GLOSSARY

Words followed by this symbol 0 are defined here

albumin--- protein found in almost all animal and many vegetable tissues. antibody--- disease-fighting substance produced by the body in response to the presence of an antigen. antigen--- substance, often a protein, that the body’s immune system recognizes as foreign and reacts to by producing an antibody. ataxia--- incoordination of the muscles, which results in shaky, irregular movements; may also be accompanied by weakness and loss of proprioception. bursa--- sac or cavity filled with fluid, located at a joint or other area where friction is likely to occur. It provides lubrication between ligaments, tendons and the bones over which they run. carbohydrates--- large group of carbon-based compounds, including starches, sugars and cellulose, that are found in plants and form the largest class of animal foods. Carbohydrates, together with proteins and lipids, are principal components of cell protoplasm, the viscous fluid that fills plant and animal cells. cartilage--- specialized type of fibrous connective tissue covering bone ends at joints; also structural basis for the ears and nostrils. collagen--- fibrous network that forms the basic framework of body tissue. electrolytes--- simple inorganic compounds that dissolve in water and are essential for many of the chemical processes in the body. equine herpesvirus (EHV)---a family of viruses that primarily cause chronic respiratory infections in horses (EHV-1, EHV-4). EHV-1 can also cause abortions in mares and, in rare cases, both EHV-1 and -4 can cause neurological signs, including progressive weakness and incoordination. EHV-3 causes a venereal disease called equine coital exanthema. equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)---endocrine disorder characterized by increased fat deposits in specific locations of the body or overall obesity; insulin resistance, which leads to abnormally high levels of the hormone circulating in the bloodstream; and a predisposition toward laminitis in the absence of other recognized causes. glucose--- a carbohydrate, the principal form of sugar found in the blood; a source of energy when metabolized. laminitis--- inflammation of the sensitive plates of soft tissue (laminae) within the horse’s foot caused by physical or physiologic injury. Severe cases of laminitis may result in founder, an internal deformity of the foot. Acute laminitis sets in rapidly and usually responds to appropriate, intensive treatment, while chronic laminitis is a persistent, long-term condition that may be unresponsive to treatment. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ---drug that contains no steroids and acts to reduce heat and swelling. proprioception--- the unconscious sense of where the body and limbs are at any given moment. protein--- large molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids in a specific order. Proteins are required for the structure, function and regulation of the body’s cells, tissues and organs, and each protein has unique functions. Simple proteins consist only of amino acids. Conjugated proteins consist of amino acids joined to other complex molecules. Derived proteins are the products of chemical changes to other proteins. rhinopneumonitis--- highly contagious disease caused by herpesviruses (EHV-1, EHV-4); characterized by fever, mild respiratory infection and, in mares, abortion. In rare cases, some strains of these herpesviruses also cause potentially fatal neurological complications. ringbone--- arthritis of the pastern joint (“high ringbone”) or coffin joint (“low ringbone”). sidebone--- conversion of one or both collateral cartilages of the coffin bone into bone; rarely a cause of unsoundness. synovial fluid (synovia)---sticky, transparent lubricating fluid in joint cavities and tendon sheaths; secreted by the synovial membrane. West Nile virus--- flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes. West Nile virus can infect birds, horses, humans and other mammals. In horses as in people, infection with the virus usually causes little or no illness. For reasons not yet determined, however, West Nile infection sometimes triggers swelling of the brain (encephalitis) that produces limb weakness, muscle fasciculation (twitching), incoordination, behavioral changes, paralysis and recumbency. In severe cases, West Nile encephalitis can lead to coma and death.