Seizures are characterized by uncontrolled muscle movement and spasming, which may affect a horse’s entire body or be localized to a smaller group of muscles. Seizures are rare in horses, but have a variety of causes including injuries, infections, toxicoses, metabolic imbalances, or disorders affecting the brain.
· 3 min readSquinting or excessive blinking is the motion or position of the eyelid over the eye to protect against pain or irritation. In horses causes of pain or irritation to the eye include injuries, infections, and environmental irritants.
· 4 min readStraining to urinate (stranguria) describes when horses require an abnormally high degree of effort to void the bladder of urine.
· 2 min readJoint swelling is a common symptom in horses and has a variety of causes.
· 2 min readA swollen umbilicus describes the presence of an enlarged umbilical stump in newborn foals. Depending on the underlying cause, the swelling can feel soft and fluid-like, hard and warm, or may be accompanied by other symptoms.
· 3 min readSwollen legs, sometimes referred to as “stocking up,” are a noticeable increase in the size of the legs, giving affected horses the appearance of a “fat leg”. If leg swelling is accompanied with pain, heat, or lameness, it requires emergency veterinary attention.
· 2 min read