Horse owners have many choices available these days for breeding options. With the availability of shipped cooled semen and frozen semen for certain breeds, stallions across the nation and internationally are now accessible for breeding to mares.

Disease prevention is a top priority and the Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division is responsible for regulating import requirements for live animal shipments, semen, and biologics for the state.

For breeds allowing shipped cooled semen, the Montana import requirements for stallions include an Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test current within the past 6 months, an Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) test current within the past 6 months, and a general health inspection current within the past 6 months. A permit issued from the Department of Livestock is also required. These regulations must be met prior to the shipment of semen.

Equine Infectious Anemia, sometimes referred to as Swamp Fever, is an infectious and potentially fatal viral disease. There is no vaccine or treatment available for the disease. Primarily transmitted by insects, the animal can be acutely or chronically infected. Animals in the acute stage may develop severe signs and die within 2 to 3 weeks. This may be the most difficult stage to diagnose as signs appear rapidly and often only an elevated body temperature is noted. One-fifth of a teaspoon of blood from a horse with acute EIA contains enough virus to infect 1 million horses. Chronically infected horses may develop recurring clinical signs such as fever, petechial (blood spots on the mucous membranes) hemorrhages, depression, weight loss, dependent edema, anemia, or irregular heartbeat. Equids testing positive have very few options, with most being euthanized.

Equine Viral Arteritis is an acute, contagious respiratory and abortion disease characterized by fever; depression; dependent edema especially of the limbs, scrotum, and prepuce in the stallion; conjunctivitis; nasal discharge; and infrequently, death in young foals. Outbreaks are not always characterized by clinical signs, the majority of cases are asymptomatic. The virus can be transmitted venereally by the acutely infected mare or the acutely or chronically infected carrier stallion. Mares can be infected venereally either by natural service or artificial insemination with infective semen, causing abortion or passing the disease on to the unborn foal, which consequently dies. Carrier stallions are viral reservoirs with the virus being shed constantly in the semen. The infection rate by a carrier stallion is up to 85% of the susceptible mares to which they are bred. Acutely affected stallions may suffer from a period of short-term subfertility.

In an effort to facilitate shipments of semen without compromising the integrity of disease control programs and allowing for the limited time-frame semen is shipped, the Animal Health Division has created an Annual Equine Semen Import Permit. The permit is a single sheet application and is completed and returned back to the Animal Health Division prior to any semen needing to be shipped. Copies of the current EIA and EVA tests along with verification of the most current health inspection must accompany the application. Upon receipt of the application and supporting paperwork, a permit number is issued and a copy returned back to the stallion manager. A copy of the permit is required to be included with each shipment of semen. The permit is applicable per stallion so each individual animal must have a permit. There is no charge for the application or permit.

Horse Travel Requires Permits and More

(HELENA) -- The amount of horse-related travel into and around Montana increases in the spring, and the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) has guidelines to ensure the health, safety and ownership of all animals involved.  The guidelines apply to horses coming into the state, leaving the state, and traveling from county to county within Montana.         

Several items are required before a person can bring a horse into the state, according to Montana State Veterinarian Dr. Tom Linfield, and they have certain time requirements attached to them. 

A current certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI), also known as a “health certificate,” issued by an accredited veterinarian in the state of origin is needed. To be a current CVI, it must have been issued within 10 days of the veterinary exam and is only valid for the 30 days following that exam before bringing a horse into Montana.

A negative equine infectious anemia (EIA) test that has been performed in the past 12 months is also required.  The negative EIA test results, test date, and the name of the laboratory conducting the EIA test must be included on the CVI. 

A Montana import permit, issued by the DOL, is required and can be obtained within 10 days prior to transporting a horse into Montana by calling the DOL at 406-444-2976.  This is a 24-hour service. 

In addition, a brand inspection is required for horses entering Montana, as well as those traveling within Montana.  If the state of origin does not have a brand inspection available, one may be obtained upon arrival in Montana by contacting the local sheriff’s office for referral to a brand inspector. 

For complete brand laws and requirements, and a list of brand inspectors, horse owners can call the DOL’s Brands Enforcement Division at 406-444-2045.  The information is also available on the DOL web page at www.mt.gov/liv.   

For Montanans leaving the state with a horse and returning, a CVI is needed for the horse.  This certificate must be issued by an accredited Montana veterinarian and is valid for 30 days to one destination.  A current negative EIA test, a re-entry permit, and a lifetime brand inspection are also required.  A lifetime brand inspection is valid for crossing state lines and is recognized by most states.  The annual brand inspection is valid for crossing county lines within the state only.  An annual re-entry permit is also available for those taking multiple trips outside the state each year.  The annual permit is valid for a calendar year and expires on Dec. 31. 

        Horse owners should always check the brand and health requirements for the states they will be traveling to prior to departure.  “During certain times of the year, there may be disease outbreaks, either in Montana or destination states,” Dr. Linfield said.  “If travel includes one or more states where disease is occurring, additional restrictions may apply to enter those states and for return to Montana.”  In addition, some states require a negative EIA test within 6 months, rather than within 12 months.

For residents and horses traveling within the state, a brand inspection is required to cross county lines.  The inspection may be either a trip permit, an annual inspection that expires 12 months from the date it is issued, or a lifetime brand inspection that is valid for the entire time the listed owner retains ownership of the horse.
        For imported horses, a current negative EIA, or coggins test, is required because of the severity of the disease and because the disease is contagious.  EIA, also known as Swamp fever, is a viral disease, most often transmitted by biting flies, such as horse flies or deer flies.  The disease is characterized by intermittent fever, depression, progressive weakness, weight loss, edema, and progressive or transitory anemia, as well as occasional neurological manifestations.  The virus causes a lifetime infection in horses and there is no cure for EIA. 

“It is also recommended that a buyer obtain a recent negative EIA test on any horse purchased,” Dr. Linfield  added.  An EIA test is not required on change of ownership within the state, but will help prevent inadvertent spread of the disease.  In addition, some shows, events or sales within Montana may require that participating horses have current negative EIA tests.

For more information contact:
_____________________________

Karen R. Cooper, APR
Public Information Officer
Montana Department of Livestock
PO Box 202001
Helena, MT 59620-2001
406-444-9431
406-444-4316 fax
kcooper@mt.gov
*** please note new email address
      for your records ***
_______________________

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY VETERINARIANS REPORT UNUSUAL RISE IN CASES OF PIGEON FEVER AMONG COLORADO HORSES

FORT COLLINS - Equine veterinarians at Colorado State University's James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital report a serious increase in the number of cases of pigeon fever they have treated since early fall and warn horse owners to be alert for signs of the highly contagious disease. Seventy-six cases from Colorado's Front Range have been confirmed by the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory since early fall, more than six times the number of cases from last year's total of 12 confirmed cases and far above the seven confirmed cases in 2000."What was once considered a disease of California horses is now a growing problem for the Colorado equine population," said Andrea Torres, veterinarian and microbiology resident who conducted a study of the disease in Colorado in 2000-2001. "The increased number of confirmed cases may be due to a more educated horse-owning public and/or to more veterinarians being aware of the disease and testing for it."Torres and other veterinarians at the hospital point out that the signs of pigeon fever can also initially resemble those of other diseases such as strangles. Sometimes the only initial signs are lameness and a reluctance to move.Pigeon fever, also called pigeon breast, breastbone fever, false strangles, dryland strangles or dryland distemper, is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and is found worldwide. It can strike a horse of any age, sex or breed, but usually attacks young adult animals. There is a low incidence in foals.It has also been diagnosed in cattle, and a similar disease affects sheep and goats. The disease is not transmissible to humans (Note: Information from Utah State University and Dr Bowen, a veterinarian from KY said it can be transmissible to humans, but is rare and only in patients with suppressed immune systems, such as an AIDs patient. It’s still is good to wear gloves or wash your hands after being close to the lesions). Humans can carry the infectious agent on shoes, clothing, hands or barn tools and transfer it to another animal.Clinical signs include lameness, fever, lethargy and weight loss and usually is accompanied by very deep abscesses and multiple sores along the chest, midline and groin area and, sometimes, the back. Abscesses also can develop internally.The disease is called pigeon fever because infected animals often develop abscesses in their pectoral muscles, which swell and resemble a pigeon's chest. Although the disease is considered seasonal, with most cases occurring in early fall, a number of cases have been confirmed during winter months and other times of the year as well.The causative bacteria live in the soil and can enter the animal's body through wounds, broken skin or through mucous membranes. Additionally, some researchers believe pigeon fever may be transmitted by flies.The disease occurs in three forms: external abscesses, internal abscesses and limb infection, also known as ulcerative lymphangitis. The most common forms are external abscess and lymphangitis, with the prognosis of a full recovery being generally good. Internal abscesses are much more difficult to treat."Because this disease is so highly contagious, it is very important that veterinarians accurately diagnose these cases to tailor treatment and control," said Torres."Horse owners should be aware of the clinical signs and understand that veterinary care must be timely. Infected horses should be isolated, the abscesses properly treated and the drainage properly disposed of. The area where the infected horse is kept must be properly cleaned and completely disinfected because this is a very hardy bacterium. Pest control is extremely important"As a service to horse owners, Colorado State's equine veterinarians have created a fact sheet on pigeon fever (attached) that is posted on the Colorado State University website at www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth and www.colostate.edu on the news page.

FACT SHEET: PIGEON FEVER IN EQUINES

Common Names:
Pigeon fever, pigeon breast, breastbone fever, dryland distemper, dryland strangles, false strangles, false distemperGeographic Incidence: Endemic to California, but now found in most Western states in the U.S.Seasonal: Usually appears in late fall but can appear sporadically at any time of year.

Cause: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Vaccine: None at this time.

Reservoirs and mode of transmission: Can live in the soil and enter the horse's body through wounds or broken skin and through mucous membranes.
May possibly be transmitted by flies, including the common housefly and horn flies.
Disease is usually highly contagious and can easily infect multiple horses on the premises.
Bacterium in the pus draining from abscesses on infected horses can survive from one to 55 days in the environment. It has also been shown to survive from one to eight days on surface contaminants and from seven to 55 days within feces, hay, straw or wood shavings.
Lower temperatures prolong the survival time.

Clinical signs: Early signs can include lameness, fever, lethargy, depression and weight loss.
Infections can range from mild, small, localized abscesses to a severe disease with multiple massive abscesses containing liters of liquid, tan-colored pus.
External, deep abscesses, swelling and multiple sores develop along the chest, midline and groin area, and, occasionally, on the back.

Incubation period: Horses may become infected but not develop abscesses for weeks.Animals affected:The disease usually manifests in younger horses, but can occur in any age, sex, and breed.
A different biotype of the organism is responsible for a chronic contagious disease of sheet and goats, Caseous lymphadenitis, or CL. Either biotype can occur in cattle.

Disease forms: Generally 3 types: external abscesses, internal abscesses or limb infection (ulcerative lymphangitis).
The ulcerative lymphangitis is the most common form worldwide and rarely involves more than one leg at a time. Usually, multiple small, draining sores develop above the fetlock.
The most common form of the disease in the United States is external abscessation, which often form deep in the muscles and can be very large. Usually they appear in the pectoral region, the ventral abdomen and the groin area. After spontaneous rupture, or lancing, the wound will exude liquid, light tan-colored, malodorous pus.
Internal abscesses can occur and are very difficult to treat

Diagnosis: Your veterinarian can easily collect a sample for culture at a diagnostic laboratory. It is important to isolate the bacterium to get a definitive diagnosis since pigeon fever can superficially resemble other diseases.

Treatment: Hot packs or poultices should be applied to abscesses to encourage opening. Open abscesses should be drained and regularly flushed with saline.
Surgical or deep lancing may be required, depending on the depth of the abscess or the thickness of the capsule, and should be done by your veterinarian.
Ultrasound can aid in locating deep abscesses so that drainage can be accomplished.
External abscesses can be cleaned with a 0.1 percent povidone-iodine solution
Antiseptic soaked gauze may be packed into the open wound
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as phenylbutazone can be used to control swelling and pain
Antibiotics are controversial. Their use in these cases has sometimes been associated with chronic abscessation and, if inadequately used, may contribute to abscesses, according to one study.
The most commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of this condition is procaine penicillin G, administered intramuscularly, or trimethoprim-sulfa.
In the case of internal abscesses, prolonged penicillin therapy is necessary

Care required: Buckets or other containers should be used to collect pus from draining abscesses and this infectious material should be disposed of properly.
Consistent and careful disposal of infected bedding, hay, straw or other material used in the stall is vitally important.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect stalls, paddocks, all utensils and tack.
Pest control for insects is also very important.

Recovery time: Usually anywhere from two weeks to 77 days.

Prognosis: Usually good with complete recovery, although some horses may experience recurrence.

From: "Linfield, Dr. Thomas" <tlinfield@state.mt.us>
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 4:58 PM
> *******************************************

Stomatitis in equines in Colorado
> ---------------------------------------
> On 2 Jul 2004, an equine premise in Colorado met the index case definition
> for vesicular stomatitis (VS). Later on the same day, a 2nd equine premise
> met the subsequent case definition for VS. The affected premises have been
> placed under quarantine.
> VS is a viral disease which primarily affects horses, cattle, and swine.
The
> virus that causes VS has a wide host-range. VS also occasionally affects
> sheep and goats. In affected livestock, the VS virus causes blister-like
> lesions to form in the mouth, on the dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils,
> hooves, and teats. These blisters swell and break, leaving raw tissue that
> is so painful that infected animals generally refuse to eat and drink.
They
> also generally show signs of lameness. Severe weight loss usually follows,
> and in dairy cows, a severe drop in milk production commonly occurs.
> Affected dairy cattle can appear to be normal and will continue to consume
> about half of their normal feed-intake.
> The need for increased surveillance and reporting should be communicated
to
> all facilities, and personnel, of the animal disease monitoring network.
> Early detection remains the key to minimizing the impact of such a disease
> introduction.
> Please forward this information to your federal, state, and industry
> counterparts as necessary.
> For additional information on VS, please refer to the following APHIS
> web-page:
> <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/vs/vs.html>
> If you have any questions about this situation, please feel free to call
the
> Emergency Management Staff at 301-734-8073.
>
> --
> ProMED-mail
> <promed@promedmail.org>
>
> [see also:
> Vesicular stomatitis, equine, bovine - USA (TX, NM) 20040701.1754
Vesicular
> stomatitis, equine - USA (TX, NM) 20040619.1640 Vesicular stomatitis,
equine
> - USA (NM) 20040608.1538 Vesicular stomatitis - USA (TX) (04)
20040529.1466
> Vesicular stomatitis - USA (TX) (03): OIE 20040521.1367 Vesicular
stomatitis
> - USA (TX) (02) 20040520.1354 Vesicular stomatitis - USA (TX)
20040520.1350]
> ....................tg/msp/lm
>
> *##########################################################*
> ProMED-mail makes every effort to  verify  the reports  that are  posted,
> but  the  accuracy  and  completeness  of  the information,   and  of  any
> statements  or  opinions  based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader
> assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by  ProMED-mail.
> ISID and  its  associated  service  providers  shall not be  held
> responsible for errors or omissions or  held liable for  any damages
> incurred as a result of use or reliance upon  posted or archived material.
> ************************************************************
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> etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org.    For assistance  from a
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JURY AWARDS $1,007,500 IN EQUITROL LAWSUIT

Santa Ana, CA, March 25, 2004 -- The jury in Wrather v. Farnam Companies returned a verdict of $1,007,500 in favor of plaintiffs Charlotte Wrather, Christopher Wrather and Lori Araki. The jury found that Farnam's product EquitrolR, a feed-through fly control product, was defectively designed (not safe when used in the intended manner) and that it had caused harm to plaintiffs' Thoroughbred racehorses and Thoroughbred and Warmblood sport horses. Mr. and Mrs. Wrather are the owners of Cottonwood Ranch in Los Alamos, California, a Thoroughbred breeding and training farm. Ms. Araki is manager and trainer at Cottonwood Ranch.

EquitrolR works in the manure to kill fly larvae before they mature. Its active ingredient is the organophosphate insecticide tetrachlorvinphos, a cholinesterase inhibito r and neurotoxin which is also known by the trade name RabonR. Feed-through fly control products containing RabonR are widely used in beef and dairy cattle and other livestock industries, as well as in horses.

Farnam has advertised that EquitrolR is designed to pass quickly through the horse's gastrointestinal tract without being digested, and that it is safe for all horses including pregnant and lactating mares and their foals. The Wrathers and Ms. Araki claimed that they fed EquitrolR as directed, that the organophosphate in it was absorbed into their horses'systems, and that this caused or exacerbated a variety of health problems in the horses including reproductive problems and birth defects, stunted and retarded growth, hyperexcitability and other neurological dysfunctions, laminitis, immunosuppression evidenced by unusual or unusually severe infections, low thyroid, diarrhea, colic and more. Testifying as an expert witness for plaintiffs was Dr. John Madigan, D.V.M., professor in the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology and chief of the Equine Section at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Madigan last summer conducted a pilot study of the effects of feeding EquitrolR. In his study (forthcoming in the veterinary literature), the group of test horses fed EquitrolR experienced a sharp drop in their whole blood cholinesterase to levels consistent with organophosphate intoxification. The study also revealed statistically significant differences in behavior while on EquitrolR as compared with the control group. In a series of behavioral tests, the horses fed EquitrolR exhibited heightened or intensified flight response, that is, they were "spookier" or more easily startled or frightened.

Also testifying for the plaintiffs were Drs. Mark Rick, D.V.M. and Greg Parks, D.V.M., both of the well known Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, California; Dr. David Jensen, D.V.M., who practices privately as San Marcos Equine Practice in Los Alamos, California; and Dr. Warren Porter, Professor of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. The Wrathers and Ms. Araki had also alleged that Farnam knew at least since 1981 that 10% to 30% of the organophosphate in EquitrolR was absorbed, so that the advertising and marketing for EquitrolR contained negligent and intentional misrepresentations and omissions. The jury did not find that this had been proved by a preponderance of the evidence.

Charlotte Wrather et al v. Farnam Companies, Inc., United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana Civil No. 03-967 JVS(RCx)(March 25, 2004)