Horse owners urged to vaccinate horses against mosquito-borne diseases

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Press Release from Dr. Tom Ray, director of livestock health programs, NCDA&CS Veterinary Division

RALEIGH – It’s mosquito season and it’s time for equine owners across North Carolina to talk to their veterinarians about protecting their animals from mosquito-borne diseases. West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis are endemic across North Carolina and can cause illness or death, but they can be prevented with a sequence of two vaccines.

In 2012, there were 20 confirmed cases of EEE and three cases of West Nile Virus, but state officials say they expect up to four unreported cases for each one confirmed, making the possible impact much larger.

“North Carolina has an extended mosquito breeding period, so every horse owner should talk to their veterinarian about how to protect their animal year-round,” State Veterinarian David Marshall said. “In addition to getting animals vaccinated, everyone needs to be extra vigilant now to reduce the breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Take the time now to rid your yard and pasture of any standing water to reduce the risk.”

The EEE and WNV vaccinations initially require two shots, three to four weeks apart, for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. Neither vaccination fully protects the animal until several weeks after the second shot, so it is best to vaccinate as early in the mosquito season as possible.

Symptoms of EEE include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Symptoms of WNV in horses can include loss of appetite and depression, fever, weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, convulsions, impaired vision or hyperexcitability.

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the virus to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.

Watch Out for Leaf Spot on Bermudagrass

Weeks like this when rainfall is frequent is unfortunately a good time to get leaf spot on your bermuda hayfields and pastures. Once you are able to cut hay, you may find brownish or blackish spots on bermudagrass leaves, even some discoloration on the stems.

What is leaf spot? Bermudagrass leaf spot is a disease caused by a fungus from the genus Helminthosporium. Here is a picture of leaf spot on bermuda from a University of GeorgiaCooperative Extension publication:

Why is leaf spot important? Leaf spot is important because as leaf spot progresses, it decreases yield, nutritive value and palatability. Leaf spot can be so severe as to diminish growth because it keeps leaves from maximizing sunlight for energy. Affected hayfields can become brown and thin. Other diseases can cause damage as well, such as leaf rust.

How do I identify leaf spot? Leaf spot makes circular lesions on the leaves. Spots are more plentiful near where the leaf blade joins the stem. The spots are irregularly shaped and are brownish green to black in color. Leaf rust looks similar to leaf spot but under a microscope, leaf rust appears as small, red to orange lesions. Leaf rust also starts as a small raised area or blister and the blister ruptures showing a powdery mass of orange-red spores. Rubbing a leaf infected with leaf rust will leave a rusty-colored area on your hands. Both leaf spot and leaf rust are managed similarly.

What can I do about leaf spot? Management and cultural practices are the most effective way to deal with leaf spot. According to the University of Georgia, these five practices will help reduce your risk and/or level of infection: 1) selecting a resistant bermudagrass variety, 2) maintaining soil fertility, 3) managing irrigation when applicable, 4) removing thatch, and 5) harvesting forage in a timely manner.

            In times of heavy rainfall, some of these practices will not be feasible but handle these as you are able. For variety selection, Coastal, Tifton 44, and Tifton 85 have some degree of disease resistance. As to soil fertility, addressing nutrient deficiencies is effective at managing leaf spot – soil potassium (or potash) is critical to leaf spot resistance. Split applications of potassium as with nitrogen are especially effective in the coastal plain area. Soil sample for specific soil needs.

            Irrigation management, minimizing thatch and maintaining a frequent cutting interval are all weather dependent. However, when conditions are amenable, these three items are very helpful in managing leaf spot. Since fungal diseases thrive in wet and warm environments, creating more air flow in the canopy discourages fungal growth.

What if I still have leaf spot? There are no legal, effective or economical fungicides to control leaf spot in forage bermudagrass. Remove infected forage as hay and encourage new growth to come in.

Keeping Cool

Keeping Cool!

Coming into July we can expect hot days reaching into the 90’s. Taking precautionary measures to make sure your horse keeps cool. Here are some tips to managing those hot summer days.

•  Clean fresh water and salt at all times
•  Plenty of water should be constantly offered to the horse. Average 1000 pound horse will drink around 10 gallons of water a day
•  Working horses, especially in the heat, can easily increase drinking habits by 20 or more gallons a day
•  Keep buckets, troughs clean to control insects populations
• When working make sure the horse has the option to replenish water and electrolytes to decrease the risk of metabolic condition
•  Beware adding flavoring to the water, while it may seem encouraging for them to consume water, some products have added salt, and may cause horses to stop drinking if too much is added

      Remember, that heat doesn't just affect work or show horses, that extreme heat can compromise any horse’s health. While making sure your water source is adequate, keep an eye out for heatstroke/heat stress signs. Make sure your horses health isn’t at risk.

Watch for signs of heatstoke/heat stress

·         Elevated Respiratory Rate - between 40 to 50 breaths per minute, shallow breathing, and breathing that remains elevated after two minutes of rest

·         Elevated Heart Rate - a pulse of more than 80 beats per minute that doesn't slow down after two minutes of rest

·         Increased or Absence of Sweating - full-body sweating or, worse, if your horse stops sweating entirely

·         Elevated Temperature - a rectal temperature of 103°F or higher

·         Lethargy - signs of depression, disinterest in food, stumbling or collapsing If you notice any of these signs, immediately take measures to help them cool themselves, and Contact your veterinarian. To help cool your horse:

	·         Stop Activity - cease workouts, rides, or farm work immediately
	·         Bathe Immediately - douse him with cold water or a water/alcohol mix
	·         Offer Water - allow your horse to drink as much water as he desires
	·         Find Shade - get your horse out of direct sunlight and into the shade
	·         Fan Your Horse - stand your horse beneath a stable fan or in a breezy area

Trailer Maintenance

It’s that time of the year again when equestrians are hitting the road to enjoy the summer time, their horses and each other’s company.  Before heading out on the road, there are a few things you should consider when it comes to trailer maintenance.  As a responsible horsemen and trailer operator, here are a few things you should check regularly.  

·      Tire condition:  Check the pressure, tread and overall appearance of all tires.  Don’t forget to check your spare too!

·      Floorboards:  Make sure the drainage holes are unblocked and that there are no weak or rotten boards.

·      Brakes:  Truck and trailer brakes

·      Safety Chains:  Be sure they are crossed and hooked to vehicle frame.

·      Hitch:  The socket should be seated on the ball and securely locked into place.

·      Lights:   The tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lights should all be in working order and bright.

·      Sharp objects:  Screws, nails or bolts that are protruding inside should be removed.

·      Insects:  If it has been awhile since you have used your trailer, check to make sure there are no stinging insects inside.

·      Final Inspection:  After loading your animals but before you pull off, do a final inspection of the rig and secure all doors.

In addition to checking all of the above on a regular basis, it is also recommended to get your trailer inspected annually by a professional and replace all rotted, rusted or busted parts.

Remember the old adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, adequately maintain your trailers and enjoy your summer.