Just got the great news that a colt of mine was diagnosed with west nile virus today. Signs were poor eating, high temp and wobbler-like walking. What gets me is that this guy received FOUR rounds of WNV innoculations in the last five months! The vet believes the colt will survive, but at no small cost; the daily shots run $100 each and must continue until all signs have past.
Last year I attended a workshop on WNV and heard the speaker predict that the bird population which carries the disease would migrate south essentially along Interstate 5 and Highway 99. This colt is boarded at a farm one mile off Highway 99.
West Nile strikes my colt
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West nile virus
Atribene is used to treat malaria, ask your vet about using it on your TB.
Those without sin cast the first stone.
Louis Finochio
Louis Finochio
I believe the reason is that the farm has hundreds of trees in which the owner found many new species of birds this year, and there are quite a few ponds in which mosquitoes could breed. He just took the extra precaution of giving the extra doses in the hope that it would help fend off the virus. And, it may do so, because this horse hasn't yet shown any signs of immediate death.
He did tell me today that he found hundreds of dead birds on the farm in the last few days. Of the 100 plus horses on the place, only two have been stricken, and both appear as if they will pull through. Still, its way too early to celebrate.
He did tell me today that he found hundreds of dead birds on the farm in the last few days. Of the 100 plus horses on the place, only two have been stricken, and both appear as if they will pull through. Still, its way too early to celebrate.
That's a good question, Roguelet. I don't know. It sounds logical. I think we'll all learn alot more about WNV and its vaccine as the years advance.
One thing I would add is that in 2003 I vaccinated all pregnant mares in March after breeders were advised to do so. Within ONE WEEK, my best mare foaled a dummy foal, one mare aborted at 8 months, and one mare died two days after foaling (Bang's half brother). A good friend of mine vaccinated all her in foal mares and one week or so later a mare of hers foaled a deformed Swiss Yodeler colt. Could all be a coincidence; maybe not.
One thing I would add is that in 2003 I vaccinated all pregnant mares in March after breeders were advised to do so. Within ONE WEEK, my best mare foaled a dummy foal, one mare aborted at 8 months, and one mare died two days after foaling (Bang's half brother). A good friend of mine vaccinated all her in foal mares and one week or so later a mare of hers foaled a deformed Swiss Yodeler colt. Could all be a coincidence; maybe not.
Huh... I've heard about the "lost foals group" and all that... I've vaccinated all of our prego's for the last three years and haven't had a single problem. I have asked some of the bigger farms around here and some vets, and they haven't seen any problems. It almost seems to be regional... either there are many problems in a given area, or none. It's scary stuff though... damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Better watch that language, Roguelet, or someone will be asking you to give yourself the boot!
But seriously, you may be right about the regional effect. In my case, the three mares I mentioned had never been problem mares or had problem pregnancies. As it happened, the WNV informational meeting I attended was held just a week after these tragedies, so I asked the vaccine manufacturer if there might be any causal relationship possible. Of course, she minimized my concern, but I think I may be right without knowing why. Maybe in a few years more research will settle this question.
But seriously, you may be right about the regional effect. In my case, the three mares I mentioned had never been problem mares or had problem pregnancies. As it happened, the WNV informational meeting I attended was held just a week after these tragedies, so I asked the vaccine manufacturer if there might be any causal relationship possible. Of course, she minimized my concern, but I think I may be right without knowing why. Maybe in a few years more research will settle this question.
We vaccinated all of our bred mares last year. Then again this spring. We used Ft.Doge Innovator Killed vaccine. I had intended to use the Merial modified Live Virus because it was suppose to be better and you didn't have to give a booster. My vet didn't stock it, so we went with the Ft. Dodge.
We've been using Ft. Dodge since it came out. On all of our horses and have never had any adverse reaction's. Mare's have gotten in foal and carried to full term for healthy foal's.
I've only heard of half a dozen cases of finding dead bird's that tested postive for WNV in Arkansas. Lord only know's why we haven't had more, cause with the amount of rain we've had this spring, we sure have plenty of mosquito's.
We've been using Ft. Dodge since it came out. On all of our horses and have never had any adverse reaction's. Mare's have gotten in foal and carried to full term for healthy foal's.
I've only heard of half a dozen cases of finding dead bird's that tested postive for WNV in Arkansas. Lord only know's why we haven't had more, cause with the amount of rain we've had this spring, we sure have plenty of mosquito's.
Laissez les bon temps rouller!