Kern Road Veterinary Clinic

NEWSLETTER WINTER/SPRING 2005

It hardly seems possible that we are already in the second month of 2005. Time seems to fly and 2004 was such a busy year that it seems to have come and gone faster than most years. Here at Kern Road Veterinary Clinic, PLLC the year was busier than most years. We spent the early part of 2004 preparing to move into our new clinic. On April 7, 2004 we opened our doors at the new clinic and have been enjoying being here and adapting to our new clinic since. We thank all of our clients and patients for your patience as we moved.

Many changes that are less apparent that we have made to try to provide better service and medicine for our clients have also taken place. Our computer system has been upgraded to better handle appointments, record keeping and communications. We have attempted to upgrade our telephone communication system. Our in-house laboratory equipment has been upgraded to better serve our patients. We are also constantly trying to utilize our staff to better and more efficiently serve our clients. Several of you have made suggestions as to how we can better serve our clients and we have tried to implement those suggestions. Your suggestions are appreciated and welcome. If you do have comments or suggestions, please let us know and we will do all we can to improve our service.



Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak At Northville Downs

In December of 2004 two horses at Northville Downs were diagnosed with Equine Herpes Virus-1. This disease is the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus, frequently referred to as Rhinopneumonitis. Both horses were euthanized and the barn was quarantined for 21 days. Shortly after the quarantine was lifted another horse in a different barn was diagnosed with the disease. This barn was also quarantined. The positive horse was euthanized and the other horses in the barn were shipped to an isolated facility away form the track. Again, shortly after the quarantine was lifted another horse in a different barn was diagnosed with the disease. The entire grounds at Northville Downs was then quarantined and no horses were allowed to enter or leave. This quarantine will be in effect until February 22nd.

The neurological form of EHV-1 is not as well understood as we would like it to be. The test that is being used to detect the presence of EHV-1 is a PCR test that identifies the DNA of the virus. However, this test is not specific for the neurological form of EHV-1 and might identify the respiratory/abortion strain as well as the neurological strain. There is also question as to whether a recently vaccinated horse might test positive. If a horse tests positive and is showing neurological signs it probably has the neurological disease. If a horse shows no neurological signs but has a fever and respiratory symptoms and tests positive there is legitimate question whether the horse has the neurological disease or not. At this time the PCR test is the most specific test we have. There is an antibody test but it is no more specific than the PCR. The antibody test measures the level of antibody in the blood, but since many horses have been in contact with the disease or been vaccinated for it they will test positive on the antibody test and may not have the disease.

The disease is thought to be spread by horses that have had the disease, recovered and now harbor the virus without showing symptoms. At some point they can shed the virus into the environment and infect other horses. The virus can be spread by aerosol (coughing) or by transfer on other objects (people, brushes, bits, tack, straw, trailers and whatever else the shedding horse comes in contact with). Since the virus does not live long in the environment, cleaning and sanitizing things that come in contact with the infected horse and not allowing them to come in contact with healthy horses is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease.

The quandary that the Michigan horse industry is in is that we have had neurological horses at Northville Downs that have tested positive. So far the exact source of the disease and the transmission have not been identified positively. Since the test is not specific for the neurological disease we do not know with certainty that the last horse to test positive has the neurological disease.

The State Veterinarians office has quarantined Northville Downs and no horses are allowed in or out until the source of the disease is determined. Based on current knowledge this is the reasonable action to take.

Because the virus is endemic in the horse population, the test is not specific for the neurological strain of the disease and recently vaccinated horses may possibly show positive on the PCR test, the task of proving when the disease is no longer a threat is very difficult if at all possible.

THE BEST WAY TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THIS DISEASE IS TO STRICTLY MONITOR THE MOVEMENT OF HORSES AND TO TAKE ALL PRECAUTIONS TO LIMIT THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS DISEASE.

The State Veterinarian,s Office has now announced that Northville Downs Racetrack will be closed for racing and quarantined until March 1, 2005. All horses entering any Michigan racetrack must have written proof of vaccination for EHV-1.



WEST NILE ENCEPHALITIS


Last year (2004) saw a decrease in the cases of West Nile Encephalitis in Michigan. The disease continues nation wide to appear sporadically and not follow any predetermined pattern. California and New Mexico had substantial outbreaks of both human and equine cases. The disease is spread by mosquitoes biting birds that are carrying the virus that causes the disease and then biting other susceptible species (humans, horses, other birds, etc.). Because birds carry the virus, outbreaks of the disease follow the migratory flyways. This would explain why the disease is sporadic and does not follow a linear progression. Once the disease is established in a bird population as it has been in the North American population, there is always the threat of outbreaks. We recommend vaccinating twice per year to help prevent this disease and also taking all the precautions possible to help prevent mosquito exposure.



SPRING IMMUNIZATIONS


With spring rapidly approaching we are frequently asked about which vaccinations we recommend. Our recommendations have not changed dramatically from last year. Although research into the efficacy of vaccines and the frequency of vaccination is ongoing and some of the results are not consistent with traditional vaccination protocols, we continue to recommend a rigorous vaccination schedule. Our reason for recommending rigorous vaccination is that we continue to see an overall decrease in clinical disease in vaccinated horses. We see horses living much longer productive lives and attribute part of that to being healthier. Many factors are involved in the longevity of a horse and the factors that we have control over we should be diligent about. These include disease prevention (vaccination), parasite control (deworming), dental care, nutrition and housing.



COGGINS TESTING


Michigan law requires that all equines that travel and are commingled in Michigan must have a Coggins test that is current within the calendar year. Due to recent events such as the EHV-1 cases at Northville Downs it becomes increasingly important that information on the Coggins test be accurate. We know how difficult it is to have completely accurate information strictly by memory. Most of our clients have been extremely helpful by having forms filled out when the test is drawn. We try to fax or mail the forms ahead of time but this is not always possible (mail may be too slow or fax machine is not available) so we are attempting to put a form that can be downloaded from or website. Hopefully by the time this newsletter reaches you the form will be available at kernroadvet.com.

We want to thank all who have shipped their horses in for treatment and things like vaccination and Coggins testing and encourage everyone to ship in when possible.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us as we do appreciate all comments.