Page 1031 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

COMPLICATIONS

Wound swelling and breakdown are not uncommon following this operation.
VetBooks.ir PROGNOSIS

The prognosis is good. The mare’s behaviour generally returns to normal within a few weeks
of surgery. The remaining ovary usually starts to function normally between 2 and 18 months
later. In a very small number of cases the tumour is found to be malignant and spreads to

other organs of the body.

Behaviour problems in stallions and geldings

Information on these topics can be found in Chapter 19, The Cryptorchid Horse.

COPROPHAGIA

Coprophagia is the practice of eating faeces. This is normal behaviour for foals that may be

observed to eat the mare’s droppings. It may have a beneficial effect by introducing the foal
to normal gut microorganisms.

In adult horses, the behaviour may be associated with a protein deficiency in the diet, so

this should be checked. Affected animals will eat their own faeces or those of another horse.
It can be reduced by prompt removal of the droppings from the stable and field. Where
appropriate, dietary changes should be made. This behaviour can result in a particularly

heavy worm burden as eggs and larvae are ingested with the faeces.

PICA

Pica is the name given to ingestion of soil or other substances such as wood which are not

part of the horse’s normal diet. This behaviour often reflects a nutritional imbalance or a
behaviour response to the environment in which it is kept.

Causes

These include:

• a mineral deficiency

• lack of fibre in the diet