First Case of West Nile Disease in New Jersey for 2011

   The first equine case of West Nile Disease in New Jersey for 2011 was diagnosed in a mare on October 10th.  The mare, residing in Monmouth County, is being aggressively treated, but the outcome is uncertain.  The West Nile virus, which is transmitted from birds by mosquitoes, is usually fatal in horses.  This horse was not vaccinated.

   The vaccine against West Nile virus has proven very safe and effective since being introduced in 2001.  A single vaccination in late spring (Late April or May) will protect your horse for the entire mosquito season.  In New Jersey, the season for West Nile is from July to mid-November.  If your horse is not current on vaccinations against the mosquito borne diseases (Eastern, Western and West Nile encephalitis), please make arrangements to vaccinate immediately.  A booster vaccination will be necessary next spring.  Click for more information on West Nile Virus or Vaccinations.

RABIES ALERT!

   A case of rabies in a horse has been confirmed in New Jersey. The gelding resided in Salem County and was euthanized and tested on September 17th after showing advanced symptoms since Sept. 16th.  Several other horses on the premises were quarantined and will be monitored for the next 6 months for development of symptoms. The vaccination status of the horses is unknown.  

   Rabies is endemic in New Jersey and we have some of the highest incidences of rabies in the country. This case is the first horse diagnosed this year, but is the eleventh positive equine since January, 1989.  In the first quarter of 2011 (Jan/Feb/March), there were 67 positive animals discovered in New Jersey. 

   In horses, the initial signs can be subtle, and a common sign is the inability to eat.  This causes many owners to reach into or examine the mouth for a foreign object. If there are cuts or open sores on the owner's hands, the rabies virus can be transmitted from horse to human. The disease is almost always fatal in humans. There is a vaccine for horses against rabies. At KME, we believe that every domestic animal should be vaccinated, and especially so for horses because their exposure to wildlife is so common. The vaccine is safe, effective and inexpensive. The vaccine needs to be boostered each year. If your horse is not current on rabies vaccination, please make arrangements immediately to have it done.

   As part of our reproductive services, KME offers on-the-farm embryo transfer.  We can collect from the donor mare and either transfer the embryo into a recipient mare or prepare it for transfer to an off-site recipient.  There is a lot of planning and preparation required, so if you are interested, go to our Embryo Transfer page, or call our office (609/291-0535).

Lameness Locator-High Tech Gait Analysis

    Keenan McAlister Equine was chosen as a beta tester for the Lameness Locator, a computerized gait analysis system that helps with detecting and identifying subtle lameness.  After a year in trial, the system is perfected and now in commercial use.  As one of only two clinics in New Jersey using the Lameness Locator, we are glad that we can offer this innovative service to our clients.  To read more about it, click here.  

   Let me interpret the above headline.  The ruling body of international rated horse shows, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), has banned the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID, such as bute,Banamine and aspirin) in competition horses.  The complete list of banned drugs, as well as all medication rules, can be found on their website "www.fei.org".  In addition, "There's an app for that".  There is a free application for the iPhone (available at the iTunes store) which has all the rules and updates for FEI competition.  There are plans to release other software versions compatible with more smart phones. If you compete in FEI rated shows, the web site and phone application will be very valuable tools.