CHA Horse Health & Veterinary Care Flashcards

Which internal parasite control strategy is currently recommended by equine veterinarians instead of routine calendar-based deworming?

Answer: Targeted selective treatment based on fecal egg counts

Targeted selective treatment using fecal egg count testing is the modern approach to reduce anthelmintic resistance and only treat horses with significant parasite burdens.

What is the Coggins test used to detect in horses?

Answer: Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)

The Coggins test (agar gel immunodiffusion) detects antibodies to the Equine Infectious Anemia virus, and a negative test is required for most interstate travel and competitions.

What are the early signs of colic that a CHA instructor should recognize and report immediately?

Answer: Pawing, looking at flank, rolling, lack of gut sounds

Early colic signs include pawing, flank-watching, rolling, sweating, and reduced or absent gut sounds, all requiring immediate veterinary contact.

Which of the following is a core vaccine recommended by the AAEP for all horses in the United States?

Answer: Tetanus

Tetanus is classified as a core vaccine by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) because it is fatal and universally recommended for all horses.

What is heaves (Equine Asthma/RAO), and what environmental trigger is most commonly associated with it?

Answer: A chronic respiratory condition most often triggered by dusty hay or bedding

Heaves (Recurrent Airway Obstruction) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease most commonly triggered by dust and mold spores in hay and barn environments.

What is the purpose of taking a horse's digital pulse, and where is it typically felt?

Answer: To assess foot inflammation; felt at the pastern above the hoof

A bounding digital pulse felt at the pastern indicates increased blood flow and inflammation in the hoof, which is a key early sign of laminitis.