I have been asked to speak about my experience with the recent early fetal loss syndrome in Central Kentucky. I saw my first two cases on April 26 when I was asked to fetal sex six mares on a farm in Jessamine County. Fetal sexing
On Tuesday, May 8, notices were sent to each state veterinarian “to make sure they got factual information” about the current foal loss problems, said Rusty Ford, Equine Programs Manager with the Kentucky State Veterinarian’s Office.
For
Two “syndromes” that began near the end of the third week of April are causing Kentucky farms to lose an excessive number of foals and fetuses due to an as yet unknown cause. The first syndrome results in what mare owners know as “red bag,” or
Fluid is drained from the pericardial membrane surrounding the heart of a horse with Pericarditis.
Photo: Stephanie
Veterinary and diagnostic professionals in Kentucky are working feverishly to identify the cause of the recent abortion and early fetal loss syndromes. One of the most probable causes is mycotoxins in pastures. If that is the case,
University of Kentucky
College of Agriculture
Veterinary Science Department
May 6, 2001
MEMORANDUM
To: Kentucky Equine Practitioners
From: Drs. Lenn Harrison, David Powell, and Roberta Dwyer
Re: Late term
There have been no reports in Maryland of the two syndromes that are affecting the breeding industry in Kentucky, and no plans at this time to ban horses from entering the state.
“There is no sign of a problem here in Maryland,” said Tim
Tom Priddy, a meteorologist at the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, put together data on the weather this spring that is thought to have caused the current equine problems associated with pasture.
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After testing numerous pasture samples for mycotoxins, endophytes, and other possible causes to the problems in Kentucky, tests have shown higher than expected levels of a mycotoxin called zearalenone, according to Dr. Steve Jackson, a consultan
The effects of the current crisis resulting from mares aborting or having late-term stillborn foals are being felt on the equine insurance business. According to insurance professionals, underwriters are not accepting any policies
As of noon May 17, the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center had received nine additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (four early-term and five late-term) for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total received since April 28,
May 17–As of noon, a total of 9 additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (5 late-term and 4 early-term) have been submitted for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total as of this count since April 28, 2001 is
To: Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners (KAEP)
From: KAEP Emerging Disease Committee
Re: Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome
Based on scientific and diagnostic results available to date, the following are suggestions
Industry organizations have taken a proactive stand in the wake of the fetal loss syndrome that has gripped Central Kentucky farms in recent weeks. Tim Smith, commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), has been in
As Ohio veterinarians try to understand and determine what might be affecting foals in the Ohio River Valley, the number of foals and fetuses available for testing by the diagnostic lab is no greater than normal. Sheila Grimes, DVM, PhD, Pathology
At the industry-wide meeting on Thursday, May 10, Dr. Steve Jackson, an equine nutrition consultant and owner of Bluegrass Equine Nutrition, and Dr. Jimmy Henning, an extension forage specialist at the University of Kentucky’s College of
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