KEYWORDS

anhidrosis--- failure of the body’s sweat mechanisms. Banamine--- trade name of flunixin meglumine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to control inflammation and pain primarily associated with colic and muscle injuries. cellulitis--- inflammation of connective tissues. corticosteroids--- analogs of the hormone cortisol produced primarily by the adrenal glands; they may be natural or synthetically produced for injection. developmental orthopedic disease (DOD)---a general term used to describe all skeletal conditions associated with growth and development in foals, including osteochondrosis, acquired angular limb deformities, subchondral bone cysts, physitis, flexural deformities, vertebral deformities and deformities of the small bones of the hock and knees. endotoxemia--- presence of specific bacterial poisons (endotoxins) in the blood; usually caused by severe colic and resulting in shock and/or laminitis. eosinophil--- type of white blood cell that increases in number during certain chronic infections, allergies and parasitic infestations. gastrointestinal flora--- beneficial one-celled organisms normally residing in a horse’s gut that play an important role in digestion. glycogen (animal starch)---chief form in which carbohydrates are stored in the body. inflammatory airway disease (IAD)---a littleunderstood condition commonly found in young racehorses and performance horses who periodically perform poorly, with or without coughing. Excess mucus and inflammatory cells are usually found during endoscopic examinations of such horses. influenza--- acute viral infection involving the respiratory tract. Influenza is marked by inflammation of the nasal mucosa, the pharynx, the conjunctiva, the lungs and sometimes the heart muscle. 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. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)--diagnostic technique that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to capture a three-dimensional, computerized image of soft tissues within the body. nictitating membrane (haw, third eyelid)--tissue fold which can be drawn over the eye to serve as a third, innermost eyelid; present in most reptiles and birds and in many mammals, including the horse. pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, also called Cushing’s syndrome)--disease caused when the cortex of the adrenal gland produces excessive amounts of hormones, including cortisol; signs include persistent long hair, thin skin, fragile bones, stupor, weakness and sweating. Potomac horse fever (monocytic ehrlichiosis) ---disease caused by a rickettsial organism, Neorickettsia risticii. Named after the Potomac River Valley where it was first recognized in 1979, the disease is characterized by fever, diarrhea and laminitis. rhinopneumonitis--- contagious disease caused by a herpesvirus. Rhinopneumonitis is characterized by fever, mild respiratory infection and, in mares, abortion. scratches--- scabby and/or oozing skin inflammation on the back of the pastern above the heels; equivalent to chapped hands in people. splints--- bony enlargements occurring on the cannon and/or splint bones, characterized by swelling, heat and sometimes lameness. Most common in young horses when first exercised or put to work. West Nile virus--- flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes. West Nile virus can infect birds, horses, humans and other mammals. 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. windpuffs (windgalls)---protrusions of joint capsules and/or tendon sheaths, caused by stretching due to excessive fluid.