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Vaccination and Coggins Clinic
April 13th 2019, 1-3 pm
Rice County Fairgrounds
The Faribault Veterinary Clinic would like to invite you to attend a vaccination and coggins clinic to be held on Saturday April 13th, 1-3 pm at the Rice County Fairgrounds. Dr. Jesse Sandbulte will be on site to collect blood samples at a reduced rate for Coggins test and to vaccinate your horses. The Coggins test is ran to screen for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a viral blood disease. A negative Coggins test is mandatory if you are going to shows, public trail rides, any exhibition within the state, and for crossing the state line for any reason.
Due to the number of horses and time allowed, only vaccinations and Coggins will be performed. Any other services, such as exams, worming, or dental work will need to be set up by calling our office. WITH THE SPECIAL RATES, WE ARE ASKING THAT ALL SERVICES BE PAID FOR AT THE TIME PERFORMED. We will be accepting cash, checks, and credit cards on site.
RSVP’s are incouraged: We are asking if you are able, we would appreciate if you could per-register. You may do this by mailing in your Coggin’s Clinic insert form, or by calling or emailing us to let us know what you would like done. Please have all per-registration in no later than April 12th. Of course anyone is welcome and per-registering is not required. By per-registering we are hoping we will be more prepared and able to get to everyone even faster.
Mark your calendar for April 13th, 2019 and we’ll see you there rain or shine!
Special Rates:
Coggins Test: $28 (special price) West Nile Combo: $39 West Nile Only: $33 Potomac/Rabies: $31 Influenza/Rhino: $30 Strangles: $31
Potomac Only: $26 Rabies Only: $20
Check out the packages we have made on the insert….
Which Vaccines Does My Horse NEED?
Equine Herpes Virus 1 – also called Rinopheumonitis or Rhino- causes upper respiratory or neurological signs in horses. Can cause abortions in pregnant mares.
Equine Influenza – also called Flu – causes hacking cough primarily in younger horses. Easily passes horse to horse.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis – also called EEE or Sleeping Sickness – spread by mosquitoes and causes a swelling of the horse’s brain. Very deadly, treatment is by supportive care only. Included in West Nile Combo.
Western Equine Encephalitis – also called WEE or Sleeping Sickness – spread by mosquitoes and causes a swelling of the horse’s brain. Not as deadly as EEE, but can cause severe illness in horses. Included in West Nile Combo.
Tetanus – also called Lockjaw – caused by a bacteria Clostridium tetani, which can be found in the soil and droppings for a long time. Causes muscles to lock up. Is often deadly but easily prevented with vaccination. Included in West Nile Combo.
Rabies – Transmitted by an infected animal biting another animal or person. In MN, skunks and bats are the most common rabid animal. Rabies is fatal and affects the nervous system of mammals. It is easily prevented by vaccination.
Potomac – also called Potomac Horse Fever – causes fever and diarrhea in adult horses. Water snails and mayflies from infected water sources transmit Potomac. Southern MN has a hot spot for Potomac outbreaks.
Strangles – caused by Streptococcus equi, causes swelling of the lymph nodes under the jaw and fever. Highly contagious from horse to horse and can be in the environment for 2 months after an outbreak on a farm.
West Nile – spread by mosquitoes and causes muscle weakness, stumbling, tripping, vision loss, loss of appetite. Any horse is at risk as mosquitoes are all over MN! Included in West Nile Combo.
Horses that trail ride or travel, spend time with other horses outside of their own herd, or have contact with horses that travel (like the geriatric horse that stays home but the barn buddies travel need to be vaccinated for Rhino, Flu, EEE, WEE, Tetanus, West Nile, Potomac, Rabies, and Strangles.)
Horses that do NOT travel to the southern US (Texas, Arizona, etc.) or Mexico do not need a 6 or 7 way that contain Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis.
We do not use a West Nile combo shot that also included Tetanus or Flu. We have seen to many horses experience an adverse reaction when all of the viruses are combined into one vaccination.
If you have any questions about how to best protect your equine herd, give Nicole or Heidi a call at (507) 334-2068
Equine Herpes Virus- 1 (EHV-1)
Dr. Casey Rabbe DVM
What is “Myeloencephalitis”?
Myeloencephalitis is a neurological disease that is caused by an equine herpes virus infection. Neurological diseases are those that are associated with problems in the brain and spinal cord. Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) infection causes damage to the blood vessels that supply the brain and spinal cord of the horse. Without blood supply, these tissues are damaged, which leads to the symptoms associated with this disease. EHV-1 can also cause respiratory disease, abortions, and death in young foals. The neurological symptoms are most often due to a particular strain of this virus that has a mutation in its genes.
How common is this virus?
By 2 years of age, most horses have been exposed to the virus. Generally, exposure occurs through contact with the dam. The virus becomes inactive or “latent” in the horse’s body and causes no symptoms of disease. Stress, heavy work, transporting long distances, or weaning can cause the virus to reactivate and the horse to show symptoms of the disease. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cases reported around the country. Outbreaks have occurred at large horse shows, boarding facilities, and racetracks. Due to the large number of exposed horses and the serious consequences of this disease, an increased awareness of the neurologic form of EHV-1 is a must.
Symptoms
The neurological form of EHV-1 can occur before or after the respiratory or abortion form of EHV-1. Neurologic symptoms can occur alone. Signs of myeloencephalitis include:
- Fever (4-10 days before signs below)
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- Decreased coordination
- Dribbling urine
- Loss of tail tone
- Weakness in the hind limbs
- Leaning on walls, fences etc.
- Inability to stand, sitting like a dog
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Diagnoses
- Swabs taken from the nostrils of a horse can be used to isolate the virus in the laboratory or used to run a test called a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) which can detect virus in a sample.
- A blood sample can be taken for laboratory virus isolation and PCR.
- Two blood samples can be taken 2-3 weeks apart to determine if there has been an increase in antibodies to the EHV-1 virus, which would indicate exposure the virus.
- Cerebral spinal fluid, fluid that surrounds the spinal cord, can be sampled for evidence of infection.
**There are currently vaccines that control the respiratory and abortion forms of EHV-1, but the neurologic form, myeloencephalitis, does NOT have a preventative vaccine.**
What to do if you suspect your horse has myeloencephalitis caused by EHV-1:
*Call your veterinarian immediately. EHV-1 is a reportable disease! Immediate medical care is needed for your horse.
*Isolate the infected horse from other horses and people. Move to a separate barn or paddock, or to a veterinary care facility.
*Do not share equipment since the virus can be spread from contact with contaminated items.
Remember! Symptoms of this disease indicate an emergency. Contact your veterinarian right away!
Shoo, Flies! A List of the Culprits
Common House Fly- This fly breeds in manure. The horse spends a good part of its time and energy trying to escape their constant annoyance. Although the house fly is non-biting, due to its sponge-like mouth parts, it will feed on secretions of the face and has been implicated in the transmission of various diseases.
Stable Fly- Unlike the house fly, the stable fly is a vicious biter who feeds on warm-blooded animals, including our horses. The stable fly sucks blood and can spread equine infectious anemia.
Face Fly- The face fly, similar in general appearance to the house fly, feeds on facial secretions such as saliva, tears, and mucus. Although this fly more frequently attacks cattle, the face fly is often found at the corner of the horse’s eyes, outside the nostrils, or on open wounds. Face flies do not have biting mouth parts but are known to spread conjunctivitis and eye worms.
Horse Fly- The well known horse fly is a large, biting, blood sucking creature. Since the female must have blood to reproduce, she obtains this nourishment by biting her victim with her blade-like mouth. The bites are painful and can cause a considerable loss of blood from the host animal. Horse flies are considered a serious pest as they can transmit infectious anemia in horses.
Deer Fly- The deer fly, in the same family as the horse fly, is also a blood-sucker and can transmit disease. A deer fly bite is usually not as severe as the horse fly’s, but can be very uncomfortable for the horse. The deer fly, like the horse fly, reproduces in moist areas. It can also transmit equine infectious anemia.
Bot Fly- The adult female lays her eggs on the horse, usually in the late summer. Three types of bot larvae hatch at various rates. The common larvae, usually deposited on the horse’s legs, hatch in about 7 days. Because larvae itch, the horse scratches or licks the area, which stimulates larvae development. The nose and lip deposited larvae hatch without stimulation in about 3 days, while the throat larvae bots hatch in about 1 week. All three types migrate to the horse’s tongue and mouth, where they remain embedded for about a month, then pass to the stomach, where they attach themselves for about ten months. The larvae then pass out of the horse in the feces. About a month later, the adult bot emerges to begin the whole cycle once more.
Bot flies are serious pest. The stomach of the horse can rupture if the infestation of larvae is excessive. The larvae can also cause colic or a blockage in the stomach or intestines. Bot flies should never be taken lightly. Most veterinarians agree that the bot fly is the most dangerous flying insect as far as horses are concerned. Along with cleanliness and good stable management, a serious deworming schedule should always be used to guard against the bot fly.
Black Fly- The black fly, commonly referred to as the buffalo gnat, is a tiny creature. Because these pests get into the horses ears, some people also call them ear gnats. By any name, the black fly bites, and feeds on blood, attacking the horse’s ears and leaving them raw, bloody, and irritated. Because these nasty little pests live anywhere there is moving water, they are found in mountain streams, in the lowlands along rivers, and even in the desert if there is irrigation.
Mosquito- Although not of the fly family, mosquitoes are flying insects and can be a bane in the life of a horse, just as they are to people. About 150 species of mosquitoes have been identified and thrive in North America. Apart from their annoying buzzing, their bite stings, more importantly, they transmit disease, including equine encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness) and the West Nile Virus.
Pest Control- Of course, no owner can completely control the fly population, but there are strategies to keep horses as safe and comfortable as possible. The two main areas targeted are the environment and on the animal. Call the Faribault Veterinary Clinic for reliable repellents. We will be happy to answer any questions.
How to keep your horse healthy and happy in hot weather.
Did you know that horses can become dehydrated or get sunburn in hot weather—just like you! Here are a few things you can do to keep your favorite horse or pony healthy and happy in warm weather.
- Make sure she gets enough fresh, clean water every day. Your horse must have a constant source of water in her pasture. A horse may drink more than 10 gallons of water a day.
Check the water trough every day and fill it if it’s low. If the pasture has an automatic waterer, check it once a day to make sure it’s working. Clean out troughs if they fill with algae and turn green.
- Keep a tube of 30-plus sunscreen in the barn and put it on both you and your horse! Horses with white markings on their faces may get sunburn, so you may have to apply sunscreen on a daily basis.
If a horse suffers from severe sunburn, you may have to put a fly mask on her that offers UV protection or keep her in the barn in during daylight hours. You can buy a long mask that covers her nose too.
- Hosing off your horse with water at the end of the day removes the sweat that attracts flies. Plus your horse will find her daily shower refreshing!
- If flies bother your horse, turn her out wearing a fly sheet. This lightweight mesh sheet keeps the flies away from her sensitive areas and it helps prevent her coat from fading in the bright sun.
- If you use a fly mask on your horse, check underneath it every day to make sure your horse hasn’t injured her face or eyes. Keep the mask clean as well. If it gets muddy, hose it off.
- Deworm your horse regularly. Worms thrive in rainy, hot weather conditions.
- If you see your horse in the mornings, apply fly repellent to her coat to help keep flies at bay during the day. If you can’t spray her every day, consider applying a spot-on treatment that repels flies for around 14 days.
- If you spot buckets with dirty water in them dump them out. If you have old tires that collect water in them toss them out. Fix leaky faucets. Standing water makes ideal breeding areas for mosquitoes and these pests can give your horse a disease called the West Nile Virus.
- If you keep your horse inside during the day, buy a fan to hang in her stall. A fan helps keep her cool and it moves air around which cuts down on the flies and mosquitoes that bother your horse. Make sure your horse can’t chew on the cord.
- When you ride in hot weather, be aware of your horse’s behavior. If she starts heaving or sounds like she’s having trouble breathing, she may be overheated. Untack her immediately and hose her down with cool water. If she seems sick call your veterinarian. Warm up your horse gradually in hot weather and walk her around for five or 10 minutes after each workout to cool her down.
- Know how to spot when your horse is dehydrated. It’s easy—do a “pinch test.” Pinch your horse’s skin between your thumb and index finger and then let go. If the skin stays pinched for more than a second, she’s probably dehydrated and she needs to drink water right away.
- Always keep a salt block in your horse’s pasture so she can lick it when she likes. Salt is an essential mineral that a horse loses when she sweats. A horse may sweat a lot in the summer, especially when she’s ridden, so she must be able to lick a salt block whenever she wants. You can buy salt blocks at the feed store.
- Think twice about working your horse when it’s 95 degrees or above. Schedule rides for early in the morning or in the evening when it’s cooled down a bit.
- Check your feed regularly, because sweet feed can get moldy in hot weather and you don’t want to feed it to your horse.
- If you can, provide some shade for your horse out in her field. If it’s really hot, turn her out in a field with a run in shelter or some trees to help keep her out of the sun. She’ll go in a turnout shelter to escape flies too.
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If you spread manure in the summer with a chain harrow, do it when the sun is shining brightly and it’s hot. Heat kills the parasites that live in manure piles. If you drag when it’s muggy and wet, the parasites can live on another day.
Send us a message if you have any questions. CLICK HERE
Faribault Veterinary Clinic 