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Ask the Expert: Judith Shoemaker, DVM
Read Advice from a Renowned Veterinarian - Dr. Judith Shoemaker Below
DISCLAIMER: Ask The Expert is provided as a service for informational purposes only and is not intended as an endorsement of any product or as a prescription towards any condition. Ask The Expert is not intended to be a substitute for visits to your local veterinarian or other equine expert but rather the information contained within is the sole opinion of Ask The Expert. Answers given by Ask The Expert are not intended to treat or diagnose but rather as a general source of information about animal health care. |
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Q: |
Dr. Shoemaker, I've recently used a herbal wormer on my horse which is
designed to expel the worms rather than kill them off. A large number have
been found in her fecal sample - stronglyes - so I am assuming it is
working. However, she had a mild colic episode about 10 days after
completing the worming round (it's a 10 day protocol). I am going to re-do
the round but would like to know if there is anything I can do to prevent
another mild colic if there is a lot of die off. It could be that the colic
was not precipitated by the worming but severe weather changes. However, I
want to do what I can.
Question submitted by Keria Rossin |
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Dear Keria,
I need some clarification, was a high strongyle count reported by a regular fecal exam? If so, this does not indicate that she is clearing the worms, but that the large number of adult worms in her gut are producing large numbers of eggs that are contaminating your pastures and endangering her and others with a new heavy infestation of larvae that will do their tissue migratory damage before they will ever be affected by a vermifuge program. Flushing the worms out does not stop the damage done by the prior migrating larval stages, which may be what caused your horse to colic. Pasture management and targeted worming instead of mass dosing can, without using as much wormer or causing as much resistance in the worms.
80% of a herd worm problem in a herd is caused by about 20% of the horses, and fecals can determine which these are. These animals with high fecal egg counts should be wormed with sufficient doses of an effective larvicidal wormer, separated from the pastures briefly until they stop shedding, and should be checked frequently. Others in the herd should also be checked regularly, but if their counts remain low they may be maintained with herbal programs and only wormed with conventional wormers once or twice a year, (but more if needed to keep them low.) The goal is to keep pastures managed to minimize worm burdens there first, and to allow the low level infested horses to maintain immunity and to harbor populations of worms that will be less resistant to drugs due to lower exposure.
Regrettably, a horse with high fecal egg counts must be more heavily treated for the good of all. They may have higher counts due to less resistance and therefore are at greater risk for more internal damage as well. Probably the only time a colic might be caused by worms IN the gut being cleared is with a heavy tape, round worm, or bot infestation causing obstruction. Colic from strongyle infestation is from potentially permanent damage to the blood supply to the gut. Don't let that happen to your horse in the name of being more "natural." It would be "natural" for these horses to die!
There are several ways to deal with colic, but that is after the damage is done! I would recommend that you use a 5 day Panacur larvicidal dosing on your mare after consulting with your vet, and watch her very carefully. Herbal vermifuges can be just as dangerous as conventional drugs in certain individuals, they are chemicals also! I would consult with your vet or with pasture management experts in your area for further suggestions and use herbals to enhance your herds immunity and augment, not replace, an accurate, targeted judiciously applied worming program.
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Q: |
I have a 10 yr warmbld gelding about 1400 lbs who was recently diagnosed with agressive arthritis in his hocks. The vet discussed pain management as the next step. Joint injection Depo-Medrol-40mg 5ml as well as well as HA-2ml. He injected the worst side 6 mo ago and now recommends routine maintenance. The same meds. I have the horse on a vit supplement with joint support. Platinum product. The horse is border line sound with light work. I can feel the stiffness but not visably off.
The other ? is last spring he developed headshaker symptoms that subsided with winter. They are so slight on coming with the longer days.
What ideas do you have? I love the idea of complementry medicine and budget minded ideas first!
Question submitted by Chyrise Broyer |
| A: |
Believe it or not your two problems may be associated! The aggressive arthritic change may be associated with immune mediated problems that are perhaps also resulting in the mild trigeminal neuralgia. The location of your horse's arthritis has to do with the way he is standing and using himself, and his possibly excessive weight. His posture can be dramatically changed to relieve his hocks using shoeing, dentistry, chiropractic, and acupuncture. The reduction in postural stress is also important in the treatment of the headshaking, as any stress can exaggerate immune reactions. Continuing to inject his hocks with steroids without correcting the postural cause will provide pain control but allow continued deterioration even with the inclusion of the HA. The supplement your are using is an excellent one, but the more than normal wear and tear plus the inflammatory response in the system is more than the healing mechanism can overcome. Equilite's product Equinacea can help to modify the immune reaction for the headshaking and also may help systemically enough to aid the joints as well. A specific program for the headshaking using homeopathics can be arranged for through your local holistic veterinarian or with a program called CAPSTAR. Many other factors including feed, turnout, vaccines, etc. can have an impact on these conditions. If these problems are addressed accurately, rather remarkable recovery is possible. As far as budget, the costs must be considered in terms of the deterioration of the horse, as well as the cost of the treatment. Proper care may be pricey but well worth it for your horse's comfort and the extended useful life provided. |
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Q: |
I have a 12 yo Quarter Horse mare with arthritis (and also
insulin resistant). Keeping her off the spring grass complicates the
management of arthritis. I understand Devil's Claw is recommended. I can
buy the herb less expensively from a trusted source (Mountain Rose Herbs)
than a prepared herbal supplement such as Wendals. Problem is, I don't know
how much herb to give for the desired result. Can you help?
Question submitted by Sheryl Lloyd |
| A: |
The arthritis and the immune stimulation that may be making her insulin resistant could be due to other causes. Make sure to have her checked for Lyme disease and that her thyroid function is normal. The Devil's Claw is an excellent anti-inflammatory and pain reducer. However, I would recommend a balanced combination of ingredients such as Equilite's Ani-Motion, or the Wendall's herbs. They are often more effective than the single ingredient. Keeping her weight down, and making sure that she MOVES, even though she can't be turned out is very important; in addition to proper shoeing for balance and ease of movement. |
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Q: |
I have a mini horse over 21 years old who has founder history and cushings. Any suggestions? Also, can you recommend anything for pain after farrier visits? I feed farnam brand mini horse feed pellets and hay. Can you suggest supplements?
Question submitted by Terry Starnes |
| A: |
Of course, your veterinarian can help with specific advice on medications for your horse's condition depending on the severity of signs and the cause. It's always important to know if he is hypothyroid and needs medication for it, and if his signs will be improved by the prescription drug Pergolide. For his discomfort, Equilite's AniMotion can be very helpful, also talk to your vet about Isoxsuprine for several days before and after trimming. And consider radiographs to help your farrier be absolutely accurate in getting his breakover back to the area below the tip of his coffin bone. Make sure his teeth are well done and consider feeding him low glycemic index hay cubes. If his insulin levels are high there are certain supplements that can help lower them but he must have accurate blood testing to determine if they are appropriate. The most important thing is to get his weight normalized and make his feet comfortable so that he can EXERCISE, which will do the most to normalize his cortisol and insulin levels. |
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Q: |
My horse was diagnosed with lyme disease in Jan.2010.He was
really sick,did'nt respond to the doxy for 9-10 days, but is doing really
well now. How can I support his immune system,will he build immunity from
having the disease? I'm afraid it could happen again.I can try,but I can't
keep ticks away completely.
Question submitted by Jeanne Reed |
| A: |
Lyme disease is nasty stuff but it is best dealt with as you have done, with aggressive treatment and then immune support and modulation. The best quality feeds with low sugar content, appropriate worming-iincluding a 5 day Panacur to control any residual candida overgrowth from the doxycycline treatment and to stimulate the immune system, supplementation of probiotics and prebiotics to support for the gut flora. Depending on the animal, specific immune supplements and Chinese herbals, and homeopathics may be helpful; I use ABC's Lyme Supplement for many, and Equilite's Citrus CQ. In our practice we also treat with Ozone therapy with great results. Tick control is very helpful, best accomplished by mechanical means! Wash horses thoroughly with Head and Shoulders Shampoo and rinse with white vinegar 1/2 cup /gallon of water. Then Show sheen the legs from the elbows and stifles down, the mane and tail and chin thoroughly. Keep feathers trimmed and tails banged off short so there are no "ladders" for the ticks to climb up! Check for ticks daily. Keep horses away from woods edges if possible. There's not much grass there anyway! |
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Q: |
I have a 12 year old paint (all white now) that has developed a few small bumps under his tail, around his anus. The largest is the size of a pea. I understand this is probably melanoma. Is there something I can do to help this situation? Thank you for your help.
Question submitted by Dominique Bracht |
| A: |
Dear Dominique.
Your now all white paint probably had grey spots, with dark skin, and a darker mane and tail, right? So he has the greying gene, which means he doesn't continue to
incorporate melanin pigment into his hair as he ages. Melanoma in grey horses is most commonly found in the area you describe, as well as on the sheath and prepuce, the lips, spreading to the submandibular and parotid lymph nodes, and sometimes areas of previous injury or inflammation. Though we can't be totally sure his bumps are melanomas, we may assume it's probable if they are hard, slow growing, non-painful, bumps in these areas on a grey horse. Minimizing inflammation through good feeds and hay, minimal vaccination and exposure to environmental toxins, and the use of antioxidants such as Equilite's Citrus C/Q can be very helpful. Also, not allowing your horse to be overweight will help slow the growth of these tumors dramatically. There are also several specific herbal preparations for use in controlling melanoma that can significantly reduce the size of these tumors; though which one is right for your horse must be determined by a more thorough examination or description of the animal, the history and the tumor. Surgical removal is not especially effective as the removal of a larger tumor may trigger the growth of others elsewhere. In a healthy horse, the body will control these tumors sufficiently that they don't cause problems even if they continue to increase in size slowly. Often they are not growiing, but just continuing to fill with melanin produced by the cells.
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Q: |
Are there any holistic remedies appropriate for a 13 month old male GSD recently diagosed with congenital renal failure?
Question submitted by Vicki Wooters |
| A: |
A bit more diagnostic information could be useful here, but in general, good nutritional management, reducing stress on the kidneys and helping the liver and gut to do more of the work in clearing toxins can help the smaller amount of kidney tissue that the dog has last lots longer. There are homeopathics and herbal preparations as well as special diets and additives that can help accomplish this. Careful control over anything that could cause illness or antibody protein production such as ticks and fleas, dental disease, vaccination, worming are critical to his well-being and longevity. |
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Q: |
We have a QH-trained for barrel racing. At 1year old we had some pea-sized fatty tumors surgically removed from her dorsal line 1- 3inches behind the withers. The vet elected to not stitch the area but let it heal open. She is now 7years and that area still produces scabbing with noticible sensitivity. Recently another vet prescribed Freezex to numb the area to prevent her bucking. Is there any natural or medical remedy that could be used to promote complete healing of this area after so many years? We raised and trained her but her bucking is DANGEROUS!
Question submitted by Sarah Hall |
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There are many possible reasons for this mare's bucking that should be thoroughly investigated by a qualified practitioner, including chiropractic problems, saddle fit issues, shoeing and dentistry problems, ovarian and uterine problems, etc.. However, if the scar is the problem, a "toxic" scar that blocks Qi flow in acupuncture meridians, or causes a painful restriction in the fascia or skin, then there are alternative treatments that may help.
Acupuncture of the area and treatment to move the Qi through the area can increase blood supply and stop pain. Myofascial release of restrictions, by a qualified practitioner, can help resolve the problem. Topically, Vitamin E oil can be used to soften the scar and reduce inflammation. One of my favorite treatments is an emu oil product (Blue Emu ointment --NOT SPRAY or "SPORT" if it is to be used under the saddle area, menthol may blister), found at the drug store, rubbed in 3 times daily to stop the discomfort and improve blood supply to heal the scar. Homeopathic Thuja and Silicea are remedies appropriate for scarring and can be obtained without a prescription. In addition to evaluation of the above mentioned possible problems, we treat many scars with one or a combination of these, and frequently see, even in very old scars, more normal skin and sometimes hair regrowth, as well as resolution of the avoidance behavior.
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