Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 28th August 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Main cause of lameness - limbs not feet
Horse foot being examined
Josh Slater, RVC , said the lameness findings were "initially surprising" as the foot has generally been considered the main problem area.

Latest NEHS identifies top equine health issues
 
Lameness is three times more likely to be caused by a problem in the limb than the foot, according to the results of the latest National Equine Health Survey (NEHS).

This year, 18 per cent of horses were recorded as lame. Of these, less than 5 per cent were caused by foot problems. Meanwhile, 13.5 per cent were said to be caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease.

These findings echo those from previous years, which according to the RVC's Josh Slater, suggests the NEHS is now producing evidence, rather than opinion.

"While the lameness figures were initially surprising, given that the foot has been generally regarded as the main problem area, the fact that these figures have remained consistent over the past three years gives constructive credibility to the data."

Blue Cross runs the NEHS each May, in partnership with the BEVA. This year, records were returned for nearly 15,000 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules - a rise of 35 per cent compared to last year.

The findings revealed the top six health issues affecting UK horses:
1. Lameness - 18 per cent of horses
2. Skin diseases (sweet itch, mud fever and external parasites) - 17.2 per cent
3. Back problems - 7 per cent
4. Recurrent airway obstruction - 6.7 per cent
5. Laminitis - 6.4 per cent
6. PPID (equine Cushing's disease) - 6.4 per cent confirmed or suspected

In addition, nearly a quarter (23.2 per cent) of horses were recorded as overweight, with a body condition score of between 3.5 and 5. This continues the upward trend seen in previous years (16.9 per cent last year and 7.8 per cent in 2013).

Next year, the survey will look at the links between obesity and the rise of obesity-related diseases such as equine metabolic syndrome and laminitis.

New questions will also be added on gastric ulcer syndrome, after 11 per cent of the free text answers submitted this year mentioned the condition.

Full survey results for NEHS 2015 can be found here: http://www.bluecross.org.uk/nehs2015results

Image courtesy of Blue Cross

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.