Horse with Lighter Coat Colors Are More at Risk for West Nile Virus

"Have you heard?"

An announcement received today from the Merial corporation is putting horse owners on notice that West Nile virus (WNV) is a risk for all horses in infected areas, but that owners of light-colored horses should be particularly concerned.

The reason? A recently published study shows that light-colored horses have a greater chance of dying from West Nile virus (WNV). (Reference: Epp T, Waldner C, West K, Townsend H. Factors associated with West Nile virus disease fatalities in horses. Canadian Veterinary Journal 2007;48:1137-1145.)

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan evaluated 133 clinical cases of WNV in the southern portion of the province. Of the total cases, 43.8 percent died. Light horses such as palominos, buckskins, grays, whites or duns were four times more likely to die than dark or multicolored horses.

“The study did not explore specific reasons for increased fatality risk for light-colored horses,” says Frank Hurtig, DVM, MBA, Director, Veterinary Services for Merial Ltd. “However, vaccinating for WNV can help protect all horses.”

WNV is transmitted from mosquitoes to horses. If infected, a horse may exhibit signs such as fever, depression, muscle tremors, weakness, lack of coordination and paralysis. (See Canadian study.) About one out of every three equine WNV cases dies.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recently revised its core vaccination guidelines to include WNV. Every horse in the United States could be exposed at some point during the year, but spring and summer is an especially important time to protect against WNV. The disease shows no geographic borders and has been identified in all areas of the country. (See: Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses: West Nile Virus. American Association of Equine Practitioners. Available at: http://www.aaep.org/wnv.htm.) Plus, more temperate climates may experience longer mosquito seasons, potentially exposing horses to WNV for a longer period.

Blogger's note: this information was provided by Merial; the company is the manufacturer of Recombitek vaccine for West Nile virus. ®RECOMBITEK is a registered trademark of Merial Limited. Duluth, Georgia.

Fun photo courtesy of our friends at Equitana 2009, coming up in March 14-19 in Essen, Germany: see you there!

© 2006-2007-2008 The Jurga Report: Horse Health Headlines. All rights reserved.
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AAEP Veterinarians are “On Call” for 2008 Thoroughbred Racing Telecasts

Media-trained equine veterinarians representing the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ “On Call” program will support a month of live Thoroughbred racing broadcasts on the major television networks. The program is now in its 18th year.

Already this season, Dr. Rhonda Rathgeber was on hand for the Lane’s End Stakes and Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park on March 22 and Dr. Tom Brokken watched Big Brown whiz to his win at the Florida Derby this weekend at Gulfstream Park in Florida.

Watch for AAEP “On Call” veterinarians to provide on-air insight into horse health issues at the following spring racing telecasts, as well as the 2008 Triple Crown races:

April 12: Toyota Blue Grass Stakes with Dr. Scott Hopper at Keeneland Racecourse; Arkansas Derby with Dr. Milton McClure at Oaklawn Park; and Holy Bull Stakes with Dr. Tom Brokken at Gulfstream Park.

April 19: Coolmore Lexington Stakes with Dr. Alan Ruggles at Keeneland Racecourse.

Once again, the Triple Crown races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes) will have the expertise of Dr. Larry Bramlage embedded with the television crews.

Since the founding of “On Call” in 1991, more than 30 AAEP member veterinarians have volunteered their time and expertise to the program. Offered during all live network racing as well as arena events such as the AQHA World Championship Show, over 75 events are supported by an “On Call” veterinarian each year.

The "On Call" program is made possible in part by an annual donation from Oak Tree Racing Association.

AAEP RELEASES UPDATED EQUINE VACCINATION GUIDELINES

The Infectious Disease Committee of the American Association of Equine Practitioners has issued revised guidelines for the vaccination of horses. The Committee, chaired by Mary Scollay, DVM, has made recommendations for the use of vaccines based on the age of the horse and its previous vaccination history. The guidelines are intended to serve as a reference for veterinarians as they employ vaccines in their respective practices.

Highlights of “Guidelines for the Vaccination of Horses” include:

· The identification of tetanus, Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus and rabies as “core” vaccines. Core vaccines have clearly demonstrated efficacy and safety, and exhibit a high enough level of patient benefit and low enough level of risk to justify their use in the majority of patients.

· The addition of a vaccination protocol for anthrax.· Recommendations for the storage and handling of vaccines, as well as information on vaccine labeling and adverse reactions.

· Inclusion of the AAEP’s Infectious Disease Control Guidelines, which provide an action plan for the containment of infectious disease during an outbreak.

The Committee stresses that veterinarians, through an appropriate veterinarian-client-patient relationship, should use the vaccination guidelines coupled with available products to determine the best professional care for their patients. Horse owners should consult with a licensed veterinarian before initiating a vaccination program.

The Committee, comprised of researchers, vaccine manufacturers and private practitioners, updated guidelines that were established by the AAEP in 2001. The complete document, along with easy reference charts, is available on the AAEP Web site at http://www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm.

AAEP Publishes White Paper on Colic Research

The American Association of Equine Practitioners' Equine Research Coordination Group has published a white paper report on the status of equine colic research and education in the United States.

I have converted the paper to a downloadable pdf file for you to read in its entirety, as it is too long to post here. If you click on the link below, you should be able to have your own copy of the file.

Thanks to the AAEP for sharing this with us.
equinecolicresearch.pdf