Equine Health Library

Comprehensive veterinary encyclopedia covering common diseases, symptoms, and when to call the vet.

Gastrointestinal

Colic

Colic is a broad term indicating abdominal pain in horses. It ranges from mild gas cramps to life-threatening intestinal…

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Hoof & Skeletal

Laminitis

Laminitis is the painful inflammation of the sensitive laminae that bond the hoof wall to the coffin bone. If left untre…

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Hoof & Skeletal

Thrush

Thrush is a common bacterial and fungal infection of the frog region of the hoof, characterized by a foul-smelling, blac…

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Dermatological

Rain Rot

Rain rot (dermatophilosis) is a bacterial skin infection that produces painful, crusty scabs that peel off with tufts of…

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Dermatological

Sweet Itch

Sweet itch is an allergic hypersensitivity reaction to the saliva of biting midges (Culicoides), causing intense itching…

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Respiratory

Equine Influenza

Equine Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus affecting the upper respiratory tract. It spreads rapidly thro…

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Endocrine

Cushing's Disease (PPID)

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), commonly known as Cushing's disease, is a progressive endocrine disorder i…

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Endocrine

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a metabolic disorder characterized by obesity, insulin dysregulation, and an extremel…

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Gastrointestinal

Equine Gastric Ulcers (EGUS)

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is the erosion of the stomach lining caused by prolonged exposure to stomach acid. …

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Hoof & Skeletal

Founder

Founder is the chronic phase of laminitis where structural failure of the laminae allows the coffin bone (P3) to rotate …

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Hoof & Skeletal

Tendon & Ligament Injuries

Tendon and ligament strains or tears (such as bowed tendons of the superficial digital flexor) are serious athletic inju…

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Hoof & Skeletal

Hoof Abscess

A hoof abscess is a localized bacterial infection inside the sensitive structures of the hoof, resulting in trapped pus …

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Gastrointestinal

Choke (Esophageal Obstruction)

Choke in horses is an obstruction of the esophagus (not the windpipe). The horse can still breathe, but cannot swallow, …

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Ophthalmology

Eye Problems & Corneal Ulcers

Eye issues, such as corneal ulcers, uveitis (moon blindness), or conjunctivitis, can escalate rapidly and threaten sight…

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