Diastema and Mud Fever in Horses

Mind the gap! Diastemata are abnormal gaps between horses’ teeth within which food may get trapped (Fig 1). This can be a painful condition in which signs such as halitosis (bad breath), quidding (dropping food), weight loss, gingivitis and biting problems may be present. They may occur both between the incisors as well as between the cheek teeth. Fig 1. Horses or all ages may get diastema between their teeth for a number of reasons. In younger horses insufficient angulation of the cheek teeth can cause gaps to form between the cheek teeth, these are developmental diastema. Older horses may acquire them with age as the teeth grow outwards. Horses have hypsodont teeth, i.e. they continue to erupt throughout their life. Because the teeth taper towards the root, as they erupt small gaps start to appear between adjacent teeth. These gaps that develop with age are called senile diastema. WINTER 2013 What’s in this edition of the newsletter: Open vs closed diastema Diastemata which are wide enough to allow food to pass freely through without getting trapped are called open; whereas diastema that are narrower towards the tooth surface and tend to trap food within them are called closed. Food which becomes trapped and impacted within the diastema eventually cause gingivitis (gum disease), food pocketing below the gum margin, and eventually infection of the tissues around the tooth which becomes very painful (Fig 2). Horses with this type of dental disease frequently drop food and may even lose weight. • Welcome and new staff • Winter Client Evening • Mud Fever • Diastemata • Our staff What can we do about these gaps? Open diastema, which allow food to pass freely through often do not require further treatment however, closed diastema require widening with a burr (Fig 3; Fig 4). This is a non painful procedure and can be done under sedation. In severe cases, diastema may be widened and then filled with dental impression material (the same material your dentist uses for filling your teeth) in order to prevent further problems (Fig 5). Fig 2. Fig 4. The mirror shows a widened diastema CONTACT The Dick Vet Equine Practice The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The University of Edinburgh Easter Bush Campus Midlothian EH25 9RG UK Fig 3. Widening a diastema with a rotating burr Fig 5. The mirror shows a diastema filled with dental impression material that hardens to form a seal WINTER 2013 WINTER 2013 1 The Dick Vet Equine Practice Mud Fever: Greasy heels, cracked heels, pastern dermatitis, winter heels What is mud fever? Mud fever or ‘Pastern Dermatitis’ is not a single disease, it is a term used to describe a number of different diseases that all result in the clinical signs of pastern dermatitis. Why does my horse get mud fever? There are many predisposing factors which contribute to horses developing mud fever; some of these include; • Genetics – horses with white hair on the lower legs or lots of feathering are more likely to develop mud fever. • Infections – horses with underlying infections such as fungal infections, bacterial infections and mites (chorioptic mange). • Other diseases such as Cushings disease (PPID) are predisposing factors. • Environment – legs being wet and muddy for prolonged periods. • Irritants – chemicals applied to the skin or physical irritants such as over reach boots. What are the signs? Mud fever can occur anywhere on the body but is most commonly seen in the pastern region. Skin becomes inflamed and red, oozing serum which forms scabs matting the hair together. Horses may resent you examining the area so be careful as even well behaved horses may behave unpredictably when in pain. What happens if left untreated? Mud fever can progress to serious bacterial/fungal skin infections, lameness, permanent leg swelling, open sores, wounds and loss of performance. How do I treat it? 1. Decide whether there are any signs which suggest veterinary involvement is needed and call your vet if required. 2. Clip any excess feathering from the area being careful not to further traumatise the skin. If treatment is not working your horse may have an underlying condition such as mites, Cushings disease(PPID) or a fungal/bacterial condition which requires veterinary treatment. When such signs occur in the summer months in dry conditions, this can signify other disease which may be aggravated by light exposure. When should I call the vet? You should call your vet if you observe any of the following signs; • Your treatment is not working or the area is getting bigger. • Swelling of the leg which doesn’t reduce with exercise or is spreading up the leg. • Lameness. • Extreme pain when you touch the area. • Wounds or opening sores. • Bleeding or discharge. How can I prevent it? Prevention is probably the most important factor in the management of mud fever. • Reduce time spent standing in wet muddy conditions – rotate paddocks, feed in different areas, put down hardcore at gateways and high traffic areas. • Use barriers to mud once treatment has been started – creams, boots, leg wraps etc. can all help. • Wash and DRY legs when bringing horses in from the field. • Ensure turnout boots fit well, do not rub and clean them frequently. • Practice good stable hygiene. If you are at all concerned about your horse’s skin, call us for a chat on 0131 650 6253. 3. Gently wash off the scabs with very dilute chlorhexidine (e.g. 1 teaspoon of Hibiscrub per 1litre of cold water) and dry the leg thoroughly. Wet and dirty conditions 4. Apply a barrier cream such as baby’s nappy cream or cow’s udder cream. Trauma to skin surface 5. Start prevention measures. Skin Infection, open sores and wounds, lameness, swelling Fig 1. Mud Fever is frequently restricted to the white areas of the legs. 2 Bacteria/fungi penetrate compromised skin Fig 2. Vet carrying out a skin scraping to ascertain the cause of mud fever. WINTER 2013 Breakdown of skin’s natural defence barrier WINTER 2013 Signs of mud fever Painful, red, ulcerating, scabby skin 0131 650 6253 www.DickVetEquine.com 3