Dr. Rhonda Rathgeber, a veterinarian with Hagyard-Davidson-McGee veterinary firm in Lexington, Ky., specializes in performance horse problems. She said in the past 10 days, she has seen “a lot of riding horses lame with an associated colitis
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and two members of the House of Representatives from the Bluegrass State — Ernie Fletcher of the 6th Congressional district and Ed Whitfield from the 1st district — have written a letter to Secretary of Agricultur
While the numbers are nowhere near those associated with early fetal loss and late gestation pregnancy loss, there is a pattern appearing with horses developing pericarditis (fluid in the sac around the heart), said Dr. Doug Byars, a specialist
As the breeding season winds to a close, you expect to see fewer foals being born. Therefore, there are fewer chances for the current syndrome to affect late-gestation mares. It also seems, however, that the loss of late-term gestations–and
As of noon May 16, the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center had received nine additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (five early-term and four late-term) for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total received since April 28, 2001,
Following is a statement sent to other State Veterinarians on May 16, 2001
SUBJECT: Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome
Dr. Don Notter, Kentucky State Veterinarian, has asked that I provide to you the latest information regarding what
The foal loss syndromes facing Kentucky’s pregnant mares might be just the start of a host of problems that could affect horses of all ages, breeds, sexes, and uses in Kentucky and other states. Whether you have a gelding that is on turn-out, a
As of noon May 15, the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center had received 26 additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (18 late-term and eight early-term) for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total received since April 28, 2001, is
It might not be possible to gauge the extent of the fetal loss syndrome problem in Ohio since pleasure horse owners might not pay for the cost of testing on dead fetuses and foals presented to the diagnostic lab. However, anecdotal reports support
In the industry-wide meeting at Keeneland on Thursday, May 10, zearalenone, a kind of mycotoxin, was put forth as a possible cause of the recent rash of late-term stillbirths, critical foals, and early fetal loss. But while experts seem to be in
Following is a glossary of terms related to the mare reproductive loss syndromes in horses. This will be a living document–we will add to it as requested or as necessary. If you have any terms you would like to see listed on this document,
The old-timers say Kentucky is horse country because of its soil. What’s now growing on that soil could be the cause of a rash of late-term losses in foals, early embryonic death, pericarditis (fluid surrounding the heart), reduced growth rates
Concerns about reports of late term abortions and early fetal loss in Kentucky mares has caused only Florida to enact special restrictions on horses shipping in from the Blue Grass.
Kentucky state veterinarian Dr. Don Notter said he has
Officials with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Animal Industry, reported early Thursday afternoon that in 2 1/2 days they have received applications for 71 permits for horse shipments from Kentucky to
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