the skin
A smal ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/skin/c_hr_boil#comments Skin Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:40:31 +0000 348 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/cancer/c_hr_equine_sarcoid  
A sarcoid is a skin tumor found on the skin of horses, donkeys, and mules. It is is generally non-cancerous (benign) and non-life-threatening and looks like a thickened and bleeding area (ulceration) that may crust over as it heals. Other skin lesions, such as the equine papilloma, can be confused for sarcoids. However, the papilloma will go away on its own over time, while the sarcoid will rarely regress.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
Sarcoids can come in many different varieties -- from a small singular growth to a large wart-like grouping (pedunculated) to a m ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/cancer/c_hr_equine_sarcoid#comments Cancer Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:16:07 +0000 10292 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_ankylosis_joints  
Ankylosis is a chronic condition that causes the horse's joints to lock up. When a joint ankyloses (locks up), it is unable to flex or extend, and it doesn’t matter how old the horse is. It often seems to come from nowhere, and is very devastating for a working horse.
 
Symptoms and Types
 

Stiffness in muscles and joints
Inability to move joints

 
Causes
 

Extended periods of immobility
Abnormal fusion of bones
Surgery
Trauma to the joi ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_ankylosis_joints#comments Musculoskeletal Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:46:40 +0000 276 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/respiratory/c_hr_equine_influenza  
Sometimes referred to as the horse flu, equine influenza is one of the most widespread horse afflictions in the world. Targeting the horse's respiratory system, the influenza virus damages the lining and mucous membranes in the animal's respiratory tract in a rather short period of time. And though it affects horses of all health types, those most at risk are weaker or younger horses, especially those which are housed in poorly ventilated, closed quarters with other horses.
 
Once in the animal's nose, the horse flu incubates for a period of between three to fi ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/respiratory/c_hr_equine_influenza#comments Respiratory Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:45:36 +0000 564 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/neurological/c_hr_brain_trauma   
Brain trauma, concussions and other brain injuries are common among horses, especially when more than one horse occupies a space or stable. It generally occurs because the horse accidentally hits it head on an object, although some common causes are running into a post, another horse, or even get hit by a car.
 
Symptoms and Types
 
Symptoms vary depending on how extensive the trauma to the brain, including:
 

Confusion
Poor coordination
Unsteadiness on foot
Dullness in the eyes
< ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/neurological/c_hr_brain_trauma#comments Neurological Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:00:57 +0000 351 at http://www.petmd.com http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_cryptorchidism  
Cryptorchidism occurs only in male horses – for obvious reasons. It is characterized by the failure of one or both of the testicles to drop down from the abdominal cavity after birth. It can affect any male horse, and is suspected to be an inherited condition.
 
Cryptorchidism is not apparent at birth, as the testes do not drop from the abdominal space, through the inguinal canal and ring and into the scrotum – where they remain – until around two weeks of age. In some cases, the testes appear normal, and the stallion will behave in a ...read more]]> http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/reproductive/c_hr_cryptorchidism#comments Reproductive Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:53:46 +0000 11948 at http://www.petmd.com