Site Menu:
This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below: |
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Routine Horse Care » Controlling Houseflies and Biting Flies » |
Discussion on News Release: Heavy Rains Raise Risk of Livestock Disease | |
Author | Message |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Saturday, Jul 14, 2007 - 12:59 pm: News ReleaseTexas Animal Health Commission Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719 Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us For immediate release--- Water, Water Everywhere Raises Risk of Livestock Disease Rushing water, stagnant ponds, or even the dry stages after wet periods can lead to outbreaks of livestock disease. Mosquitoes and biting flies, capable of carrying and transmitting diseases, thrive in the damp weather, and naturally-occurring anthrax can take a toll on livestock and wildlife when pastures dry after prolonged wet periods. Horse owners should take precautions against mosquito-transmitted diseases by having their animals vaccinated against West Nile Virus (WNV) and the reportable diseases Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis (EEE and WEE). “If you wait until cases of ‘sleeping sickness ’occur in your area, you may have waited too long to vaccinate,” said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas’ state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. “You need time for the vaccine to do its job, which is to build the animal’s immunity to a particular disease,” he said. “Vaccine can provide the best disease protection possible, but it’s also crucial to keep up with booster shots, as recommended by the vaccine manufacturer or your private veterinary practitioner. In 2006, 111 horses were confirmed to have West Nile Virus in Texas. So far this year, the disease has been confirmed in one horse, located in Willacy County.” Three cases of Potomac Horse Fever, which is not a regulatory disease, have been confirmed in Kerr County by the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Potomac Horse Fever, first detected in Maryland in l979, is not typically found in Texas. Clinical cases usually are found near rivers, streams, ponds or canals. The infection involves tiny flukes that are parasites of water snails. The flukes hatch their offspring into the water, and these are then picked up by aquatic insects that molt into flying insects, including caddis flies and mayflies. Horses can become exposed to Potomac Horse Fever when they eat or drink anything contaminated with the insects. Kerr County equine veterinarians are urging all owners to call their practitioner if equine animals exhibit signs of Potomac Horse Fever, which can include a reluctance to eat, fever, diarrhea, colic or inflammation around the hoof. Treatment includes antibiotics and supportive care. Biting flies can mechanically transmit equine infectious anemia (EIA), sometimes called “swamp fever.” This incurable disease, for which no approved vaccine exists in the U.S., is a regulatory disease. TAHC regulations require horses and other equine animals to have a negative test for EIA within the previous 12 months before entering the state, or going to events, assemblies, trail rides, undergoing change of ownership or entering a breeding farm. The most commonly known test for EIA is the “Coggins” blood test. The incidence of EIA has DrOpped dramatically since l997, when 750 equine animals in Texas were found to be infected. Since January 2007, only 29 infected animals have been detected. “EIA-infected horses can develop severe anemia, fever and swelling. In severe cases, EIA can kill the animals, but many times, the infected animal has few signs of disease,” noted Dr. Hillman. “Prevent EIA transmission by avoiding blood-to-blood contact between infected and ‘clean’ equine animals. Disinfect medical instruments and tack, and control flies. Biting flies carry blood from one animal to the next on their mouthparts, and they play a key role in the mechanical transmission of EIA.” Infected equine must be maintained at least 200 yards away from other equine animals, euthanized, or sent to slaughter. “In the past, untested equine animals could be sold for slaughter through a livestock market. At the slaughter plant, blood samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing. Now that Texas equine slaughter plants have been closed, we can not ensure that horses moving to plants in other states or countries are tested. Therefore, we are requiring all horses to have a current EIA test, even when being sold for slaughter,” said Dr. Hillman. Rain, followed by hot weather can coax the invisible bacteria Bacillus anthracis to the surface, a situation that has occurred on a ranch in Tom Green County, where 17 head of cattle and a number of white-tailed deer have died. “Anthrax in Texas occurs nearly every year, and it is a reportable disease to the TAHC. If we know an outbreak is occurring, we can let ranchers in the area know that it’s time to vaccinate their livestock. There is no preventive treatment for wildlife,” said Dr. Hillman. Anthrax naturally occurs worldwide and in many states of the United States. Disease outbreaks have been reported in Minnesota, South Dakota and Canada this year. When an anthrax-infected animal dies and isn’t properly burned, the bacteria will infiltrate the soil and lie dormant (but not spread) for many years. Under ideal weather and soil conditions--a cool, wet spring, followed by a hot, dry spell--the bacteria will resurface on grass and forage. The disease cycle starts again, when another animal ingests the resurfaced anthrax bacteria. TAHC regulations require that an infected animal’s carcass, manure and bedding be incinerated. This prevents wild animals from being exposed to the disease, and it kills the bacteria, preventing another site where the anthrax bacteria can resurface. Dr. Hillman urged ranchers to wear gloves and long sleeves when preparing the burn site and to avoid moving the carcasses, if possible. Exposure to anthrax carcasses could cause a handler to develop a black skin lesion that requires prompt medical treatment. “There is no need for vacationers or hunters to worry about naturally occurring anthrax. Just don’t touch or handle sick or dead animals, and don’t pick up bones or shed antlers. We usually advise hunters not to hunt feral or wild swine in the area during an anthrax outbreak. Feral swine may root around carcasses of anthrax-killed animals, becoming exposed to the bacteria but not contracting the disease.” Dr. Hillman advised swimmers to avoid ponds or streams, if dead animals are nearby. The same advice goes for pets, too. By the time hunting season starts, he said, cool weather usually puts an end to anthrax cases. “Always harvest only healthy-looking animals, and, as a routine practice, wear gloves when processing meat,” he said. “In Texas, it is often ‘feast or famine,’ DrOught or flood,” said Dr. Hillman. “With each of the conditions, there are concerns about livestock health. So, while ranchers enjoy the lush grasses the rains have produced, they may have to control pests to lower disease risks. However, I don’t know many ranchers who would choose last year’s DrOught over some extra vigilance this year.” |
Member: hwood |
Posted on Saturday, Jul 14, 2007 - 2:25 pm: Oh, shoot and YIKES!! EHV across the road and anthrax in the dirt and mosquitoes and horseflies everywhere, and EIA, too???I did give all my vaccines, but feel like I should give them all again. Here in KS, the vets recommend WNV only once a year, and my guys were done last fall, but I have it programmed in my mind to do it every six months, so the vet humored me and came out in the spring to do WNV, but we didn't boost any other vaccines. Do you think my horses are as safe as possible vaccine-wise or ahould we consider boosting them in consideration of the "ripe for disease" weather conditions? |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Sunday, Jul 15, 2007 - 7:33 am: I think if you follow our recommendations in the vaccine articles you will be as safe as possible vaccine wise.Holly, these newsletters are not meant to alarm indeed you should feel more confidence with the increased knowledge that you are protecting your horses as best as possible. Also by being aware of the likely possibilities of what might be wrong early you have the best chance at a good outcome. DrO |
Member: hwood |
Posted on Sunday, Jul 15, 2007 - 8:56 am: Okay.As far as I know, I'm up on vaccines (should I be using killed or live? ) and will ask the vet about the Texas alert and find out if the same cautions apply to us here in KS (probably do) . . . and ask if my horses are as safe as possible. |
Member: corinne |
Posted on Sunday, Jul 15, 2007 - 10:36 am: I can't check with my vet today as they are closed but we boostered the West Nile and we will see his recommendation on boosters for the rest. Appreciate the information, because while initially scarey (and that is probably just human reaction Dr. O) once that is past we all agree it is always best to be informed than remain in blissful ignorance.Holly can't wait for you to share everything you learned about soon! |
Member: ilona |
Posted on Sunday, Jul 15, 2007 - 3:38 pm: OK I am up to date on my vaccines. However my pond, fed by a creek, is drying up because of a leak at the bottom. I have delayed lining it even though I have the liner. So guess where I'm going right now! I cannot bare the thought of helping all those critters and bacteria!Thanx Dr O, for galvanizing me into Sunday action! |
Member: judyhens |
Posted on Monday, Jul 16, 2007 - 12:49 am: Hi!It's been awhile since I have posted. Glad I checked this today. We are in central Texas and had 60+ straight days of rain. The good news is the hay is thick and beautiful. We just cut and baled it in a 4 day rain free window. The bad news is that some of the horses have "scratches" from standing in moisture for so long. The ground under the grass is sand and drains very well. There are a few places with clear standing water, but much of the land quickly dries after a rain. We have about 27 mares, foals, stallions, and a few geldings. Our vet suggested daily spraying of the pasterns with an antifungal spray for one month. One of the horses has it on all four pasterns. We scrubbed them with Nolvasan surgical scrub, got the crusts off, and put Desitin on them. We will go get the antifungal stuff tomorrow. With this no. of horses, does anyone know of anything that will last more than a day? Although we have help, our live in trainer is in Peru on vacation and I work 10 hr./day. It would be great if there was something which would last longer than one day... :-) If not, it's a good thing the sun is still up at 8:30 PM.... Also, the flies are really swarming. We use fly spray, have a spray system in the barn (but most horses are out), and use fly predators for the outside paddocks. Anyone know of something effective to put in standing water to kill the fly or mosquito larvae? At this point we don't have mosquitos The other problem is that some of the horses are developing skin irritations on their shoulders, faces, and necks. Don't know if this is from the flies or rain. We have shelters in the pastures. Unfortunately, most of the horses choose to stand in the rain... Anyway, any ideas on the skin condition and fly control would be appreciated. I think we are going to have two days of sun. Then the rain starts again. Oh well...I am sooo not complaining. Last year's DrOught was horrible. This year is cooler, grass is in abundance, and in the whole realm of problems, ours are very small. Your help re: scratches, flies and skin irritation is appreciated. Judy 0 0 \_/ |
Member: hwood |
Posted on Monday, Jul 16, 2007 - 3:26 am: Mosquito Dunks are available in hardware and feed stores. They are non-toxic (to horses) doughtnuts that float in water (even water troughs) and control mosquito larva. Oil added to standing water will kill the mosquito larva by keeping them from being able to breathe through their little "snorkle" tubes.For Scratches, I don't know. I've done the "clean, dry, and apply Desitin" treatment with great success, but never on more than one or two horses at a time. Glad you got your hay in. We haven't been able to cut and bale until the last couple of days, and aren't supposed to have rain again for at lest a week. The standing water is drying VERY fast. |
Member: erika |
Posted on Monday, Jul 16, 2007 - 7:06 pm: Note about Mosquito Dunks--my horse loves to eat them.Not harmful, but expensive horse food! Now I tie a string on them and attach to a weight so they aren't floating on top for her to get out so easily. But they work great and I break them into smaller pieces to put in puddles, bird baths, etc. so I don't waste a whole one in small amounts of water. |
Member: amara |
Posted on Monday, Jul 16, 2007 - 8:09 pm: never thought mosquito dunks were tasty!!!but they do work great-as long as your horse doesnt eat them!!!*LOL* as far as the scratches, i use an all natural essential oil mixture called "melrose" that generally clears the problem up overnight... i've never had even the worst case of scratches last more than 2-3 days...and it doesnt come back... its not cheap-about 20 bucks for a 1 ounce bottle, tho you only need a few DrOps mixed in a few cups of water-apply with sponge or cloth... i've tried the desitin and iodone and vet prescribed remedies.. they worked too, but took a whole lot longer to get the job done(weeks rather than days)(you also have to be very religious about the daily treatments)...with the melrose by the end of the week the hair was growing back.. and if i forgot to put it on the 2nd day it was never any worse on the 3rd, if it was there at all... good luck |
Member: judyhens |
Posted on Monday, Jul 16, 2007 - 11:41 pm: Thanks for the advise re: horse dunks. I will see if tractor supply has them. If horses will eat them and be ok, the ingredients must not be toxic. Anyone know if they are ok for pregnant mares? The oil idea also sounds like a good one. It might even help their hooves if they walked in the water!Where does one purchase Melrose? Everyone of you is appreciated!!!! Judy 0 0 \_/ |
Member: amara |
Posted on Tuesday, Jul 17, 2007 - 8:54 pm: melrose is an "essential oil" blend...mixture of several different types of oils.. i know sounds kind of "bogus" and i wasnt much of a believer until i watched it clear up several cases of persistent thrush overnite, an infected umbilical (again overnite), and several other various ucky looking areas that responded poorly or not at all to traditional meds...you can order online thru youngliving.org and go to their product line.. its a "blend".. good luck with everything. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Wednesday, Jul 18, 2007 - 8:55 am: Melissa, I cannot find the ingredients for this product, is it listed on the label? I find several companies named Melrose that manufacturer oils but can't really seem to find anything that fits this use precisely.Neither can I find any information on the use of "Melrose Oil" in infections or wounds. If you have a umbilical infection in a foal please consult your veterinarian and if you have thrush follow the recommendations in the article until we get some information otherwise. DrO |
Member: dove2 |
Posted on Wednesday, Jul 18, 2007 - 10:08 am: I hope this link works:https://www.youngliving.org/rs_ord_item_detail_popup.asp?ITEM_CODE=3378&IS_GUEST _SHOPPING_MODE=1&CC= |
Member: jojo15 |
Posted on Wednesday, Jul 18, 2007 - 7:10 pm: thats just two forms of tea tree oil. and some rosemary. Nice together. but i bet its the tea tree that is getting the scratches...there is also primrose oil for use on excsema too. that is what i first thought when i saw melrose. |
Member: cmatexas |
Posted on Wednesday, Jul 18, 2007 - 11:14 pm: Judy, we are in Fairfield about an hour south of Dallas. Is this FREAKY or what?!?!? High of 90 in July in Texas? Um, not in my lifetime! We can't get our hay out of the pasture!Anyway, EVERYONE is having the same problem with our horses here, even ones who are not bald faced. Sunburn? Yeast from grazing all the wet weeds? Look gross, seems painful. Rain rot on the face? We are all guessing. I washed faces with EZ All, and coated them with SPF 60 sunscreen that also contained zinc oxide. They are better, if not pretty. Have you had success with anything else? We are all having sunburn problems as well as a case or two of scratches and rain rot. My paint mare is burned on all the white places all over her body and legs, but not on the sorrell. She is 16, and never had sunburn problems before. Now, she comes to the gate every morning for her rubdown. Don't know if the coat will ever look right again! Anyone else have any clue? |
Member: cmatexas |
Posted on Thursday, Jul 19, 2007 - 3:06 pm: Dr.O - didn't really know where to post this. I've been reading the best way to clear up the yuck on my horses. Is it possible for a horse to have sunburn, rain rot, and scratches all at the same time?!?!?!? Been treating the white face and white paint areas on body as if it's sunburn (non-soap cleaning, SPF 60 with zinc), sorrell back with sores as if it's rain rot (medicated shampoo and gentle removal of scabs). Now, maybe think sores on white legs might be scratches??So many suggestions on shampoos, ointments, sprays, etc. One vet says give shots, one vet says not. She is up in the shade now, as dry as possible in our monsoon, and is improving. Any suggestions to add? (Looks like a badly negleted horse at this point) |
Member: amara |
Posted on Thursday, Jul 19, 2007 - 7:50 pm: i've used just the tea tree oil as well, but honestly find that the melrose blend works a bit faster... the tea tree oil works fine in a pinch, but maybe an extra day in getting the job done..as far as the umbilical, we had been working closely with a vet for several days, who just had us dipping the area with something-tho i cant remember what- with barely any change.. my boss finally got tired ofnothing happening so she said what the heck, and voila! within half a day of the first treatment it looked completely normal.. we had used it on several minor infections with never an ill result, so she felt very comfortable using it for this... as far as the thrush, yep, been there done that with all the OTC remedies-even the occasional vet prescribed remedy....dont see the point in waiting days or even weeks to clear something up when there is something else out there that does the job in less than half the time, but to each his own i guess... my old boss was very naturall minded and was always doing research and looking into natural products... i got into it thru her, but have no idea how she got started with the essential oils.. i just know it works! |
Member: vickiann |
Posted on Thursday, Jul 19, 2007 - 10:36 pm: Tried lots of stuff (that helped in varying degrees)to clear the summertime problems on the face of my Arab who has a very dished face. What finally cleared it up entirely was Tinactin. |
Member: judyhens |
Posted on Thursday, Jul 19, 2007 - 11:38 pm: Hi Michelle, Vicki, et al.... :-)Yes, this is extremely unusual weather. One of our chestnut stallions with a white blaze also has sunburn on his nose. Our bay stallion had rough, thickened, clearly itchy skin on his face. The vet thought it was yeast/ fungus and we used Tinactin or some other antifungal with great success. I think this much rain has really caused skin problems like we haven't really dealt with much before in the Austin area. We are using Desitin on the pasterns as a water barrier. Aluminum spray also serves as a water barrier. The pasture is so high and the moisture level so high, that scratches are really cropping up. The tinactin spray seems to help. May follow up with one of the oil remedies. We have a rider here who keeps many of the oils for emergencies. This may qualify as one... Good luck! Judy 0 0 \_/ |
Member: jojo15 |
Posted on Friday, Jul 20, 2007 - 10:05 am: plain ole Listerine. the original formula... put some on a rag and i just apply straight to the muck. gets rid of it everytime. when its mild. if its really bad i use the sulpher mix below.For anything that is scabbed over don't use listerine. it burns. but have heard of people mixing with water. another is mixing sulpher powder with oil or vaseline (to stick on the hair/skin) and throw some fly repellent in too. mix it to a yucky yellow paste. (YUM)... and apply like a mud mask. and just leave it. don't wash off. dont groom off. It will get you all sticky and the horse, looks awful. works great! |
Member: vickiann |
Posted on Friday, Jul 20, 2007 - 12:42 pm: Michelle -- the sores on the legs may well be related to ","scratches" but what the "old-timers" called "chapped hocks and knees." I've had every skin problem mentioned in this thread with one of my horses and use Betadine Scrub (legs/feet) or Rain Rot Relief (body) shampoo. On the scratches, I have also used Desitin (after washing with Betadine scrub and using triple antibiotic ointment additionally, if needed)for protection from moist conditions while healing, with good results. Where I live, the rains FINALLY began with some regularity while I was out of town a couple of weeks. Now the fungus stuff is back on my Arab with the more dished face and he has been scrubbing it so I began the Tinactin again today. For this particular problem it works better than any of the other remedies, and I've tried them all over many, long summers. |
Member: cmatexas |
Posted on Saturday, Jul 21, 2007 - 11:39 am: thanks. will try. of course, rained yesterday, no sun, some sun this morning, but rain expected later today, and every day for the next 4 or 5. Um, how do you get if well IF IT KEEPS RAINING!?!?!? Can't dry out legs if theres isn't a dry piece of land for 50 miles. For those of you not familiar with Texas summers, this is freaky weather. High should be 109, not 89! AC bills are great, but medicine bills for horses making up for it. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 - 10:23 am: We have a number of different conditions described above. Melissa, it does sound like you are dealing with both rainrot and sunburn, however sunburn is often complicated with secondary bacterial infection particularly on the pasterns which get wet reqularly. The treatment for rainrot is explained in the article and a little different than what you describe above. Treat the nose and the pastern as if scratches with a emphasis on protecting from further moisture and sun. The article has ideas on that.Irregular sores with thickening of the skin and associated hair loss on the chest and shoulder during the summer are frequently caused by biting flies: check out the article on them and how to reduce exposure to them. DrO |