Dummkoller, formerly known as star gazer disease, is an incurable brain disease characteristic of horses, which fortunately is rarely seen today. Until 2002, this disease, which severely impairs consciousness, was one of the main defects that allowed a horse to be returned within 14 days of purchase.
The disease develops gradually. In the early stages, affected horses usually show only slight lethargy, which is often overlooked by owners and keepers. As the disease progresses, behavioral and consciousness disorders develop. The horses stand listless and with a blank stare in the stable and show little or no response to being addressed.
When moving, the horses become unsteady and begin to stagger and stumble, which is particularly noticeable when turning and backing up. As the disease progresses, more and more symptoms become apparent. The horses eat more slowly and sometimes keep food in their mouths. When drinking, they sometimes hold their heads down in the water until their nostrils are submerged. The horses appear permanently apathetic, stand with their legs crossed in their stalls, and no longer respond to any form of communication. Pain perception and reflexes are significantly reduced. For example, tickling the ear of these horses no longer elicits a defensive reaction (protective reflex). Sick horses are startled by very loud noises and often fall over.
This condition is characterized by altered pressure conditions in the brain. Whereas it was previously assumed that this was caused by a drainage disorder of the cerebral fluid and thus by hydrocephalus, current knowledge suggests that swelling of the cerebrum is responsible for the symptoms described. The increased pressure in the cerebrum gradually destroys more and more brain cells, thereby impairing brain function. The altered pressure conditions can be caused by tumors, meningitis, or congenital defects.
If one or more of the above symptoms occur, a veterinary examination should be carried out immediately. Due to the fact that the symptoms of the disease are not always clear, it is extremely important to distinguish it from the various forms of ataxia by means of a detailed general and neurological examination.
Other infectious diseases that lead to meningitis can also cause symptoms similar to those of Dummkoller and must be ruled out. Only the simultaneous occurrence of several symptoms specific to Dummkoller in conjunction with the exclusion of all similar diseases can justify a suspected diagnosis by the veterinarian.
There is no specific test to detect the disease. The collection and examination of cerebrospinal fluid from affected animals does not yield any useful results, as there is no change in cell counts. A definitive diagnosis can only be made after the death of the animals through a pathological examination.
Treatment depends on the severity and any known cause of the condition and, in the case of progressive symptoms, is limited to diuretic and decongestant medication. In the case of temporary, mild stupor following an infectious disease, the chances of recovery are relatively good, whereas in the case of a progressive course, permanent recovery is usually not possible. In this case, the veterinarian will decide together with the owner when the right time has come to euthanize the horse in order to spare it further suffering.
During intraocular pressure measurement (=tonometry), a special pressure measuring device (=tonometer) is used to measure the physical pressure inside the eye.
Hematology is a branch of internal medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood, the blood-forming system, such as anemia or coagulation disorders, and autoimmune diseases.
Many eye surgeries that have long been common in humans are now also performed on animals. There are now a number of veterinary specialists in ophthalmology (=ophthalmologists).
Even after centuries of domestication and breeding, the horse remains a flight animal. Some behaviors are undesirable to us humans, but they are not behavioral disorders; rather, they are part of the horse's natural nature. These include, for example, shying, bucking, or bolting. A typical behavioral disorder, on the other hand, is cribbing.
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in dogs. This aggressive tumor develops in the bone, has a high metastasis rate (spread rate), and occurs mainly in large dogs and giant breeds. Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Greyhounds are at increased risk of developing osteosarcoma. In these breeds, the tumors mainly occur in the long bones of the limbs. Smaller dog breeds are significantly less affected. Here, the tumors are more likely to be found on the short, flat bones of the trunk.
Stomach ulcers have long been considered an "occupational disease" in racehorses and competition horses. It was thought that early training, the stress of the racetrack, or frequent transport to international competitions caused stomach ulcers. However, we now know that this condition can affect horses of all breeds and performance levels. Even your neighbor's pony, grazing peacefully in the meadow, could be suffering from a stomach ulcer. Although around 90% of all racehorses are still affected by stomach ulcers, the proportion of leisure horses with the condition now stands at 37%.
Summer eczema is a recurring allergic skin disease in horses that manifests itself in severe itching and hairless, open patches of skin. The disease can occur in horses of all breeds, although Icelandic horses, Norwegian horses, Shetland ponies, and Haflingers are significantly more commonly affected, while warmbloods tend to be affected less frequently.
Corneal ulcer, also known as corneal ulceration, is one of the most common eye diseases in horses. It is not a growth, but rather a tissue defect that does not heal chronically and can vary in severity. The treatment of a corneal ulcer can be very frustrating, and untreated or incorrectly treated corneal ulcers can lead to serious visual impairment or even loss of the eye.
As a general rule, every dog needs a certain amount of grooming, some more than others. For some dogs, it is even worth taking them to a professional groomer. As a dog owner, you can also do some grooming yourself at home.
Taking in a foal and choosing the long road to happiness on horseback is a real adventure! It is an opportunity to form a bond that can mature over many years and to watch a foal grow into a horse. But it also requires commitment on your part.
Doesn't every rider dream of an unforgettable ride on their four-legged favorite? Whether over hill and dale, along the coast, or simply from place to place. The feeling of sitting relaxed on your horse with the wind in your hair is amazing. Exploring nature together, perhaps racing neck and neck in a riding group or bravely riding into a lake to swim – you probably have all these images and stories of wonderful riding trips with happy horse-rider pairs in your head right now. We all know that it's not always sunshine and roses on four hooves and that some riders work up quite a sweat when riding through unfamiliar terrain. But with a little preparation and a few precautions, you can create the right conditions for returning from your ride full of enthusiasm and wonderful memories.
Almost all of us are familiar with asthma in humans. But chronic respiratory diseases are also becoming increasingly common among our horses. Over the past few years, various terms have been established to describe a similar complex of diseases. In English-speaking countries, the umbrella term "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" (COPD) was used for a long time, as it was assumed that the changes affected not only the bronchi but the entire lungs. In German, the term "chronische obstruktive Bronchitis" (COB) was mostly used. Although these terms are still often used today, in veterinary medicine for horses, a distinction is now only made between "RAO: Recurrent Airway Obstruction" and "IAO: Inflammatory Airway Disease." The central component of all terms is always the obstruction or narrowing of the small bronchi, which leads to breathing difficulties and coughing. The precursor to these chronic diseases is usually acute bronchitis.
