Purdue University biologists recently determined the viral structure of the West Nile virus (WNV), a development that could greatly augment our understanding of the virus’ life cycle.

Using cryoelectron microscopy and advanced imaging techniques, the Purdue team has determined the orientation of the major surface proteins in a West Nile viral particle. Because these proteins are

Comparing pasture samples from 2002 and 2003 didn’t associate mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) with anything other than the Eastern tent caterpillar. However, Wayne Long, MS, of the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Department of Agronomy, provided some insight on pasture management in Central Kentucky and stressed the dangers of tall fescue toxicosis. He presented field study results on

Horse owners should be vigilant about having equine survivors of West Nile virus (WNV) re-examined by their veterinarians before putting the animals back into work. In a study of Minnesota horses which survived clinical WNV can make the horse more dangerous to ride or drive. Julia Wilson, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Associate Professor in Clinical and Population Sciences at the University of Minnesota’

“Endoscopy is the primary diagnostic tool for evaluation of the upper airway of the horse,” said Brett Woodie, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, at the clinic’s annual client education seminar held Jan. 5 in Lexington, Ky. He reviewed the history of endoscopy and its current use at rest, and the advantages of dynamic examination of the upper airway of horses which

According to icNorthWales, an online publication in the United Kingdom, a group of horses on a farm in Rhuddlan caused power cuts to thousands of homes and businesses across North Wales.

“The animals were rubbing against a wire stay in a field which caused damaged to a pole supporting power lines,” said the report. “The cut hit at about 2:30pm in Prestatyn on Wednesday (Jan. 7). The

Two Alabama horses were shot and killed Tuesday just outside of Andalusia, Ala., according to a Jan. 7 story in the Andalusia Star-News. The horses were valued at more than $20,000.

Andalusia Police Department (APD) criminal investigator Wade Garrett said in the story, “Two horses were shot–one died from a gunshot wound and one had to be put down.”

The investigation

Shuttling Thoroughbred stallions between Northern and Southern hemisphere farms for breeding began in earnest around 1992. Stallions had been shuttling from Great Britain and Ireland prior to that time. Between 1996 and 2002, 117 stallions from the United States were shuttled to the Southern Hemisphere in the late part of the year to complete a second breeding season. It was recently

The popular three-dimensional electronic horse model, “The Glass Horse CD,” which offered a novel look at the gastrointestinal anatomy of the horse when it was introduced in November of 2001, has a new companion that depicts the structures of the equine distal (lower) limb. This CD, called “Elements of the Equine Distal Limb,” should be available for shipping before the end of the

On Nov. 19 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Navigator for treating equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). This drug has been under development for more than six years.

IDEXX Laboratories of Westbrook, Maine, received approval for the 32% nitazoxanide antiprotozoal oral paste designed to kill the single-celled protozoan parasite Sarcocystis neurona, which

A new West Nile virus (WNV) equine recombinant canarypox vaccine awaits USDA approval, and once available, could pave the way for a new generation of equine vaccines in the United States. Merial developed this Recombitek equine WNV technology, and assembled a group of researchers, clinicians, and private practitioners in New Orleans, La., on Nov. 19, 2003, to review WNV and the research behin

The American Quarter Horse Association’s (AQHA) Stud Book and Registration Committee will discuss various matters relating to the breed and AQHA’s registration process, namely eligibility of horses with white beyond certain prescribed limits on their bodies and those of a particular lineage, during the 2004 convention in Reno, Nev., March 5-9.

During their Oct. 7 meeting, the stud book

A medical device derived from the lining of urinary bladders of specially bred pigs shows promise for healing equine tendon and ligament injuries, according to Rick Mitchell, DVM, of Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Conn. Mitchell recently addressed a group of veterinarians at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash., about the technology and his positive experiences with it in his

Editor’s note: A letter to the editor from Fort Dodge Animal Health cited inaccuracies in this article and can be seen by clicking here.

A new West Nile virus (WNV) equine recombinant canarypox vaccine received USDA registration approval on Dec. 23, and could pave the way for a new generation of equine

In 2004, your veterinarian’s truck might be stocked with a new combination vaccine–protection against West Nile virus (WNV) has been folded into routinely used three-way and four-way vaccines. The new combinations, manufactured by Fort Dodge Animal Health (FDAH) in Overland Park, Kan., will be available for shipment to veterinarians the week of Jan. 12, 2004.

The vaccines will combin

Editor’s note: A letter to the editor from Fort Dodge Animal Health cited inaccuracies in this article and has been included below.

A new West Nile virus (WNV) equine recombinant canarypox vaccine awaits USDA approval; once available, it could pave the way for a new generation of equine vaccines in the United States.