Latest News – The Horse
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
More Cases of Equine West Nile Virus in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced Monday that additional horses have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), bringing the total number of equine WNV cases in the state this year to 17.
The
Origins of the Horse
It was previously thought that modern horses were descended from a limited number of wild herds and were selectively bred, leading to the diversity in breeds that we have now. However, new DNA evidence suggests that horses have a more diverse
Equine Cases of West Nile Virus Illness in 2002: Jan. 1-Sept. 17
The total number of equine cases of illness caused by West Nile virus (WNV) confirmed at the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) or reported by state officials so far this year is now 5,380. That is an increase of 774 cases
Drought Takes Toll on Horses
Drought, in varying degrees of severity, still grips nearly 50% of the United States. Also afflicted are parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada (see “Alberta Drought” below). The two areas of the United States most seriously affected by the drought are the East Coast from Maine to Georgia and an area of the West that stretches from Montana to Texas.
The drought has had a broad
Pennsylvania Stops Testing Birds for West Nile Virus
Starting today through next spring, Pennsylvania’s West Nile virus program will no longer accept birds for routine testing in 29 counties. However, state officials are asking citizens to continue phoning 877/PA-HEALTH to report dead birds that may have been infected with West Nile.
Dead bird sightings are an important factor in determining mosquito surveillance and
Equine Cases of West Nile Virus Illness in 2002: Jan. 1-Sept. 12
The total number of equine cases of illness caused by West Nile virus (WNV) confirmed at the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) or reported by state officials so far this year is 4,606, as of Sept. 12. The cases are from 32
