April Newsletter - Burke County

Laminitis in Horses

Laminitis is a very painful and serious disease that can cause lameness in horses. The laminae is the support of the bony column in the foot. Once this supportive lining between the hoof wall and the bone becomes inflamed, it is called laminitis. There are two layers of laminae in the hoof. The sensitive laminae next to the bone, contains the blood, and the layer next to the hoof wall has no blood or nervous tissue and is called the insensitive laminae.
Major changes in normal gut bacteria produced when a horse eats too much grain, lush pasture or mares having retained placenta can cause laminitis. Grass founder occurs most often, and is attributed to horses grazing lush spring or fall growth of cool season grasses. This growth is low in fiber and high in carbohydrates, or sugars. The fructans are chains of sugars made up of fructose molecules. Horses lack the enzyme enabling them to digest fructans, and they pass undigested to the hind gut, and undergo bacterial fermentation. Lactic acid is produced during fermentation, and effectively kills the normal hind gut bacteria. These dying bacteria release endotoxins, that are absorbed through the bloodstream, causing reduced blood flow to the laminae, and sometimes laminitis.

By limiting grazing during high growth periods, grain intake, having a regular feeding schedule, regular hoof trimming, vaccinations and deworming, horse owners can reduce the occurrences of laminitis.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are beginning to appear and homeowners who are unlucky enough to have these pests around are starting to call the office about how to control them.

Carpenter bees, so named because of their habit of tunneling into wood are tough to control. Males and females overwinter in last year’s tunnels. They mate and the male dies. The female starts drilling tunnels to build a nest in. She gathers pollen and stores it in the tunnel and then lays her eggs. She is last year’s generation and she is the one who is destructive. The new bees hatch in about seven weeks and live inside the nest eating the stored pollen until August when they emerge and start gathering pollen. This generation are next year’s trouble makers.

Sprays are ineffective because carpenter bees don’t eat wood, they just tunnel through it. Sevin dust can be puffed into the tunnels while bees are nesting and then sealed with caulk. This will kill next year’s population as they hatch. It’s a time consuming job and many times just too difficult to do. A badminton racket to swat the bees with is pretty effective. They are easily killed and if infestations aren’t huge, this method can help reduce the numbers of bees.

There’s no perfect solution and if you live in a wooden structure, it’s best to be prepared to do battle with these seasonal pests