Equine
Veterinary NewsFlash
Dr. John H. Berends
Here you can check on the latest Equine Veterinary
NewsFlash. These include important health issues, vaccinations, and
treatment breakthroughs for your horses.
NewsFlash for July 20, 2010
NEWSFLASH - I would like to inform everyone of the current Potomac horse fever outbreak and recommend to anyone that vaccinated their horse(s) prior to April 1 should get a PHF booster to aid in the prevention of this disease. If you have any questions, please feel free to call. (269) 795-4430.
NewsFlash for August 3, 2009
NEWSFLASH - Within the last month, I have seen over 15 cases of Potomac Horse Fever in my practice, and have spoken to several area equine veterinarians that are also treating several cases within their practices. This disease is very debilitating, and in some cases, fatal for horses. If you notice your horse(s) seeming to be depressed in their behavior, off feed, exhibiting mild colic symptoms, dehydrated, showing signs of diarrhea or founder - call the office, immediately. Treatment is required as soon as possible. The article feature in the latest News Letter has been put together by MSU's veterinary school. Please read and if you have any questions, please feel free to call. (269) 795-4430.
NewsFlash for January 1, 2007
As of 12/29/06, there have been no new confirmed
cases of EHV-1 in the state
of Florida. The last confirmed case was diagnosed on 12/22/06. There
are
10 quarantined locations within the state, but Florida is NOT closed
to
horses traveling into or out of the state. Florida's equine veterinarians
are requesting that you contact your point of destination to check on
their
status and requirements.
NewsFlash for December 22, 2006
According to the Florida Association of Equine
Practitioners there have been
7 confirmed cases of equineherpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) in the Wellington,
Florida area and 1 confirmed case of EHV-1 in the Ocala, Florida area.
All
of these cases are in a state quarantined facility. As of today (12/22/06)
at 11:00 AM, the state of Florida is not closed to equine traffic. Update
meetings are taking place on a daily basis. To be sure of your
destination's situation, please call ahead to be sure that your destination
is not under quarantine. This morning the FAEP's recommendation for
bringing horses into the state of Florida is that no new cases have
been
confirmed for the past 24 hours, they are, however, waiting results
on a few
cases of fevers of unknown origin. The FAEP has asked that horses not
already enroute to Florida wait to come into the state until after
Christmas.
Dr. Berends will keep this site updated as we receive new information.
REMINDER:
Dr. Berends has recommended that all of his clients vaccinate their
horses for rabies. Fort Dodge's recommendation, due to the number of
reactions that were seen this spring, was to booster all horses in mid
to late summer. This is at a time when most horses have already had
their spring vaccinations, and the rabvac vaccine could be given alone
- thus reducing the possibility of a rabies vaccine reaction. The importance
of this rabvac reminder is appreciated with the Michigan Department
of Community Health's new flash regarding the increased number of rabies
cases being diagnosed in Michigan. Please call the office to schedule
your horses' rabies vaccinations @ 269 795 4430.
NewsFlash for July 3, 2006
Michigan Experiencing Surge in Terrestrial Rabies
Cases
The Michigan Department of Community Health’s
Bureau of Laboratories has detected a total of 23 cases of rabies out
of 986 animals tested through June 26, 2006. These include 18 bats,
four horses, and one skunk. Over the same time period in 2005, nine
positive animals had been detected out of 965 submissions. Typically,
July and August are the busiest months in the MDCH laboratory for rabies
testing. This year is unusual not only in the number of positive animals
detected in the first half of the year, but also in the fact that four
horses have been found to be positive for rabies, the most in a single
year since 1999 when there were three.
Both 2005 and 2006 animal rabies statistics reflect
higher case numbers due to the skunk-strain of rabies. While bat rabies
is detected sporadically throughout the state, the skunk-strain of rabies
has, in recent years, only been detected in southeast Michigan and “the
thumb” counties. In 2005, a total of 13 animals, including seven
skunks, four cats, a sheep and fox were infected with this strain of
rabies. For 2006, to date, four horses and one skunk have been infected
with this strain. Diseases in wildlife often experience natural cycles
of high and low incidence, and rabies is no exception. Rabies of terrestrial
animals such as skunks are more likely to spill over into other unvaccinated
domestic animals such as cats and horses as they are more likely to
encounter a skunk in their natural environment, especially a sick skunk.
Bat rabies rarely spills over into other species.
For most domestic species of animals including
dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cattle, and sheep, there are licensed rabies
biologics available. Only dogs and ferrets are required by law to have
rabies vaccinations in Michigan, but other species whose daily activities
could expose them to potential rabies-infected animals should vaccinated.
For up-to-date information on rabies surveillance data please visit
the Emerging Diseases website at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.
Click on the “Rabies” topic.
Kimberly Signs, DVM
Zoonotic Diseases Epidemiologist
Michigan Department of Community Health
517-335-8165
