West Nile Virus (WNV)
    This is the new buzz disease this year. The virus harbors itself in birds and is transmitted by mosquitoes. Horses are quite susceptible to this disease, along with humans, so therefore mosquito control is a big issue. It is transmitted by mosquitoes; a horse cannot give the disease to another horse
    As you may have heard in early September of last year, the virus was found in a dead bird around the Walcott, Iowa area. This means that the virus is in the area and appropriate measures do need to be taken.
    Clinical Signs: The virus causes an encephalitis or brain inflammation. Signs to look for would be:
        * Depression
        * Not Eating
        * Loss of coordination (often in either hind leg or in both)
        * Temperature increase
Many times the horse goes down shortly after showing these signs. Treatment includes:
        * Anti-inflammatory medications
        * Antibiotics for secondary problems
        * Supporter Care
            * IV or oral fluids and feeding
Statistics show that 20 - 40 percent die or are euthanized because there was no response to treatment.
    Prevention: It is recommended to keep your horses in during dawn and dusk, due to the fact that this is when most mosquitoes are feeding. Another way to help with prevention is to use insect repellant. There is a vaccine that is approved (provisionally) for its prevention and has shown effectiveness in endemic areas across the East and Southeast.
    Initially the horses' need two doses 3-4 weeks apart, with the maximum immunity being developed 2 weeks after the second dose. Please Note that we need to be getting the first dose in anytime so that we can get the second dose in before May, which is typically when we start to see mosquitoes appear

Worming
    Adult horses need to be wormed at least twice a year, usually in April and then in October. I would recommend having it done 4 times a year. Primarily I use liquid Ivermectin that is apple flavor and they accept it readily.
    Foals  Start at 6 weeks of age and worm every 6-8 weeks until they reach the age of one. These babies are prone to worms, especially round worms. On average I have 1-2 foals die a year from a round worm.

Information provided by: Dr. Doug Anderson DVM

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