EQUINE INFLUENZA UPDATE!!!

Equine influenza: Changing nature of cases!!! Cases are more common even in well-vaccinated horses, so what is the problem? The case of vaccine failure or vaccine break? Data from research on recent equine influenza virus (EIV) outbreaks show a noticeable change in the horses being affected by the virus.While naïve, young horses are still commonly affected, there has been a marked increase in EIV outbreaks among well vaccinated horses. This increase among well vaccinated horses is surprising and means we're seeing a lack of vaccine effectiveness," says Dr. Nicola Pusterla, professor of equine internal medicine at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. "The recommendation here is for vaccines to include the most current influenza strain." To help keep EIV from affecting your horse's health, rely on a vaccine that has been updated to include the most relevant flu strains. Only Vetera® vaccines contain both the Florida Clade I and Clade II equine influenza strains as recommended by the OIE, a global panel that monitors circulating equine influenza strains, to protect against the strains most likely to infect horses today. Vetera is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. ©2015 Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. A For more information please visit www.bi-vetmedica.com

AGRIBUSINESS: Deadly skin trade may have prompted Nigeria’s Equine Influenza outbreak.

AGRIBUSINESS: Deadly skin trade may have prompted Nigeria’s Equine Influenza outbreak.Nigeria has declared an outbreak of Equine Influenza with more than 3000 equines infected, with reports from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) suggesting the outbreak is a symptom of the unregulated global movement and trading of donkeys for their skins. International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary has warned of a potential disease epidemic in West Africa, following reports from partners in neighbouring countries Mali and Ghana of donkeys showing similar characteristics of the disease, including fever and nasal discharge. The highly contagious disease can affect all equines.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: EQUINE INFLUENZA.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: EQUINE INFLUENZA.Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can put horses out of work for weeks and potentially cause serious secondary infections. see

Does Equine PPID Affect Immune Responses to Vaccination?

Does Equine PPID Affect Immune Responses to Vaccination? 20% or more of the equine population consists of horses older than 20. Veterinarians report that 30% of these are afflicted with Cushing’s disease (PPID or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction), a degenerative endocrine condition that causes muscle wasting, an overly shaggy hair coat that doesn’t shed well, and/or susceptibility to the hoof disease laminitis. As horses age, the immune system also changes and experiences an overall decline (immunosenescence) and enhanced inflammation, now termed “inflamm-aging.” Inflamm-aging describes a key characteristic of the aging process that involves a shift toward circulation of substances (pro-inflammatory cytokines) that elicit low-grade, chronic inflammation. In PPID horses, this immune function is even more diminished than it is in normal aging horses. So researchers have asked the question: Does PPID affect horses' immune response to vaccination? A study was conducted evaluating 33 horses immunized with a multivalent vaccine (Vetera Gold by Boehringer) containing Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), tetanus, equine influenza, rhinopneumonitis, and West Nile virus (WNV). There was no significant difference in immune response to the influenza vaccine between PPID horses and non-PPID horses of matched age. However,there was significant differences in rhinopneumonitis and West Nile vaccine responses, with lessened antibody titers following immunization, in PPID horses. The study emphasize the need to maintain geriatric horses on regular vaccine programs and keep up to date with core vaccines (EEE/WEE, tetanus, WNV, and rabies). If there is a high risk of extensive travel or co-mingling of horses, then influenza and rhinopneumonitis vaccines should be boosted every six months. source.

DOGS: LEARN ALL ABOUT CANINE INFLUENZA.

DOGS: LEARN ALL ABOUT CANINE INFLUENZA.Canine Influenza – A Year Round Concern.The cold winter months are typically peak flu season, right? Well, in humans that’s true. But when it comes to the furry members of our family the flu is a year round canine health concern. It’s vital for every dog owner to know the risks of canine influenza, the dog symptoms to watch for and what to do if you have a sick dog. Flu Facts Canine flu is a fairly recent problem having been first diagnosed in 2004. It originally mutated from equine influenza and was initially detected among the greyhound population found in racing kennels. Over the past 10 years, the dog flu has spread and become more common among all dog breeds. Currently there has never been even one case of canine influenza being transferred from a dog to a person. However, flu viruses have been known to successfully modify themselves to infect other animals so there is always a possibility that people could be at risk. NewsCosmic bursts solve Universe's 'missing matter' problem Canine flu is highly infectious. Dogs who are exposed to it have close to a 100% chance of getting the flu. Senior dogs and puppies are more susceptible to serious illness if infected. Since it is spread via airborne particles, being on the receiving end of another pooches’ sneeze or cough is enough to make your dog sick. Also, the virus has the ability to survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours so sharing a toy or food bowl with an infected friend can spread it more quickly. More from DR POL HERE

Kansas State researchers investigate the threat of influenza from amphibians.

Equine flu. Canine flu. Now do we have to worry about the frog flu, too?If you needed another reason to wash your hands after handling a frog other than warding off salmonellosis, researchers at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine have a new set of zoonoses to concern you that could be acquired from our amphibian friends—viral disease. Yongming Sang, PhD, is leading a project investigating the role of inferons in amphibians and how it might translate to viral transmission to people. The first publication of their work, featured in Nature’s Scientific Reports, discusses intronless interferons in amphibians, all signaling the need to more closely observe these vertebrates. "Amphibians have a previously unknown complexity within their antimicrobial interferon system, which is highly and differentially responsive to influenza infections,” says Sang in a release from Kansas State. “This suggests the need to study the possible role of wild amphibians as overlooked reservoirs/end hosts for influenza and other zoonotic pathogenic infections." continue

RECURRENT AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION.(RAO)

This is one of the common respiratory diseases in horses.Recurrent airway obstruction is usually as a result of blockage to airway as a result of allergy caused by spores from moldy hay. The inhalation of these spores set up an inflammatory reaction in the respiratory tract resulting in breathing difficulties.The signs include wheezing ,shortness of breath, and exercise intolerance. RAO can also develop after other respiratory infections such as strangles,equine rhino and influenza. PREVENTION. 1) Do not feed moldy hay. 2) stable horses in properly ventilated closures. 3) vaccinate horses for all respiratory diseases in horses. TREATMENT. There is no treatment,but condition can be managed. 1) Allow enough fresh air for horses. 2)use wood shavings instead of straw. 3) soak hay. 4)do not clean out stables when horses are within.