State sees first EEE cases of the year in horses

          Equine owners encouraged to vaccinate animals  

        

RALEIGH - Two horses have been confirmed this week as having died after contracting Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis within the past two weeks. EEE is a mosquito-borne disease that is preventable in equine by vaccination.
          The unvaccinated horses - an 18-month-old Paint from Carteret County and a 3-year-old Quarter horse from Bladen County - exhibited signs of generalized weakness, stumbling, depression and inability to stand or eat. The Carteret County horse was euthanized July 21, and the Bladen County horse died Aug. 2.
          They are the first reported cases of EEE in horses in North Carolina this year. Earlier this summer, New Hanover County officials reported that the disease was found in a sentinel chicken flock. The state recorded 15 EEE cases in horses in 2013.
          "If your horses exhibit any symptoms of EEE, contact your veterinarian immediately," said State Veterinarian David Marshall. "Several serious contagious diseases, such as West Nile virus, equine herpes virus and rabies, have similar symptoms and should be ruled out."
          EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for signs of the disease to appear.
          Marshall recommends that equine owners talk to their veterinarians about an effective vaccination protocol to protect horses from EEE and another mosquito-borne disease, West Nile virus. The vaccinations initially require two shots, 30 days apart, for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. Marshall recommends a booster shot every six months.
          Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to manufacturers' instructions.
          People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.

Bravo! Dog and Cat Food Recall

On May 14, 2014, Bravo! LLC of Manchester, CT announced it is recalling some of its raw dog and cat foods due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Where Was the Product Sold?

The recalled product was distributed nationwide to retail stores, internet retailers and directly to consumers. The product can be identified by the batch ID code (Best Used By date) printed on the side of the plastic tube or on a label on the box.

What's Being Recalled?

The recalled products include:

1) These products are being recalled because they may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

• PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! BEEF BLEND FOR DOGS AND CATS (Made in New Zealand)
  All 2lb., 5lb., and 10lb. tubes
  Product Numbers: 52-102, 52-105, 52-110
  Best Used By Date: 10/10/15 or earlier 
• PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! BEEF BLEND FOR DOGS AND CATS (Made in New Zealand)
  All 2lb., 5lb., and 10lb. tubes
  Product Numbers: 52-102, 52-105, 52-110
  Best Used By Date: 10/10/15 or earlier

2) These products are being recalled out of an abundance of caution because while they did not test positive for pathogens, they were manufactured in the same manufacturing facility or on the same day as products that did test positive.

• PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! LAMB BLEND FOR DOGS AND CATS (Made in New Zealand)
  All 2lb., 5lb., and 10lb. tubes
  Product Numbers: 42-102, 42-105, 42-110
  Best Used By Date: 10/10/15 or earlier 
• PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! LAMB BASIC FOR DOGS AND CATS (Made in New Zealand)
  2lb. tubes
  Product Number: 42-202
  Best Used By Date: 10/10/15 or earlier 
• PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! BEEF & BEEF HEART FOR DOGS AND CATS (Made in New Zealand)
  5lb. tubes
  Product Number: 53-130
  Best Used By Date: 10/10/15 or earlier 
• PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! 100% PURE & NATURAL PREMIUM GRASS-FED BUFFALO FOR DOGS AND CATS (Manufactured by: Bravo! Manchester, CT)
  NET WT 2LBS (32 OZ) .91KG (Tubes)
  Product Number: 72-222
  Best Used By Date: 1/7/16 
• PRODUCT: BRAVO! TURKEY BALANCE FORMULA (Manufactured by: Bravo! Manchester, CT)
  NET WT 2 LBS (32 OZ) .09KG, Chub (tube)
  Product Number: 31-402
  Best Used By Dates: 1/7/16 and 2/11/16
  NET WT 5 LBS (80 OZ) 2.3KG, Chub (tube)
  Product Number: 31-405
  Best Used By Dates: 1/7/16 and 2/11/16 
• PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! LAMB BLEND FOR DOGS AND CATS (Manufactured by: Bravo! Manchester, CT)
  5 LBS (80 OZ) 2.3KG, Chub (tube)
  Product Number: 42-105
  Best Used By Date: 2/11/16

Reason for the Recall

The company has received a limited number of reports of dogs experiencing nausea and diarrhea that may be associated with these specific products. The company has received no reports of human illness as a result of these products. Bravo discontinued all manufacturing in New Zealand on October 10, 2013. Bravo will immediately start working with distributors and retailers to properly dispose of any affected product left on freezer shelves. The company will also be announcing the recall to pet owners to ensure they dispose of any affected product that has been purchased.
Bravo is issuing this action out of an abundance of caution and sincerely regrets any inconvenience to pet owners as a result of this announcement.

What to Do?

Advise your clients that the recalled product should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners who have the affected product at home should dispose of this product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle). Customers can return to the store where purchased and submit the Product Recall Claim Form available on the Bravo website www.bravopetfoods.com for a full refund or store credit. More information on the Bravo dog food recall can also be found at bravopetfoods.com by calling Bravo toll free at 866-922-9222.

What Vaccines Does My Horse Need?

There is no vaccination program that is appropriate for every horse, every time.  Our goal is to appropriately vaccinate your horse against fatal diseases (core vaccines) and diseases they may come in contact with based on their "job" (non-core vaccines).  Our vaccine programs follow the recommendations of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.  These are recommendations for healthy adult horses who have been vaccinated appropriately in the past.  If you have a new horse with unknown vaccination history, a new foal or pregnant mare our recommendations differ slightly.  We will coordinate a specific program for your individual horse based on their age, overall health, and risk factors!  

Core vaccines protect against diseases that are commonly occur in your region, are virulent or highly contagious, pose a risk of severe or FATAL disease, or have potential public health significance. 

Tetanus is often a fatal disease caused by a potent neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani (C. tetani).  C. tetani organisms are present in the intestinal tract and feces of animals and in the soil.  Spores of C. tetani survive in the environment for many years, resulting in an ever-present risk of exposure of horses and people on equine facilities. Tetanus is not a contagious disease but is the result of C. tetani infection in wounds or exposed tissues such as the umbilicus of foals and reproductive tract of the postpartum mare.  Signs of tetanus include colic, lameness, stiff gait, extended head posture, muscle spasms, recumbency, profuse sweating, and death.

• Annual revaccination
• Revaccinate immediately after a sustained wound or major surgery

Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis are transmitted from birds to horses by mosquitoes.  These viruses cause high fever and progressive neurologic signs (depression, incoordination, staggering, paralysis, stupor) in horses.  The disease is commonly known as sleeping sickness because severely depressed horses will hang their head low with drooping ears, eyelids swollen and partly closed, and tongue hanging from their mouth.  Almost all infected horses die.

• Annual revaccination must be completed prior to vector season in the spring
• Revaccinate at 6 month intervals in areas where mosquitoes are active year-round

Rabies is transmitted to horses through bites from other infected animals, usually wildlife.  Infected horses may appear colicky, have an unexplained incoordination or shifting leg lameness that is followed by extreme weakness.  Animals will eventually become recumbent, followed by coma and seizures.  The disease is rapidly fatal and has considerable public health significance.

• Annual revaccination

West Nile Virus is also transmitted from birds to horses by mosquitoes.  Initial signs are mild fever, decreased appetite, and depression followed by rapid onset of personality changes and muscle tremors.  Neurologic signs are often present and can range from a short, slow-stilted gait to complete paralysis.  30% of infected horses die.

Annual revaccination must be completed prior to vector season in the spring

 

Non-core (risk-based) vaccines are selected based on assessment of risk.  They will vary between individual horses, populations, and geographic location. 

Rhinopneumonitis (Equine Herpesvirus type 1 and type 4) causes respiratory disease characterized by fever, lethargy, anorexia, nasal discharge, and cough.  EHV-1 can potentially cause neurologic disease and abortions.

• Annual revaccination for horses over 5 years (for horses less than 5 years of age revaccinate every 6 months)

Equine Influenza is one of the most common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of horses.  It is a highly contagious disease that spreads rapidly from infected animals or equipment.  Signs include nasal discharge, fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, and cough.

• Annual revaccination for most horses (horses constantly at risk for exposure should be revaccinated every 6 months)

Potomac Horse Fever is an intestinal disease caused by Neorickettsia risticii, an intracellular parasite.  Signs are variable but may include fever, mild to severe diarrhea, laminitis, mild colic, decreased gut sounds, and abortion in mares infected during gestation.  The disease is seasonal, occurring between late spring and early fall, with most cases in July, August, and September at the onset of hot weather.  If the disease has been diagnosed on a farm it is likely that additional cases will occur in future years.

• Revaccination at 6-12 month intervals (3-4 month intervals in endemic areas) 

Strangles is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi.  It is transmitted by direct contact with infected horses or equipment.  Signs include fever, difficulty chewing feed, decreased appetite, swelling below jaw, and nasal discharge.

• Revaccination at 6-12 month intervals 

Give us a call today to schedule vaccines for your horses or if you have questions about what vaccines your horse needs!

Traumatic Reticuloperitonitis aka Hardware Disease

Hardware disease occurs after cattle ingest pieces of metal such as nails, screws, or wire.  The disease occurs more frequently in cows than other ruminants, like sheep and goats, because they take large mouthfuls of food, often swallow without any chewing and they don't use their lips to discriminate between different types of feed.  After being ingested, foreign bodies will move into the rumen and within 24-28 hours will move into the reticulum where they remain thanks to gravity.

 

The reticulum is the second compartment in a cow's stomach and any piece of metal that perforates the wall will release partially digested feed and bacteria into the abdomen.  This causes peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen).  If the piece of metal is long enough it can pierce through the reticulum, diaphragm, and into the heart.

Animals with hardware disease have a typical appearance, stop eating, decrease milk production, have a fever, elevated heart and respiratory rates, and pass small amounts of dry feces due to decreased intestinal motility.  Forced sudden movements as well as defecating, urinating, lying down, and getting up may be accompanied by groaning.  This classic grunt can provoked by firmly pinching the withers (the area directly below the word diaphragm in the 1st picture).

Classic appearance of a cow with hardware: arched back, anxious 

expression, reluctance to move, elbows turned out

Treatment of hardware usually depends on the severity of the disease and value of the animal.  Typical treatment includes administration of a magnet and antibiotics.  Surgical options are also available.

Preventive measures include avoiding the use of baling wire, passing feed over magnets to remove metallic objects, keeping cattle away from sites of new construction, and completely removing old buildings and fences.  All animals over 1 year should receive a bar magnet that will remain in the reticulum and attach to any ingested metal.

 

There are a variety of inexpensive magnets available for cattle.

If you believe hardware may be an issue in your herd or would like help taking preventive measures to prevent problems give us a call!