Category: Species

We typically shorten this disease to just “polio”, for obvious reasons. But if you break it down into its Latin roots, it’s not too bad!

Diabetes mellitus is a 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞, meaning that it impacts how the body processes certain materials. In diabetes mellitus, 𝐠𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐞 (the major sugar in our body) is not able to move through its normal metabolic cycle, causing it to accumulate in the blood stream causing 𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐥𝐲𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚 (too much glucose in the blood).

Wobblers syndrome’s proper name is 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲, and it is a common cause of 𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐚 (irregular gait due to neurologic issues) in horses. The main problem in Wobblers is compression of the spinal cord due to an irregular shape or positioning of 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐞 (the bones in the neck).

You may have heard of this condition referred to as 𝐄𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬-𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐬 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞 in people. Basically, it is a condition where 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧, the major structural protein found in the skin and joints has an abnormality in the shape or size of its fibers, preventing them from linking together properly to provide strength to the skin.

Hepatic lipidosis is basically when there is accumulation of 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐥𝐲𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 (the smallest component of fat) within the liver cells.

Navicular syndrome is basically when the navicular bone starts to degenerate. Typically, this means that the cartilage that sits on top of the bone, and sometimes even the bone itself, gets worn down. To try and compensate for the wearing, and desperately try to maintain the normal function of the structure, the body produces extra bone in irregular patches and nodules called 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐬. These can help, but sometimes they end up making things worse! The osteophytes can cause damage to the deep digital flexor tendon, leading to scarring that can sometimes even attach the tendon to the bone. Since the tendon is supposed to slide over the bone, this leads to complete loss of function of this area.

Melanomas are tumours that come from 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐬, which are a type of cell primarily found in the skin. Melanocytes produce 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧, a dark pigment, that helps protect the skin cells from UV light.

Osteosarcomas are tumours that arise directly from the bone. They most commonly develop from the long bones, like the femur or radius, however they can develop from any bone in the body! These tumours very commonly 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 (spread to other organs), particularly to the lungs.