Grass sickness is a dangerous disease of horses
in which the nervous supply to digestive tract is progressively paralysed.
HORSES AFFECTED
It can happen in any horses but
most commonly is seen in horses between 3-7 years of age. It occurs when horses
are at grass in spring and summer and in horses turned out in the spring after
winter stabling seem to be most at risk. It seems to be more common during fine
sunny spells and certain fields seem to produce more cases.
The cause of grass sickness is unknown. It may be
related to a neurotoxin of some kind found in plants. The diseased does not
affect other species of animla.
Signs do vary a lot but can include the
following: Trembling muscles, sweating and fast heart beat, difficult in
swallowing, drooling, food passing through the nostrils, few gut sounds, colic
There is no cure of grass sickness and horses
very rarely get better or recover. Sudden cases can die in a few days, less
severe cases may live for a few weeks and chronic cases may survive for weeks or
months.
Prevention
Fields on which grass sickness has occurred should not be grazed by horses
especially during the spring and early summer. Hay cut from these fields should
not be given to horses.
Liver tonic supplements and immune support
formulas can be useful to help enhance the overall health of horses at risk from
grass sickness.
Free veterinary advice helpline: 01243 773363 (UK)
Free veterinary advice helpline: 0044 1243 773363 (International)
Mobile veterinary advice line: 07734 240 709 (UK)
All numbers available 9am - 5.30pm UK time.
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