Disease

Pigeon Fever: One Horseowner's Story

Written by Deborah Powell

While neighbors battle the outbreak for six weeks, self-selected “microcurrent” therapy eases symptoms in less than a week

Before I even heard of the Pigeon Fever outbreak in our rural NW Oregon neighborhood, my horse was exhibiting signs: lethargy, gooey eyes, swollen glands, and a slight temperature, although he was still eating reasonably well. At 24, Prince is the elder of our herd, and I decided to call the vet, who felt it was too soon to confirm and told me to call again if body swellings appeared, the glands got larger or the fever rose.

Pigeon Fever in Horse Spreading

Written by Lisa Kemp

Endemic to California and Texas, pigeon fever has been spreading north and east the past few years, with recent outbreaks in Oregon, Washington and Colorado, and reported cases as far east as Kentucky and Florida.
Pigeon fever, while not necessarily life-threatening, is highly contagious. Once introduced into the environment, the hardy bacterium that causes it is difficult to eliminate, resulting in unpredictable future outbreaks.

Laminitis Horses: How to Manage Their Health Care This Spring

Written by Madalyn Ward, DVM

Owners of laminitis horses are starting to chew their fingernails because spring is just around the corner. Despite record cold weather in parts of the country, green grass and other signs of spring are popping up regardless. This, of course, makes people who have laminitis horses quite nervous!

If you are one of those people, don't panic. Luckily for you, there are a lot of horse health care steps you can take to prevent your equine buddy from experiencing laminitis symptoms ... or at least keep them to a minimum. The same is true for horses who are insulin-resistant, or otherwise on the edge of falling into laminitis.

Holistic Approach to Thyroid Disorders

Written by Lisa Kemp

Thyroid and related endocrine disorders can be approached holistically. Kay Aubrey-Chimene, RMT, owner of the Sonoita, Arizona-based Grand Adventures Ranch (GAR), has had experience and success in treating these conditions at her holistic animal wellness facility, located in the high mountain grasslands southeast of Tucson.

15 Things You Can Do If You Are Forced to Take a Flu Shot

Written by Russell Blaylock, MD

From Cold Packs to Magnesium, find out what you can do if you are forced to have the vaccine and want to reduce the Toxic Effects of the H1N1 Vaccine: