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PRESS RELEASES
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
FRIDAY, FEB. 23, 2007
|
Contact: |
Dr. Mary
Ann McBride, assistant state veterinarian
NCDA&CS Veterinary Division
(919) 733-7601 |
Troxler
asks N.C. horse owners to be on the lookout
for signs of equine herpes after disease found in Virginia
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is
asking horse owners in North Carolina to watch for symptoms
of a highly contagious equine disease following the positive
diagnosis of a horse in Virginia.
Animal health officials in Virginia and Maryland imposed
quarantines Thursday on four horse farms in Virginia and
eight in Maryland. Horses on these premises might have been
exposed to equine herpes virus, known as EHV-1. The
quarantine means that no horses can leave or enter those
farms.
Dr. David Marshall, North Carolina’s state veterinarian,
said there are no known cases in North Carolina. There also
have been no known movements of horses from the affected
facilities into the state. Marshall advised all N.C. horse
owners to increase their disease awareness and biosecurity
measures as precautions.
The quarantines in Virginia and Maryland were enacted
after a horse at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical
Center in Leesburg, Va., tested positive for a strain of
EHV-1. The hospital, which is owned by Virginia Tech, has
also imposed a quarantine that could last up to 28 days.
Officials in Maryland and Virginia said horses at the
quarantined farms might have come into contact with the
virus while staying at the medical center.
EHV-1 primarily affects the respiratory system of horses,
but can also cause severe neurological disease and death.
Symptoms include fever, coughing, nasal discharge and loss
of balance. The virus is transmitted through body fluids and
does not affect humans. Horses suspected of being sick
should be isolated and examined by a veterinarian
immediately.
Concerned horse owners should contact their private
veterinarian or call the Veterinary Division of the N.C.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (919)
733-7601. Additional information is available on the
department’s Web site, http://www.ncagr.com, under the
“Disease Alert” link. |
1/15/2007
The
Laboratory of Equine Medicine is looking for young to middle aged adult
horses (eg 5 to 15 years old) that represent the following breeds:
Thoroughbred, Standardbred, Paso Fino, Morgan and/or American Saddlebred.
Within these breeds, they need both horses that are lean (body condition
score 4-5) and horses that are obese (body condition score greater than
or equal to 6). The horses must not show any physical evidence of having
Equine Cushing's disease. Some exceptions may be made for horses older
than 15 years old, but less than 20.
The Laboratory will need to know each horse’s exercise schedule, feed
type and schedule including hay and grass, any supplements or
medications, and medical history. Also, the pasture to stall ratio is
important. As much as possible, we will try to choose horses that are on
similar feeding and exercise regimens.
Ideally, Laboratory staff will identify the horses to include in the
study by visiting the farm, performing a body condition score (1-9), a
quick physical exam, and drawing blood to measure the resting ACTH
and/or MSH (to help rule out Cushing's disease).
After those test results are available and the laboratory staff can
verify that the horse does not have Cushing's Disease, then schedule to
return to the farm to perform an Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test (IVGTT)
to measure insulin levels (similar to a diabetic evaluation in humans).
They may also measure the abdominal fat via ultra sound.
Please share this information with anyone that you feel may be
interested and have qualifying horses for the project.
Please contact Heath LaFevers at 919-513-6396 or via email at
heath_lafevers@ncsu.edu for any further questions or clarifications.
D. Heath LaFevers
Laboratory of Equine Medicine, D-321
North Carolina State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
4700 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27606
919-513-6396 - lab
919-513-6336 - fax
heath_lafevers@ncsu.edu
www.ncsu.edu/cvm
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2004
Contact:
Dr. Fred Kirkland, director
Animal Health Programs - Livestock
(919) 733-7601
Horse owners can apply for
interstate health permit
RALEIGH - Horse owners who frequently travel out of state with their
animals for horse shows and festivals can take advantage of a new
agreement between Southern states that will eliminate the need to obtain
monthly animal health certificates.
The agreement between Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Virginia and West Virginia will allow horse owners to apply for an
Equine Event Permit that will be good for up to six months in any of the
listed states. Some states had reciprocal agreements in the past, but
this is the first agreement of its kind in South.
"I think equine owners will appreciate the savings this permit will
offer in both time and money," State Veterinarian Dr. David Marshall
said. "I don't think the extended length of the health certificate will
affect the health of our horses. Event managers will still have the
right to turn away any animal that is visibly sick, and Veterinary
Division personnel will continue to make random health checks at events.
The equine community is very conscious of illnesses and takes the
necessary precautions to prevent the spread of diseases among animals."
To receive a permit, North Carolina horse owners must send proof of a
negative Coggins test and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection along
with an application and a $5 processing fee for each animal to the N.C.
State Veterinarian. Owners must also submit proof of permanent
identification, which includes tattoos, brands, microchips or digital
photos showing the left and right sides, as well as a frontal view, of
the horse. Digital photos will not be accepted as a form of
identification in Louisiana.
The issued permit will be good for six months, unless the Coggins
test expires beforehand. Owners will still be required to carry the
Coggins information and original health certificate with them when they
travel. Owners will also be required to travel with a microchip reader
if the equine is identified by microchip.
The application and more information about the permit can be
downloaded at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services'
Veterinary Division Web site,
www.ncagr.com/vet/, or by calling (919) 733-7601.
Hurricane Preparedness Links
www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extension/horse/hurrican.htm
www.ncagr.com
www.ncsart.org
www.floridahorse.com/hurricane/hurricane.html
EVACUATION SITES
Emergency Stabling Offered in Pinehurst
The
Moore County Equine Emergency Response Unit (MCEERU) has arranged
for temporary emergency stabling for horses who need to be
evacuated because of an approaching hurricane at the Pinehurst
Harness Track.
If you must evacuate there is no need to leave your horses
behind to ride out the storm. When a storm approaches, call to
reserve stall(s) so we know you are coming. Bring your own feed,
bedding, and buckets. Bedding and hay will be available for sale
on the grounds. You will be responsible to care for your own
horse(s). There is no charge for the stalls, but any donation to
the MCEERU would be appreciated. Camping is not permitted on the
grounds, but there are many area motels close by.
ALL HORSES MUST HAVE A CURRENT NEGATIVE EIA CERTIFICATE (COGGINS).
Horses will not be allowed on the grounds without proof of
negative EIA. Call 910/215-9536 or 910/947-6858 to reserve a
stall. (This contact is only for emergency stabling reservations
and information)
North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
As of 9-17, some stalls are still available. All stalls at
the fairgrounds need to be reserved by calling 919-733-4845. There
will be a fee of $20. per horse.
Sen. Bob Martin Ag Center, Williamston
Some stalls are still available at $10. per horse, per day. Call 252-792-5802 for
information. Stalls are on a first come basis.
Western NC Ag. Center, Fletcher
Stalls available at $10. per horse. Call 828-687-1414 for
information and reservations.
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