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    Resuls of a study about the efficacy of a Lawsonia Intracellularis vaccine

    07/14/2011 - General

    Several Hagyard doctors and former Hagyard interns participated in a study to see about the efficacy of a Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine. Click this link to see what the results were. Published in The Veterinary Journal. ... Read More

    Hagyard - 2011 Bluegrass Equine Symposium

    07/12/2011 - General

    September 24 - 26, 2011 Host Hotel: Marriott Griffin Gate Resort Veterinarians, technicians and students - don't forget to register for this year's Bluegrass Symposium. Topics are Equine Surgery and Medicine for the Field Veterinarian. ... Read More

    Check Out The Ask A Vet Section Of Our Pharmacy Website

    06/21/2011 - General

    Be sure and check out the Ask A Vet section of our pharmacy website or Veterinary Articles For the Horse Owner page on the main website to see answers to questions, including diarrhea, EHV-1, anhidrosis and HA. ... Read More

    Potomoac Horse Fever

    06/14/2011 - General

     'Tis the season... Potomoac Horse Fever aka Equine monocytic ehrlichiosis is caused by Neorickettskia Risticii although was formaly known as Ehrlichia Risticii . This disease was first described in horses residing near the Potomac Rive... Read More

    Thoroughbred Times launches Ask a Vet video series

    06/04/2011 - General

    The Ask a Vet video series, a spinoff of the monthly feature that appears in  Thoroughbred Times TODAY and in the  Horse Health section of the Thoroughbred Times website, launched on Thursday with the debut episode at www.thoroughbredtim... Read More


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Potomoac Horse Fever

 'Tis the season...

Potomoac Horse Fever aka Equine monocytic ehrlichiosis is caused by Neorickettskia Risticii although was formaly known as Ehrlichia Risticii. This disease was first described in horses residing near the Potomac River in Maryland and Virginia in the late 1970's. The disease has now been documented throughout the United States and Canada.

The clinical signs for PHF are variable and often included decreased appetite, depression, fever, diarrhea, and ileus (non-motile intestinal tract) and laminitis.The most common clinical sign observed by owners is a decreased appetite and/or malaise. Occasionally, the only clinical sign is laminitis.

Most cases of PHF are seen in the summer and early fall. Ongoing research into the route of infection has revealed a parasite that lives in both freshwater snails and aquatic insects serves as a reservoir for N. risticii. The seasonalty of the disease is suspected to be related to the seasonality of the flying insects. Direct transmission from one horse to another does not occur.

The horse's history, clinical signs and response to therapy may be highly suggestive of PHF. Although to definitively diagnose this condition, a test call PCR (polymerase chain reaction) should be submitted. This is a sensitive test for detecting the organism.

What can a horse owner do to control and/or prevent exposure? PHF has a strong association with water although, there have been documented cases unassociated with aquatic environments. There was heavy rainfall in Kentucky this spring causing an increased amount of water pooling within paddocks and fields which could increase the likelihood of horse exposure this season. Other measures such as turning off lights at night in the barn/stable area have been recommended to decrease the number of flying insects and minimize contamination of feed and water.

Please consult your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your horse is exhibiting signs consistent with Potomac Horse Fever as prompt therapy is most effective.