Latest News – The Horse
West Nile Virus Moves West in Canada
Horse owners in Canada are becoming just as wary of the neurological disease West Nile virus (WNV) as their U.S. neighbors (see “West Nile Virus Alert” on page 32). The virus, which is harbored by birds and spread by the bite of an infected
Controlling Mosquitoes with Pheromones
A new product that can help control mosquito populations is currently under development. Materia, Inc., has developed a cost-effective synthesized version of the natural pheromone called Mosquito Oviposition Pheromone (MOP). MOP is naturally
More Kentucky Potomac Horse Fever Cases
Two additional cases of Potomac horse fever (PHF) have been confirmed at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee (HDM) veterinary hospital in Lexington, Ky., bringing the clinic’s total to five confirmed cases since the end of July. Two other PHF cases previousl
Sunday Silence (1986-2002)
Kentucky Derby winner and top Japanese sire Sunday Silence died of heart failure Aug. 19 following an infection in his leg and the debilitating effects of laminitis. The horse had been fighting illness for 14 weeks prior to his death. Sunday
Updates from the American Association of Equine Practitioners
New Board Members Elected
Recently, four new directors were elected by the membership of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to serve on the organization’s board. The terms for the new directors will begin right
Equine Sports Medicine Center Dedicated
The Scott Center for Equine Sports Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center was dedicated on June 29. The 10,000-square-foot addition to the College of Veterinary Medicine’s large animal program will improve patient care an
MRLS Workshop
Since the devastating disease process known as mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) appeared on the scene in 2001 (and reappeared in 2002), concerted efforts have been focused on understanding and controlling the problem. Economic losses to th
Vaccine Licensing
Any company trying to put a new vaccine on the market must follow a specific process to obtain a license from the USDA before the product can be used in the horse population. A vaccine receives either a conditional or full license after a series
Comfrey Targeted for Enforcement Action
The Enforcement Strategy for Marketed Ingredients (ESMI) Working Group of the Association of Animal Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) cited an increasing number of unapproved or undefined ingredients appearing in animal feed and pet food as well as
First West Virginia Equine WNV Cases Detected
Three equine cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been confirmed in West Virginia, according to state veterinarian Lew Thomas, DVM. The cases were detected over the last three weeks, and WNV was confirmed in each horse by the USDA National
Numbers Fall For Keeneland November Sale; MRLS Blamed
Keeneland will catalog 3,597 lots for the November breeding stock sale in Lexington, Ky. The number is down by 12.6% from last year’s figure of 4,119. Tom Thornbury, Keeneland’s associate director of sales, identified the effects of mare
Fairplex to Rescue for Equine Fire Evacuees
As wildfires raged in nearby canyons, Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif., became an emergency evacuation center for 90 horses forced from their homes.
At the request of the Los Angeles Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Fairplex
Equine Cases of West Nile Virus Illness in 2002: Jan. 1-Sept. 22
The total number of equine cases of illness caused by West Nile virus confirmed at the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories or reported by state officials so far this year is 6,223. That is an increase of 843 cases since Sept. 17. Th
Merial Acquires Flair Nasal Strips
Merial, the company which makes Gastrogard (omeprazole), Eqvalan (ivermectin) and Zimectrin (ivermectin) has expanded its equine product portfolio to include Flair Equine Nasal Strips, which were formerly developed and manufactured by CNS, Inc. A Flair nasal strip is a disposable, adhesive device that is placed above the horse’s nostrils, and promotes respiratory health and performance by
West Nile Virus Vaccine Challenge Study Q&A
Research and Development representatives from Fort Dodge Animal Health presented results from their challenge study of the West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine on Sept. 18. The information was presented at the World Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties–OIE) meeting “Vaccines for OIE list A and Emerging Diseases” in Ames, Iowa. The presentation followed the USDA’s
WNV Vaccine Study Abstract Released
Fort Dodge Animal Health recently received USDA approval to release the following abstract regarding the West Nile virus vaccine and its efficacy. More information on the topic was presented in today’s sessions at the World
