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Vicki Zaneis
Member
Username: vickiann
Post Number: 489
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 - 2:56 pm: |   |
Thank you for your worming program! Having fought lengthy bouts of messy legs and hind area in one of my boys, for 13 years (I tried everything!) I no longer have to constantly wash and clean, try probiotics or give extra psyllium. One of my horses is a big paint quarter horse, and giving the full tube was not enough. Since I've been following your instructions for worming, first there was a big improvement and now, no problem at all for about a year. Last year was a Moxidectin year and this is Ivermectin. My farrier is claiming part of the credit also, for finally putting great balance into his feet so that he can move gracefully and normally. At 23, my boy is doing better than ever in many ways! |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 19080
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 7:42 am: | |
Thanks Vicki,
Of course chronic diarrhea is a problem that sometimes goes away without explanation but it never hurts to institute a good deworming program. The low level of problems I see in my practice with difficult keepers, colic, diarrhea (yes there is still that paint with the white hindquarters) and the large number of horses living well into their 30's I attribute to effective deworming programs.
DrO |
katrina
Member
Username: kthorse
Post Number: 942
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 8:29 am: | |
I also want to say how well this deworming program works. I always had trouble keeping weight on my horse until I started this program 2 years ago. Now I have problems with too much weight. |
Vicki Zaneis
Member
Username: vickiann
Post Number: 493
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 7:00 pm: | |
This is a great site. Put all previously believed facts aside and open your mind. This site has changed a lot in my horse management program and saved me loads of money. What more can I say -- I'm a believer! |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 19087
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007 - 9:27 am: | |
Your last comment struck home Vicki and actually brought goose bumps to my skin because it succinctly states what is the very essence of why this site exists. When I turned my attention to equine medicine in the late 70's and began traveling with large animal vets in prep for starting veterinary school I was shocked at what I saw. Having worked in small animal veterinary hospitals, done research at a large pharmaceutical company, and worked in college microbial labs I was familiar with the risks of making conclusions based on temporal relationships and an idea of the importance of what is called "evidence based medicine" and what I will call "evidence based equine management". What I saw did not make sense and I could not find experimental evidence for most of what passed for equine medicine and knowledge. Worse it often was not even logical based on what was known.
The local media (pushed by Schering) induced Potomac Horse Fever scare was the straw that broke the camels back. You have no idea how frightening it is to advise your clients to not use the newly released PHF vaccine when others are telling them that their neighbor's horses are dying from this disease (see the PHF article for more on this). I found myself talking and writing to a wider audience than just my clients and local colleagues.
So much progress has been made on the information side in the last 25 years. Just reviewing the AAEP proceedings over the years you actually see the few years over which largely anecdotal articles are replaced largely with peer reviewed articles describing scientific experimentation. I do believe old notions should die hard, experience was all we had for thousands of years and many basic husbandry concepts are just as valid today as they were a hundred years ago.
Some have read this story before but it always re-invigorates me to go over it again...now what costly misnotion can we attack today?
DrO |
Vicki Zaneis
Member
Username: vickiann
Post Number: 494
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007 - 3:13 pm: | |
Thanks for all of that information, Dr. O! I have always tried hard to keep up with what is new, but also, accurate, so that I can do the best job possible caring for my horses. This site is an invaluable resource. |
Linda Lashley
Member
Username: lhenning
Post Number: 292
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007 - 4:48 pm: | |
Go gettum, Doc! Glad to be on the same side of the fence as you.
Linda |
Dawn Winans
Member
Username: dwinans
Post Number: 120
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 - 11:02 am: | |
I sometimes can find myself in awkward situations when I am speaking with my horse friends and they make comments that I have learned from Dr O that are incorrect. I'm not sure exactly what to say when somebody says "My vet says xyz". Unless I know the person well I usually stay silent - I mean who am I to argue with a vet? With my closer friends I will say "Actually, that's not exactly true, studies have proven xyz". I try not to be a pain in the butt and come across as a know-it-all but my friends are starting to realize that it is important to do your research and not believe everything you hear.
It's amazing how the old-time horse beliefs hang around forever. I think horse people may be a stubborn bunch!
Thank you Dr O! |
Vicki Zaneis
Member
Username: vickiann
Post Number: 495
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 - 4:20 pm: | |
I can certainly relate to what you are saying, Dawn -- and in Florida we have to be doubly careful because there are laws about giving horse (medical) advise without a Veterinary license. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 19105
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Aug 30, 2007 - 1:37 pm: | |
It is a fine line Dawn: giving helpful advice versus coming off as a know it all which often is how those who know a little bit come off. The more you know the more you realize how little we know. It is always important to remember that no two situations are exactly the same and some advice does not apply to similar situations. It is also important to remember that truth can change. I would be slow to correct but instead advise in a positive frame and when you are sure the advice is welcome or actively sought. Of course if someone is doing something dangerous all of this flies out the window and one should do all you can to correct the situation, no matter who gets peeved.
DrO |
Vicki Zaneis
Member
Username: vickiann
Post Number: 496
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, Aug 30, 2007 - 5:27 pm: | |
Brilliant advice, Dr. O -- thanks again!! |
