Equine Lyme disease is a growing concern for horses in North America, especially during the summer months when tick bites are more common. Lyme disease is primarily caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacteria that is carried by ixodid, or hard-bodied, ticks. You may recognize this tick by its more popular name, the black-legged or deer tick (Ixodes scapularis).
Right dorsal colitis (RDC) is a specific type of ulcerative disease in horses localized to the right, upper region of the large intestine. RDC is sometimes referred to as hindgut ulcers. Horses with RDC can show signs of weight loss, diarrhea, lethargy and reoccurring episodes of colic. In many cases, horses affected by hindgut ulcers have received a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in the recent past. Prolonged NSAID use or overuse can cause RDC in horses.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a broad term that describes a group of diseases marked by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract of the horse. Horses with IBD may show outward signs including recurrent colic, diarrhea, weight loss, and low energy levels. IBD in horses is a rare, but severe, inflammatory condition that affects gut permeability and nutrient absorption.
You've probably heard about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, but does this supplement work for horses? Fish oil is often added to diets, both human and animal, as a source of the essential omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
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