2006: A Year in Equine Health News
These are the most newsworthy events and advances in equine health care featured in the magazine in 2006:
- Topics: Article, Horse Industry News
As 2006 rides into the sunset, the staff of The Horse takes a look back at the biggest and most beloved stories of the year.
These are the most newsworthy events and advances in equine health care featured in the magazine in 2006:
January
Workshop examines vaccines, patterns, and interspecies transmission
The face of equine influenza is evolving, and so must our understanding of its behavior and the vaccines that protect against it. Updating flu vaccines, transmission of flu between horses and dogs, and flu mutation were featured topics in an Equine Influenza Workshop held Nov. 3-6 in Miami, Fla. An international group of scientists, vaccine manufacturers, and government officials chaired by Jenny Mumford, PhD, director of science at the U.K.’s Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, shared research notes and discussed handling flu as it changes.
February
Scientists Test Chimera Vaccine
New research model proves WNV vaccine safe and effective
A new research model has been successfully used to test a new type of West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine. Maureen Long, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, assistant professor at the University of Florida, proved a chimera vaccine was safe and effective using the model developed by Dick Bowen, DVM, PhD, of Colorado State University. Long presented her findings on Dec. 5, 2005, at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention in Seattle, Wash.
She said scientists have been limited in testing WNV vaccines in recent years because until now, they were unable to consistently infect an unvaccinated (control) horse with WNV and cause consistent clinical signs.
March
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Owners should use biosecurity measures; it’s not just a “racetrack disease”
The neurologic form of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) has been diagnosed in at least five different states in January and February. While many of the cases were detected at racetracks, it is important to note that this not a disease limited to the racing industry–any horse facility can be affected by this illness. Using stringent biosecurity measures is the best way to help ensure that the virus does not emerge or spread at a facility or farm.
April
HSUS Requests Injunction to Halt Horsemeat Inspections
Says new rule goes against Congressional intent to end slaughter
On Feb. 14, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other groups filed suit against the USDA to prevent equine slaughterhouses from using fee-for-service inspections of horsemeat.
May
Texas Fires Kill Horses, Cattle
Panhandle blazes consume more than 800,000 acres
Quenching rains over the weekend of March 18 slowed the progress of Texas panhandle fires that consumed more than 800,000 acres of land and killed an estimated 10,000 head of livestock in less than a week. At least 30 horses in the McLean area of Texas succumbed to smoke or flames.
June
Cloning Success Rates Increase
Five of 13 cloned embryos of champion cutting horse carried to term
Three years after the birth of the first cloned mule and horse, scientists are reporting improvements in the number of viable cloned equine embryos that are carried to term. A Texas A&M University (TAMU) researcher says that five clones of cutting horse champion stallion Smart Little Lena are on the ground and thriving, along with a clone of a second donor horse. Two more clones from a third donor were expected to arrive in May. These births and pregnancies represent a staggering success rate because historically, it has taken many more cloned embryos to produce a live foal.
July
Sustains serious fractures in Preakness, undergoes surgery at New Bolton
Barbaro’s breakdown after the start of the May 20 Preakness Stakes captured the concern of horse owners and enthusiasts watching on network television and at the Baltimore, Md., track. Equine veterinary medicine was catapulted into the spotlight, and the welfare of one animal became front-page fodder in newspapers across the country.
August
Researchers disagree on possible role of infectious disease in abortions
Oregon State University (OSU) researchers announced on June 23 that they linked vesiviruses to abortions seen during Central Kentucky’s bout with mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) in 2001 and concluded that vesivirus-specific reagents should be included in the diagnostic panel for aborting mares. A University of Kentucky (UK) scientist disagrees with the findings, cautioning that a more causative relationship needs to be established before labs put tests in place.
September
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Barbaro “Stable,” Has Laminitis
Rests “comfortably” at New Bolton
In early- to mid-July, Barbaro developed “acute, severe” laminitis in his uninjured left hind foot, and his prognosis for recovery was pronounced “poor” by Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, chief of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa.
In the weeks following this announcement, New Bolton officials have consistently reported the colt is “stable,” with good vital signs and a strong appetite. The bandage on the laminitic foot has been changed daily and the foot checked for infection.
October
Equine VS Cases Confirmed in Wyoming
Country’s first VS detections in 2006
On Aug. 17, the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory announced the first confirmed U.S. case of vesicular stomatitis (VS) in 2006. The primary case, a 10-year-old horse, is located near Casper in Natrona County. A second case was confirmed a few days later in Converse County.
Donal O’Toole, MVB, MRCVS, PhD, Dipl. ECVP, FRCPath, director of the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory and head of the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, reported federal authorities are examining at least 11 more suspect cases in the state. Test results are pending at the USDA’s National Veterinary Service Laboratories (NVSL). The last VS outbreak in the United States involved nine western states in 2005, and was formally declared over on April 11, 2006.
November
House Votes to Ban Horse Slaughter
A similar bill awaits hearing in Senate
In an act that went against the recommendations of the Secretary of Agriculture and two prominent veterinary groups, on Sept. 7 Congress voted 263-146 to end horse slaughter in the United States. House members also defeated two amendments that were added to the bill by members of the Agricultural Subcommittee.
December
Double-Decker Disaster Leaves 17 of 42 Horses Dead
Humane Society trying to obtain custody of 25 survivors
A truck carrying 42 horses bound for slaughter overturned early Sept. 27 on Interstate 44 in Franklin County, Mo. Seventeen horses died immediately or were later euthanatized due to extensive injuries, and the remaining 24 horses and a hinny are in the care of area veterinarians and the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO), which directed the rescue effort at the scene. The HSMO is currently trying to obtain custody of the animals from the horse owner’s insurance company.
Although the following stories didn’t make it to the top in the magazine, they have retained a special place in our memories of 2006:
Kimberly S. Brown, Editor:
“Not one article, but one topic: Barbaro
Barbaro exemplifies the best our industry has to offer: A brave champion who is beating the odds, caring owners, teams of medical professionals who dedicated their lives around the clock to the equine hero, an outpouring of caring from horse lovers around the world, and a happy ending (so far). What more could you ask?!”
Chad Mendell, Managing Editor:
“Keeping a horse’s hoof healthy is probably the single most important thing you can do as a horse owner. Good Hoof Gone Bad describes what can go wrong in a healthy hoof (laminitis, white line disease, thrush, etc.) and the latest treatment options for each. It doesn’t matter what discipline your ride or what breed of horse you have–no hoof, no horse.”
Stephanie L. Church, Copy/Features Editor:
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