The horse is a mammal, and is classified as a non-predatory domestic animal, as it feeds on plants and herbs, and has been bred for thousands of years to serve humans in agriculture, travel, trips, major shows and races. The horse is famous for its strength and speed due to the flexibility of its body and the strength of its muscles. The horse differs from other animals due to its ability to run quickly and run long distances, but horses may be infected with many diseases that cause their death if they do not undergo the necessary treatment and vaccinations quickly to save their lives.
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Most common cause of death in horses
There are many possible causes of horse death, and these causes can be presented in the form of diseases that affect horses to prevent them, and they are as follows:
Diseases that lead to the death of horses (heart disease, poisoning, shocks)
Horses are poisoned by eating plants to which toxic chemicals have been added.
Intestinal worms and their entry into the intestines and stomach are among the most important diseases that affect horses, and they affect the respiratory tract, stop the heart muscle and kill the horse immediately.
Female horses may die suddenly when exposed to shocks, especially the death of their young ones before their eyes.
Acute and cumulative causes that lead to sudden death
Tetanus.
Tuberculosis.
Influenza.
Horse fever.
Colic in horses.
Intestinal worms.
The role of veterinary care in preventing fatal diseases
There is no doubt that veterinary health care for horses plays a major role in maintaining the health of horses and protecting them from fatal diseases. The veterinary care process may be done through the following:
- Ensuring that they receive the necessary vaccinations and serums according to a specific schedule.
- Doing a comprehensive analysis of the horse every two months (blood test – urine and feces analysis).
- The horse’s body should be weighed once every three months to ensure that it is not exposed to excessive obesity or extreme thinness.
- How can horses avoid some fatal causes (nutrition, environment, daily activities)
- Horses can be kept healthy and protected from diseases by avoiding fatal causes and following many preventive and protective measures. These measures are as follows:
- Taking care of the cleanliness of the horse’s stable and place of residence to prevent the spread of viruses and epidemics.
- Protecting horses from polluted places, stagnant water, and rotten plants.
- Providing large amounts of water for horses to prevent dehydration.
Preventive examinations necessary to preserve the life of horses
There are many veterinary examinations that must be performed to examine horses and ensure their health. We can mention the most famous preventive examinations necessary to preserve the life of horses, which are as follows:
- Contact the veterinarian immediately if you suspect any new symptoms appearing on the horse because early treatment is of great benefit in protecting the horse.
- Conducting physical examinations of the horse to assess the condition of the horse and prescribe the appropriate treatment for it.
- Conducting a blood test for the horse every 3 months.
- Examining the horse’s skin to ensure that the horse is free of any diseases or skin fungi.
- Checking the horse’s feet to ensure that their feet are free of any injuries.
How to deal with horse deaths and provide veterinary support in a timely manner
There are some steps that must be taken to deal with horse deaths and provide veterinary support in a timely manner, and these steps are as follows:
- Horse breeders feel very sad when one of the horses they have raised for a period of time dies.
- Therefore, the main reason for the death of the horse in this place must be known, as the reason may be (lack of cleanliness and sterilization – the horse being poisoned – the horse being infected with bacterial abortion in cases of pregnancy – the horse dying due to worms – and others)
- After determining the cause, the breeder must work to modify and improve the place where the horses are raised, and it is sterilized with all the materials effective in killing any bacteria and fungi harmful to the health of horses.
- Taking full care of horses and other animals present, and monitoring any apparent symptoms to treat them immediately.
Cause of death in horses FAQs
What is the main cause of death in horses?
Colic is one of the most important causes that kill horses quickly, as lack of water and hydration in hot weather is a major cause of colic in horses, which causes the horses’ intestines to close due to dehydration, and the forms of colic vary such as (gas colic – impaction colic – spasmodic colic – choking colic – intestinal torsion colic – entrapment colic).
What are the most dangerous diseases of horses?
Encephalitis: It occurs due to the transmission of viruses of unknown origin to horses due to eating plants loaded with worms and bacteria. After the symptoms of the disease appear, they infect the brain with a strong inflammation that destroys brain cells. These viruses are fatal, and their most famous symptoms are (depression, not eating or drinking, fever, drowsiness, the horse hitting its head on the ground, and walking in circles). These symptoms end with complete paralysis, and the horse may die after several days after being paralyzed.
What is the most common cause of death in horses?
Rhinopneumonia: It is a respiratory disease that affects horses through viruses and fungi that are transmitted through sneezing, coughing, and approaching sick horses. Its most famous symptoms are (runny nose – fever – cough – abortion). Young horses and female horses are more likely to be infected with this disease than other horses. If the appropriate vaccination for rhinopneumonia is not received, the horse may die gradually.
What may cause a horse to die suddenly?
One of the most important causes of Killing a horse suddenly is eating poisonous herbs and plants or eating plants sprayed with toxic chemicals.
Why do horses bloat when they die?
The belly of horses swells when they die due to the death of all internal organs and the heart and liver stopping, as the body begins to release the internal temperature from it, then the stage of fermentation of organs, tissues and blood cells begins.
Thus, the horse’s body enters the stage of putrefaction and the growth of microbes and fungi, as the belly swells and then the rest of the body begins to explode due to the decomposition of bacteria and fungi inside the horse’s body.
What usually causes the death of old horses?
Rabies: The rabies virus is a fatal disease for old horses, because it appears in the saliva, and is transmitted by dealing with an animal infected with this disease, and affects the nervous system of old horses, and affects them in a harmful way, and its most famous symptoms are depression, paralysis, horse agitation, imbalance of movement and sudden lethargy, and this disease may cause the death of old horses due to their inability to bear this disease and resist it.
Conclusion
The importance of constant care to reduce the risk of premature death of horses There is no doubt that caring for horses and looking after them is one of the best methods that should be followed to protect horses from diseases that may lead to death, so horses must be examined by a veterinarian through the necessary physical examinations. Check the horse’s skin continuously to avoid the appearance of any skin diseases. Check the pregnant mare and take care of her until she gives birth to the young foal safely without any injuries or diseases. Pay attention to proper nutrition from plants and fodder, and large amounts of water must be provided to prevent dehydration.
