Obesity is a state of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation. Obesity in horses increases the risk of developing a variety of health issues such as: insulin dysregulation (ID), reduced athleticism, colic, abnormal reproductive performance, laminitis, endotoxaemia, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipaemia, impaired thermoregulation, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, and osteochondrosis. Obesity is a significant health and welfare issue in horses that may go unreported or unnoticed due to a caregiver’s (owner) neglect. Weight gain occurs when a horse’s energy consumption exceeds his or her physical energy needs. Obesity is best assessed via necropsy or upon in vivo assessment with deuterium oxide administration, although this is not feasible in a clinical environment. In practice, obesity is assessed by: body condition scoring, cresty neck scoring, ultrasono graphic assessment, morphometric measurements, or biochemical indicators in the blood. Dietary and exercise programs are the primary means of controlling equine obesity. Pharmacologic assistance (levothyroxine sodium and metformin hydrochloride), being a secondary approach, may be effective in some cases. Management involves a long-term plan that requires the horse’s caregiver’s effort and discipline, as well as the support and supervision of their veterinarian. This paper outlines the assessment, health consequences, and management of equine obesity.

Nuchal crest adiposity is defined as an excess of fat around the top of the neckline, often referred to as cresty neck. It is critical to investigate nuchal crest adiposity because of its association with health issues, including insulin resistance and laminitis. The study sought to ascertain the prevalence of nuchal crest adiposity (dropping neck) in Kaduna State, Nigeria, as well as its association with obesity status and risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted. In total, 116 horses were assessed. The cresty neck score and body condition score (modified Henneke technique) were used to measure nuchal crest adiposity and obesity, respectively. Horses with cresty neck scores ≥ 3 were considered to have nuchal crest adiposity, whereas horses with scores ≥ 7 were considered obese. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on feeding and management; age was determined through dentition; and information about breed and sex were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with nuchal crest adiposity while a chi square was used to test for the association between obesity and nuchal crest adiposity status. The overall prevalence of nuchal crest adiposity obtained was 15.5 % (18/116). Obesity and nuchal crest adiposity were shown to be strongly associated. Housing and exercise were factors associated with increased odds of nuchal obesity. The study emphasises the need for efforts to raise awareness within the horse community that nuchal crest adiposity is common.

Insulin dysregulation (ID) is central to the pathophysiology of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), putting the horse at risk of laminitis. There is a paucity of information on the status of EMS in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of EMS, clinical manifestations, and associated risk factors in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out. Selected horses underwent an insulin 2-step response test to ascertain insulin dysregulation; a physical examination was carried out to diagnose laminitis and obesity. Risk factors were assessed using a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of EMS was 43.10%. Breed and sex were significantly associated with EMS, but age was not. Horses diagnosed with laminitis showed two signs of laminitis, namely, divergent hoof rings and widened white lines. Risk factors significantly associated with the prevalence of EMS were as follows: being a West African Barb horse (60.00%), being a stallion (67.86%), being a leisure horse (67.86%), only walking horses during exercise (68.00%), exercising horses once every 5 months (82.76%), tethering horses to a stake in the ground (67.86%), obesity (92.86%), and abnormal neck crest (83.33%). The risk of ID remains higher in obese horses. However, some of the horses with ID were not obese, indicating that there are other possible underlying causes of EMS.

Canine mange is a skin disease caused by mites that causes itching, alopecia, crusted lesions, and erythema. Studies on canine mange have been carried out in various countries, but in Nigeria, there is a dearth of studies regarding the prevalence of mange in dogs with skin lesions/conditions. The present study was aimed at determining the prevalence of mange cases in dogs presented with skin lesions/conditions at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, between 2007 and 2019 (a twelve-year period). A total of 179 cases of skin lesions/conditions were retrieved from clinical case files of dogs presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, with age, breed, and sex being part of the records considered. Descriptive statistics were used in calculating prevalence, while a chi square was used to test for association. Of the 179 cases, mange was the most prevalent (87.2%; 95% CI: 82.1%–91.6%). Out of these cases of mange, 92.9% (95% CI: 89.1%–96.8%) had scabies, while 7.1% (95% CI: 3.2%–10.9%) had demodicosis. There was no significant association (P > 0.05) between mange and breed or sex. The prevalence of mange was highest in old dogs (96.2%) and lowest in adult dogs (78.3%). There was a significant association between the prevalence of mange and age (P < 0.05). Canine mange is highly prevalent in dogs with skin lesions/conditions presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dog owners should spray or dip their pets with an acaricide solution on a frequent basis to reduce mange cases. Fumigation of dog kennels and homes will also help reduce the recurrence.