Equine

Louisville, Ky.-A third of a billion dollars is the price tag on the Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS), which wreaked havoc on the Kentucky horse industry last spring, according to a recently published economic report.

Dr. Jerry Black, 1971 DVM graduate of Colorado State University, surmises that the daily planners of the new generation of veterinary graduates do not look like his did 30 years ago. The incoming president and 20-year member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) acknowledges the new generation has "different priorities. "

Washington-Financial and legislative efforts tied to mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) have done more than bend some ears on Capitol Hill, according to The Horse Interactive.

Kentucky-Construction of a podiatry and reproduction facility is under way at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.

Columbus, Ohio-Are the risk factors in mares with late-gestation and early fetal losses in central Kentucky also applicable to the outbreak in southeastern Ohio?

Lexington, Ky.-A new "hybrid" theory has recently surfaced suggesting a blend of caterpillars, molds and the right timing during gestation might have caused the springtime late-term abortions and early fetal losses, called mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS), according to The Horse Interactive.

The Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (AVD), providing fellowship status to qualifying small animal veterinarians for 13 years, has drafted a plan to extend such status to its equine colleagues.

This has been a difficult year for horses and weather. First we had spring forest fires in the west that lead to emergency evacuations and disruption of pastureland for horses in that area.

NEWPORT, TENN.- Dr. John Chambers knows when to back away from an angry cat. He learned after losing a fingertip.

Raleigh, N.C. - A new non-invasive test, developed by researchers at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, can detect pulmonary problems in horses.

Atlanta - Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin would like to "move up in line" to receive the USDA-approved vaccine for West Nile Virus, following confirmation of the virus in a horse in the state.

Carbondale, Ill. - The plant-based sugar, mannose, can cure and prevent endometritis, a uterine infection causing mare infertility, a scientist reports.

The striped skunk is being monitored closely by researchers who believe the animal serves as an intermediate host for Sarcocystis neurona, a parasite that causes equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in horses.

Eau Claire, Wis.- Following news that 18 horses in northwestern Wisconsin recently died from a suspected Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) outbreak, Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt, Wisconsin's assistant state veterinarian, blames insufficient vaccination.

ROCKVILLE, MD.- The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Equine '98 study deviates from prior scientific reports of Salmonella and the U.S. horse population,

East Lansing, Mich.-At least six of every 10 horses in the state of Michigan have been exposed to Sarcocystis neurona, the parasite responsible for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), according to study results from researchers at Michigan State University.

Rockville, Md.-The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Equine '98 study deviates from prior scientific reports of Salmonella and the U.S. horse population, namely because of the horses it sampled, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Fort Collins, Colo.-The first-ever foals produced from eggs harvested from a mare, frozen and then thawed, were born in mid-July at Colorado State University's Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory.

Shawnee Mission, Kan.- Bayer announces it has received approval from the Center of Veterinary Medicine of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Marquis (15 percent w/w ponazuril) Antiprotozoal Oral Paste for the treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Marquis offers equine veterinarians and their clients the first FDA-approved treatment for EPM, combining safety, efficacy and convenience, the company says.

Though on a much smaller scale, several of Kentucky's closest neighbors - Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia - have reported incidents that may be associated with the Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS), which plagued Kentucky's mares and foals throughout April and May.

DVMs sort through endless discussions of caterpillars and cherry trees in search of final answer to perplexing horse syndrome

Sequence of environmental conditions set the stage for foal abortions, research says

Examinations on three farms of 150 Thoroughbred yearlings indicated no sign of pericarditis, Dr. Doug Byars, head of the internal medicine unit at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee veterinary practice in Lexington, Ky., reported to The Bloodhorse.

Lexington, Ky.-Lori Roberts is named director of education for the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

The National Animal Health Monitoring System releases the Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis technical report electronically as well as in hard copy form to government and industry officials nationwide.

Atlanta-Forty-one horses are under quarantine in northern Georgia following exposure to equine infectious anemia, reports Tommy Irvin, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner.

Brookfield, Wis.-The International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame honors two in the horse healthcare field for their emphasis on foot care.

Four veterinarians who specialize in the care of the Thoroughbred athlete are new spokespersons for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) "On Call" program.

Columbia, Mo.- Hollywood sank the Titanic on the big screen with the same technology that may transform treatment of equine lameness, researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia (UM) report.

Three veterinarians will share grant money totaling $18,818 to pursue research projects benefiting equine medicine.