With the nation's primary focus on biose-curity measures and the prevention of exotic disease entering the UK, leading animal charity Blue Cross, together with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), continues to work at grassroots level to raise awareness of the serious issue of endemic disease.
The Blue Cross’ National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) helps to inform the veterinary industry by identifying trends in equine health. The third NEHS, which is being run with support from Pfizer Animal Health, takes place during the week 7–13 May 2012. It is the first survey of its kind to collect information on common, non-notifiable diseases and while participation is continuing to increase since the initiative was launched in 2010, the support of veterinary practices is still needed in encouraging their clients to get involved.
NEHS provides us with a unique insight into the world of the horse owner and, as such, cannot be underestimated. There is much we can learn from owners — and the results will inform future research, interventions and educational initiatives.
Rightly or wrongly, many conditions noted in the urvey are not regarded by the owner as warranting a visit from the vet, particularly in these diffi-cult financial times. For example, extreme obesity without laminitis, the ill-effects of sweet itch during last month's early taste of summer, or the management and welfare aspects of stere-otypic behaviour, tend to be managed by the owners themselves.
The latest survey, carried out during November 2011, collected data from nearly 6000 equines — 5699 horses and ponies and 286 donkeys and mules — the biggest sample size yet. So what have we learned so far?
NEHS November 2011 – Top five findings:
- Skin diseases: skin problems such as melanoma, sweet itch, sarcoid, mud fever and cracked heels were the most prevalent syndrome recorded in 19% of horses and ponies — suggesting a need for raising awareness of skin disease management and prevention amongst the veterinary industry and owners
- Weight issues: 8.6% of horses and ponies were recorded as overweight, which was the next most common syndrome recorded. This it is much lower than estimates from other resources and does rely on owner perception. Owners can get information on weight management by visiting www.bluecross.org.uk and searching for fat horse slim
- Lameness: this was recorded in 8.3% of horses and ponies, but while foot lameness is generally perceived to be the most prevalent cause, it was recorded less frequently in this survey (3.4%) than lameness due to problems elsewhere (4.9%)
- Wounds: these were a common problem recorded in 5% of horses and ponies in the latest survey
- Laminitis: this was recorded in 4.9% of horses and ponies, which is lower than the usual estimates in the veterinary literature, which are nearer to 7%. These findings strongly suggest that the current literature over-estimates the prevalence of laminitis.
You can view the full results at www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS. The results of each survey are starting to show similar trends which confirm it as a viable and meaningful method of collecting data on equine health directly from the owners themselves. But to enable NEHS to grow year-on-year we need the veterinary industry on board, to help raise awareness of the survey through clients and your practices. The more data collected, the more valuable the survey.
NEHS is quick and easy to complete, owners pick one day during the week of 7–13 May 2012 to go and check their horse over and complete the online survey, which should take no more than 5 minutes. Please encourage your clients and colleagues to register at www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS.