PROMOTING EQUINE JOINT HEALTH.

Horse owners are aware that the predominant factor limiting a horse's athletic longevity is musculoskeletal injury--particularly joint problems. A common assumption is that these injuries result from wear-and-tear and age. Consequently, owners further assume there's not much to be done about it. But think again: Using sensible strategies you can promote healthy equine joints capable of withstanding athletic demands. Balanced nutrition, sensible exercise, and prompt treatment can help a horse's joints function comfortable past their prime. Exercise management is crucial for the rapidly growing horse and is best coupled with a balanced feed ration. "Articular cartilage manages its nutrition and waste product production via normal use and weight bearing, . "Exercise is good but in excess could lead to -problems."Avoiding excessive exercise strain helps reduce potential injuries in foals that could result in growth plate trauma or subchondral (under the cartilage) bone cyst formation within joints. "Moderate exercise with gradual increases in intensity and duration results in better cartilage health and fewer injuries than that imposed by sudden, high-intensity loading.However, it is equally important not to limit a growing youngster's exercise too much since strain-force application (from loading the limbs) helps bone and soft tissue develop properly. There's evidence that articular cartilage responds in a 'handed' fashion--if a young horse works in one direction more than another, cartilage development can differ between limbs .The objective should be to familiarize the young horse with the longe line or round pen rather than attempting conditioning-training work. Implement early exercise in a thoughtful, deliberate manner that limits excessive repetition, which is challenging not only to joints but to tendon, ligament, and muscle as well. Preventing injury is the primary objective in long-term joint health management in horses of all ages. For the grown horse in training ,good body weight and muscle strength are the most important goals, along with conditioning for the specific exercise demands the horse will be performing. When a joint injury does occur, the owner plays an essential role in rapid detection. Close observation and knowing a horse's structure and personality are helpful. Get veterinary attention at the first notice of abnormal clinical signs; such as swelling, heat, pain, and/or lameness; joint effusion (excess fluid in a joint space) is typically the first abnormal sign seen after joint injury. With time and progression, a steady decline in performance associated with gait changes or a horse's reluctance to perform expected athletic efforts. read more here;http://www.thehorse.com/articles/29798/promoting-lifelong-equine-joint-health?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=older-horse-care&utm_campaign=11-27-2015

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS IN HORSES.

Many owners provide their horses with omega-3 fatty acid supplements purported to support skin, coat, and hoof health; maximize joint health; manage behavior and cognitive issues; and even function as a natural insect repellent. A recent revealed the following; Supplementation with the omega-3 product increased EPA and DHA levels in blood and synovial fluid,the recombinant equine interleukin-1β injection successfully induced an inflammatory response (synovitis) in the carpus. Although more research is needed, this study supports the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could modify the equine joint’s response to inflammation and might serve as an important chondro protective (protecting the cartilage) agent. read more at study here;http://www.thehorse.com/articles/36673/omega-3-fatty-acids-could-benefit-horses-with-osteoarthritis?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=older-horse-care&utm_campaign=11-27-2015

ANIMAL MATS FOR COMFORT.

These mats made from recycled tyres provide support and protection to the animals. The benefits of the mats are as follows; 1) hygienic stalls. 2)prevents injuries. 3)prevents falling ,slipping. 4)absorbs pressure especially in forelimbs. read more here http://www.animat.ca/en/equine/;

CHINA CLONING FACTORY TO PRODUCE A MILLION CATTLE.

In a bid to ensure food security, China has gone the biotech way to provide beef for consumption.The world’s biggest animal “cloning factory” is due to open in China, producing one million calves a year, sniffer dogs and even genetic copies of the family pet. Interest in agricultural biotechnology has been rapidly increasing in China, where farmers are struggling to provide enough beef for the country’s growing middle classes. Prices of the meat are said to have tripled from 2000 to 2013. Mr Xu said his new facility will clone racehorses and a handful of dogs for people with “emotional ties” to their pets, but its main focus was producing cattle. However, he appeared to be more excited about its ability to churn out sniffer dogs. read more here;http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/12013158/China-cloning-factory-to-produce-cattle-racehorses-and-pets.html

HEAT STROKE IN DOGS.

Heat stroke also referred to as heat prostration occurs when there is an elevated temperature. Dogs are very uncomfortable in hot environment than in cold regions.Dogs can easily suffer heat stress leading to prostration and consequently death within a short period. Ventilation is very important to health of pet,thus we need to ensure the environment is airy and conducive.Dogs cool themselves by panting which progressively become ineffective in extreme heat,poor ventilation or when pet is dehydrated because of lack of moisture on the tongue. Conditions that predisposes to heat stress are as follows 1) extreme temperatures. 2) locking a door in a car with windows up. 3) tying a dog in the sun for a long time. 4) exercising your dog on a hot day. Signs of heat stroke ; 1) restlessness 2)excessive panting. 3)weakness. 4) ropy,stringy saliva. 5) lying on the side,with extended limbs. What to do when you observe signs of heat; 1) take pet to cool area.2) give fresh cool water 3) cool the pet down. Cooling the pet down must not be rapid by pouring water on dog or bathing dog;, rather you use cold rags on the back line and cool the paws. A swab of alcohol can be rubbed on the back line to bring the temperature down and then seek veterinary attention to ascertain the condition of the dog.

RE; FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

Gambia bans this practice; one down many more countries to go!!!he Gambian government has introduced a ban on Female Genital Mutilation.Information Minister, Sheriff Bojang, on Tuesday in Banjul announced the order by President Yahya Jammeh, which came into force immediately.He said 158 females who carry out circumcision have stopped since a campaign was launched by the Gambia Committee for Traditional Practices. “In May, the committee urged the National Assembly to heed the call by local chiefs and communities to ban FGM in the country.It is not clear whether legislation would be put in place to enforce the ban,” he said. read more here; http://www.premiumtimesng.com/foreign/west-africa-foreign/193849-gambia-bans-female-genital-mutilation.html.

Similar proteins protect the skin of humans and turtles.

A new study shows the similarities between the skin of turtles and man. The turtle shell is a highly successful concept of evolutionary development and its defensive function clearly distinguishes turtles and tortoises from other reptiles. In the study, the working group led by Leopold Eckhart investigated the genes responsible for the skin layers of the shell of the European terrapin and a North American species of turtle, in order to compare them with the genes of human skin. The study findings suggest that a hard shell was formed as the result of mutations in a group of genes known as the Epidermal Differentiation Complex (EDC). Comparisons of genome data from various reptiles suggest that the EDC mutations responsible occurred when turtles split off from other reptiles around 250 million years ago. This new study shows that evolutionarily related genes have a protective function both in humans and also in tortoises and turtles. It is hoped that comparing the skin of humans and animals will provide a better understanding of the interaction of proteins. In future, the knowledge derived from this may lead to medical applications, for example to improved treatment for psoriasis, in which EDC gene mutations are found. read more here;http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151125104911.htm