Meddleton Equine Hospital

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1 or Rhinopneumonitis) infection in horses can cause respiratory disease, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and/or neurologic disease. The neurologic form of EHV-1 is called Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) and is a sporadic paralytic disease (myeloencephalopathy) secondary to vasculitis of the spinal cord and brain.

A Horse was diagnosed with Rabies this past week from Eddy County in Hope, New Mexico, between Roswell and Carlsbad. There have been several rabid skunks in the area. We strongly recommend vaccinating your horses for Rabies this fall.

The New Mexico Livestock Board, Office of the State Veterinarian has posted an update on the EHV-1 outbreak on 5-25-2011. Most local horse shows have been cancelled including the NM Dressage Association Show and the Sandia Classic.

For the most up to date information about this EHV-1 Outbreak, follow us on Facebook.

There has been an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) also known as the neurological form of Rhinopneumonitis causing paralysis. The outbreak stems from the National Cutting Horse Association's (NCHA) Western National Championships in Odgen, UT on April 30 - May 8, 2011. All individuals from New Mexico attending that show have been contacted and are isolating their horses.

Infectious disease control (IDC) is an important issue in any equine operation or facility. Many factors are involved in the spread and control of disease. There are common viral, bacterial and parasitic agents that are likely to be found in all areas with a high concentration of horses, but some simple prevention and control measures and having a plan for quickly acting to control potential outbreaks can minimize the impact of these issues on your barn.

There has been a confirmed case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in a horse in the Albuquerque area. VS is a viral disease that is believed to be spread by biting insects, mechanical transmission and animal movement, and possibly other undiscovered factors.

Pigeon Fever, also known as Dryland Distemper, is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. It is seen worldwide, but in the United States it is seen most commonly in the Southwest. We see it here in New Mexico fairly commonly.

Equine Piroplasmosis has been identified in horses in New Mexico, Texas and North Carolina. The New Mexico Livestock Board in cooperation with the New Mexico Racing Commission has entered into a proactive program to protect the New Mexico Racing industry as well as the New Mexico exhibition and breeding industry from the introduction of Equine Piroplasmosis into the New Mexico Equine industry.

A geriatric Quarter Horse gelding was evaluated for a sudden onset of severe right forelimb (RF) lameness. The horse was depressed and would bear almost no weight on the RF. The leg was hot and swollen to approximately twice its normal size from the coronary band up to the axilla; the swelling was extremely painful to the touch. Clipping revealed an open sore over the fetlock.