Just an FYI--- Each summer, horse owners travel with their horses to explore different parts of North America. The summer heat and bugs create a melting pot for equine viruses to keep travelers from enjoying the summer and horse events. This year, equestrians are faced withEquine Vesicular Stomatitis. So far, the virus has been reported in Colorado and Texas with the first detections in southern Texas in early 2014. In mid-July, the first case was reported in Colorado from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory. Equine Vesicular Stomatitis afflicts not only horses, but any livestock, wildlife and even humans. It is a contagious disease, but rarely life threatening. Though not completely understood, the transmission of this virus is thought to be mainly through insects. Equine Vesicular Stomatitis can be painful as it causes oral blisters and sores making it hard for horses to eat or drink. Appearance of the virus can take up to eight days after contamination. Early symptoms are slight fever, excessive drooling, and small blisters that appear around nostrils, gums, tongue, lips and corners of the mouth. Some lesions may also appear around the coronary band which may cause some lameness.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 11:00:01 +0000