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Crooked Creek Horse Park's

3rd Annual Horse Health Fair

April 16, 2005 ~ 10:00 AM

*RAIN OR SHINE*

Dr. Yvonne Liddell, DVM will be at the park to provide spring vaccinations. Please complete the registration form and send it with your deposit check made payable to Dr. Liddell to:

Karen Thayer
RD#1 Box 132
Kittanning, PA 16201

Telephone: 724-545-9287

Pre-registration is required to ensure that we have enough vaccine on hand the day of the fair. NO WALK-INS ACCEPTED.

Payment is due by April 13th. 

Please be ON TIME.  

Dr. Liddell will have other appointments following the Health Fair and we want to be sure we are done on time.

ALSO - We would like to be done vetting horses in time to play in the FUN SHOW!!!!! 

Your horse must be trained enough to be handled safely by the Health Fair staff. No "wild" horses please!

TACK SWAP AND EQUINE FLEA MARKET ~ The tack swap will take place in the main parking lot on April 16th. Dig out that extra tack you've been meaning to sell and set up shop in the parking lot. There is no fee to set up a table. Your tack, show clothing, or equipment could be just what your neighbors are looking for! Good luck to everyone with their Spring-cleaning & selling.

The following short descriptions of the various equine related vaccinations and tests have been collected from a variety of internet sources.   Opinions vary on these types of procedures regarding their necessity and their value to the health of our equine companions.  The information below is not intended to be the opinion of FAHA but rather a reference source for those attending the health fair. FAHA has sponsored the health fair each year in an effort to make proper immunization accessible to our members.  FAHA does not profit from the sale of the immunizations or tests.   Please note that some organizations which rent CCHP require a Coggins test prior to accepting a horse on the grounds for their event.  You are encouraged to check with the show management to determine if you will need a Coggins test or health certificate. A Coggins test may be required if you plan to take your horse out of Commonwealth of PA and a Health Certificate may also be needed.   If FAHA makes a trip to Gettysburg battlefield in 2005 (we’re working on the plan to do so) – a Coggins test is required by the stable facility.

Coggins Test for Equine Infectious Anemia.  EIA is a viral disease for which there is no vaccine and no cure. Though most horses succumb rapidly to EIA a percentage of infected horses appear to recover. However they still harbor the virus and during times of stress may become ill again. It is because of these healthy appearing carriers that we test horses. Three different sets of symptoms occur: acute, chronic and the asymptomatic carrier. With acute infection the horse has fever, depression, and no appetite. The acute horse may be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are very general and he will not be positive on the EIA test for a month and a half. Approximately one third of infected horses will die of the acute form within a month.

The chronically infected horse will having recurring acute bouts along with weight loss, ventral edema (swollen belly and legs) and anemia. These horses will be positive on a EIA test. These horses may linger for a year or more before they die.

Most asymptomatic EIA infected horses will not show any recognizable signs but will test positive on a Coggins test.

COGGINS TEST
To insure that an animal is not harboring the virus a simple test is performed, the Coggins test. The Coggins test checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies in the horse's blood. Blood samples must be sent to a state approved laboratory.

The current testing program has gone a long way toward reducing this disease. Few people remember, prior to the testing in the 1970's that this disease killed many thousands of horses annually. It was originally thought that the testing program would eradicate EIA but every year there are just enough asymptomatic carriers to perpetuate the problem.

Tetanus Toxoid: Tetanus or lockjaw is a neurological disease of horses caused by the soil bacterium Clostridium Tetani. It typically enters a horse via a puncture wound where it multiplies and releases its toxin. Horses are very susceptible to this disease so annual vaccination is highly recommended and quite effective.

Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis: Vaccination against these deadly viruses is usually part of the annual tetanus vaccine. These viruses periodically reach central Pennsylvania from the south, usually in late summer or early fall. They are spread from animal to animal by mosquitoes and flies and cause a sudden neurological illness which often results in death.

West Nile Virus: This virus also causes encephalomyelitis and is passed on via mosquito vectors as well. West Nile Virus only recently became a threat in this part of the world but has quickly established itself here.  (Please note – West Nile shots will NOT be given at the same time as the tetnus/influenza shots… it is suggested that they be given at a later date – approx. 30 days after the tetnus/influenza).

Potomac Horse Fever: This rickettsial organism is spread between horses by biting flies usually found near large moving bodies of water. It causes a chronic diarrhea and intermittent colic which can eventually lead to death. Vaccination of horses traveling to areas affected by the disease is recommended.

Rabies: Horses are susceptible to rabies which causes a rapidly progressing neurological syndrome leading to death. Since rabies is endemic in this area it is recommended that all horses be vaccinated against it on an annual basis.

Rhinopneumonitis: This viral disease can cause a variety of problems including abortion, upper respiratory disease, and paralysis. It is transferred by direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Younger animals and pregnant mare are particularly susceptible. Vaccination is recommended for performance animals coming in contact with large groups of other horses as well as for pregnant mares. Immunity is short lived so frequent vaccination is required.

Influenza: This extremely contagious respiratory disease of horses typically causes nasal discharge, fever, coughing and loss of appetite. Secondary bacterial pneumonia is not uncommon so vaccination is encouraged for all horses periodically coming in contact with other horses. Unfortunately immunity is short lived so frequent vaccination is required.

Strangles: Strangles is an upper respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi. It has a particular predilection for lymph nodes under the jaw and in the throat latch area where it causes swelling and abscesses. High fevers and loss of appetite are not uncommon. Discharges from the abscesses are highly contagious to other horses. Once strangles is on the premises it is extremely hard to eliminate. Efforts taken to limit access of strangles to a barn include vaccination and quarantine.

Vaccination reactions and other risks: All vaccinations have some risk of adverse reactions including fever, stiffness, local swelling and abscessing of injection site, allergic reactions, general malaise and loss of appetite. Many horses experience mild reactions to vaccination and some vaccines have more of a tendency to cause reactions than others. While risks will always be associated with vaccination, proper use of appropriate vaccines far outweighs the risks of the diseases they protect against.