Equine Matters - Autumn/Winter 2017

XLVets Equine member practices 608 Farm & Equine Veterinary Surgeons Ashbrook Equine Hospital Belmont Farm and Equine Vets Ltd Bishopton Veterinary Group Buckingham Equine Vets Calweton Veterinary Group Capontree Veterinary Centre Cedar Veterinary Group Chapelfield Veterinary Partnership Cliffe Veterinary Group Clyde Veterinary Group Donald S McGregor & Partners Durham Equine Practice Endell Veterinary Group Fellowes Farm Equine Clinic Fenwold Veterinary Group Glenthorne Veterinary Group Hook Norton Veterinary Group Kernow Veterinary Group Ltd Larkmead Veterinary Group Midshire Veterinary Group Limited Millcroft Veterinary Group Northvet Veterinary Group North West Equine Vets Ltd Paragon Veterinary Group Parklands Veterinary Group Penbode Equine Vets Rosevean Veterinary Practice Seadown Veterinary Group Scarsdale Veterinary Group Scott Mitchell Associates St Boniface Veterinary Clinic Torch Equine Vets Wright & Morten Veterinary Surgeons XLVets Equine is a novel and exciting initiative conceived from within the veterinary profession. We are all independently owned, progressive veterinary practices located throughout the United Kingdom committed to working together for the benefit of our clients. C O N T E N T S Equine Matters is published by: XLVet UK Ltd, Carlisle House Townhead Road, Dalston Carlisle CA5 7JF Tel: (01228) 711788 *This publication is supplied free of charge to equine clients of XLVets member practices. © XLVet UK Ltd No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. Disclaimer: XLVets does not necessarily share the views of contributors. No responsibility can be accepted for opinions expressed by contributors, or claims made by advertisers within this publication. F ROM THE ED I TOR Welcome to the ‘Autumn/Winter’ edition of EquineMatters... ...produced by XLVets Equine practices. With the dark nights drawing in and storms Ophelia and Brian to keep us company, it’s already feeling rather like winter is here! This issue has a mix of topics and something to appeal to everyone. Winter often brings coughs and sneezes and in this issue Colin Mitchell takes us through some of the different conditions that can affect your horse's respiratory system. Older horses may also find winter a more difficult time so hopefully some information on their care from Kate Chessman will prove useful over the coming months and beyond. Lastly, I’d also like welcome our guest editor, Sally Hodgson from Hook Norton Veterinary Group. AUTUMN/WINTER EDITION CONTENTS 03 Assessment of heart disease in horses - Dr Keesjan Cornelisse from Calweton Equine explains the symptoms and diagnosis of common conditions of the equine heart. 06 Donkey health - not just a small horse! Rachel Pretswell, Northvet Veterinary Group, provides some useful advice on keeping your donkey healthy. 09 How can I keep infectious diseases out of my yard ? Dr Kieran O’Brien from Penbode Equine offers advice on how to control some of the diseases that new arrivals can bring into your yard. 11 Common causes of respiratory disease and nasal discharge - Colin Mitchell of Scott Mitchell & Associates explains the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and effects of equine respiratory disease. Susan Donaldson BVMS CertAVP(EM) CertAVP(ESM) MRCVS Clyde Veterinary Group 13 What is sacro-iliac disease ? David Rutherford, Fellowes Farm Equine, provides insight into a disease that is can be difficult to diagnose and treat. 16 Care of the older horse Kate Chessman from Midshire Farm & Equine highlights some key health aspects to be considered as your horse grows older. 19 Acupuncture in horses Dr Stuart Thorne of Fellowes Farm Equine explains how acupuncture works and some of its uses. 20 Happy ending - Seeing clearly Kyle Tindall-Read, Durham Equine Practice, describes the case of the donkey with the sore eye.