BREAKING NEWS:Two More States Announce Mare Testing and Quarantine01/03/2009
OTHER NEWS:7 CEMO Positive; 9 Negative on Culture; 7 Pending
Again, we strongly encourage you to please contact DeGraff Stables (follow that link for contact information) in the event that you have bred a mare this past breeding season (2008) to one of the positive stallions and have not yet heard from a Federal or State vet about testing your mare. Additionally, if you have bred to one of the "pending" stallions in the 2008 breeding season, please continue to monitor this web site or DeGraff's web site, where we will update the results as they become available for release. 01/03/2009 CEM Outbreak - Important Information for Mare Owners Equine-Reproduction.com has been contacted by mare owners who have bred their mares to stallions that have been confirmed positive as carriers of Taylorella equigenitalis - the Contagious Equine Metritis Organism (CEMO) - in the current USA outbreak, but who have not yet been contacted by a State or Federal veterinarian with reference to having the mare tested. If you have bred a mare to one of the positive stallions and not been contacted by a Federal or State veterinarian, please contact DeGraff Stables (follow that link for contact information). Please be aware that the fact that your mare has not aborted and is still pregnant does not mean that she is not infected with the CEMO. In fact, few abortions are associated with CEM, and foals produced by CEMO-carrying mares may harbour the pathogen themselves, and be infective when they are mature animals and being bred. This is one way in which the organism maintains presence in a population. 01/02/2009 Current CEMO-positive Stallion Number Confirmed as Seven The number of stallions reported by the OIE - seven - as showing positive for presence of the CEMO is confirmed with the news that three Paint Horse stallions that were resident at the index farm in Kentucky and returned home to Indiana have tested positive. As these stallions were already identified as contact animals with the four positive stallions in Kentucky, it is thought that they pose a minimal risk for further spread. Contact mares bred with semen from all positive stallions must undergo testing, and at least two States - Virginia and North Dakota - have imposed quarantine controls on facilities where tested mares reside, pending negative results. 01/02/2009 CEMO-positive Stallion Number Increases The number of stallions reported as positive for the presence of Taylorella equigenitalis the causative agent for Contagious Equine Metritis in the Kentucky USA outbreak has risen to six the index farm reports. Seven stallions are shown as "believed negative", with ten more having results still pending. The OIE (Office international des épizooties) - the international reporting agency for infectious animal diseases - is however currently reporting seven positive stallions, with 320 more potentially affected (exposed) animals. It is unclear where this number discrepancy originates, but we will update the information as applicable once confirmed. 12/30/2008 Equine-Reproduction.com Introduces Newsletter We at Equine-Reproduction.com, LLC recognize that many veterinarians, breeders and repro specialists may not always have the time to monitor this site to access news current events, new articles or other information. To assist everyone in keeping up to date, we have initiated a monthly e-mail newsletter. If you wish to receive a copy of our Newsletter, please sign up in the subscription box in the upper right hand corner of this page. We wish everyone a Happy New Year and a successful upcoming breeding and foaling season (or for those in the Southern hemisphere, we hope you just had one)! 12/30/2008 CEM Testing Delayed by Season. Limited Federal Funding Available to Cover Some Costs The index farm has announced that some of the fourteen remaining contact stallions that have not yet been evaluated for CEMO presence will not be cultured until January 6th, 2009, with the results therefore not being available until the second or third week of January (dependent upon findings). More information and results when available will be found on their web site at http://degraffstables.com/about-us/cem-outbreak-updates/. It has also been announced that USDA will reimburse the UK LDDC in Lexington, KY for the cost of mailing samples and of conducting the culture tests, but that there is no confirmation of additional funding to cover costs, although it has been requested. In the event that additional Federal funding becomes available, it is likely that it will be retro-active, so good record-keeping by affected persons is essential in order to be able to make a valid claim, ensuring that receipts are clearly identifying that they are relevant to the CEM situation. It is also suggested that contacting your congressman, senator and/or State representative to further the cause of requesting Federal aid may be of value. 12/30/2008
Ryegrass Implicated in Reproductive Endophyte Toxicity IssuesAlthough Fescue grass tends to get blamed for being the carrier of endophytes that produce reproductive related issues including prolonged pregnancy and delay of onset of estrus in the spring (it is technically the alkaloid secreted by the endophyte that produces those effects), there has long been a suspicion that other grasses may also be implicated. Rye grass was one of those additional grasses, and some new research indicates that there is indeed a connection. In "Prevalence of ergot derivatives in natural ryegrass pastures: Detection and pathogenicity in the horse" (Lezica FP, Filip R, Gorzalczany S, Ferraro G, de Erausquin GA, Rivas C and Ladaga GJB: (2009) Theriogenology: 71:3 422-431) the authors summarize in the final line of the abstract: "Based on these findings, we inferred that endophyte-infected ryegrass is associated with ergot alkaloid intoxication in horse." The full abstract can be viewed on line in the Theriogenology Journal. 12/28/2008 Semen Shipped to Canada from CEMO-positive Stallion in Kentucky CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency - the Canadian equivalent of USDA) has announced that semen was shipped from one of the Kentucky-based stallions that tested positive for presence of the Contagious Equine Metritis Organism (CEMO) Taylorella equigenitalis to breed mares in Alberta (2 mares) and Ontario (1 mare) last spring. The mares have been quarantined and are undergoing testing to determine if there has been transmission of the bacteria. Although semen extenders commonly carry an antibiotic, that does not guarantee destruction of the bacteria, which could still be viable and infect the mare at the time of breeding. While all parties involved in this outbreak are working assiduously to regain control and achieve complete elimination of presence of the bacteria within all contact animals, there is concern that the US may lose "CEM-free" status within the International community. Such a loss would prevent the free (non-restricted) passage of semen and horses into Canada, as well as less-restrictive testing requirements for export to other countries. Horses being exported to Canada would be likely to require quarantine with extensive testing and swabbing with results negative for the presence of Taylorella equigenitalis, and in the case of stallions test-breeding of two mares while in quarantine. Semen could only be exported from stallions that were standing at quarantine facilities and that had undergone the same type of testing. CFIA's current recommendation, made in the announcement on their web site is that "Until more information is available from the U.S.... the equine industry and importers in Canada exercise caution and refrain from importing breeding horses, embryos and semen from the U.S." 12/26/2008 Fourth Stallion Tests Positive for CEM, and a New Article on Equine-Reproduction.com A fourth stallion has tested positive for presence of Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative agent for CEM; five stallions have negative results allowing a presumptive diagnosis of "clear" (repeat testing may be required to confirm definitively); and results are pending on an additional fourteen exposed stallions and an unknown number of mares to which the "positive" stallions have been bred. To assist veterinarians, breeders and other interested parties, we have added an article about CEM to our articles section. 12/22/2008 CEM Index Farm Posts Updates on their Website DeGraaf Stables' "Liberty Farm" in Kentucky, where the current CEM-positive stallions are located, have placed an update page on their web site. We at Equine-Reproduction.com congratulate them on their pro-activeness to reduce the transmission of uneducated information that tends to be rampant within the horse industry in a situation like this! 12/21/2008 Two More Kentucky Stallions Test Positive for CEM Two more stallions have tested positive for presence of the causative agent for CEM, the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced today. The latest stallions to test positive are a 13 year-old Quarter Horse and a 4 year-old registered American Paint Horse. Five other stallions currently resident on the index farm have so far tested negative for the presence of the bacterium, but as it is slow-growing, repeated testing is required before absolute confirmation of "clear" status can be made. Mares bred to the stallions from this farm are being tracked and tested, but this is not an easy task as multiple jurisdictions and a significant number of animals are involved, one of the stallions alone having bred 50 mares this last breeding season. These latest confirmations have caused Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer to asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer to declare a state of agricultural emergency and commit federal funds to assist with the situation. An excellent interview with Dr. Peter Timoney on the subject of CEM is available through "The Horse" website at http://www.thehorse.com/Video.aspx?vID=153 12/19/2008 CEM Reported in Kentucky A case of Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) has been reported in a 16 year-old Quarter Horse stallion standing in Kentucky. CEM is a bacterial disease that can be sexually transmitted, and is a notifiable disease, meaning that reporting of a case to authorities is mandatory. Because of the potential for significant negative financial impact in the case of an outbreak, there are international restrictions on the transport of horses and semen that reference testing for CEM. It was during the testing protocol prior to freezing of semen for export that the current case was identified. The affected stallion originated in Texas, and moved to Kentucky in February 2008 where he stood at stud and had semen shipped. There were 21 other stallions on the same farm for the 2008 breeding season. All other recently exposed horses are currently under quarantine and are awaiting test results. 12/18/2008 How Soon we Forget! In a review of the 19 full-page stallion advertisements in the December issue of the "USDF Connection" magazine, only two carried any information about the equine viral arteritis (EVA) status of the stallion. In a random review of 19 full-page stallion ads in the December issue of the "AQHA Journal" absolutely none of the ads carried any mention of EVA status of the stallions. It seems that stallion owners are either avoiding the issue, or burying their heads in the sand in the belief that if they can't see a problem, it doesn't exist! Sadly this is not true. As we come close to the start of the 2009 (northern hemisphere) breeding season, it seems that the onus is being placed even more on the mare-owner to do their part in the prevention of another outbreak of EVA in the US. If the stallion owners are not going to do their part by educating the mare-owner as to the staus of the stallion they are offering at stud, then it behooves the mare owner to ensure that status - after all, it is the mare owner that will be the first to know if there is an outbreak as a result of breeding their mare to a positive "shedding" stallion when other already-pregnant mares on their farm start aborting or coming up "open". Mare owners: One of the first questions to ask a stallion owner prior to booking to their stallion is "what is the EVA status of your stallion?". The ideal answer you are looking for is "EVA negative and vaccinated annually". "Tested EVA negative" or even "tested negative and vaccinated" is not adequate unless the animal has been vaccinate annually - simply testing the animal and getting a negative result will not prevent them becoming infected and a shedder the week after they are tested! Stallion owners: Use the "EVA negative, vaccinated annually" terminology in your advertisements! It demonstrates that you are an ethical breeder doing your bit to prevent the transmission of this troublesome disease. Alternatively, in the event that your stallions are not tested and vaccinated, right now - more than 60 days before the start of the breeding season - is an excellent time to do it. Review the EVA articles for more details on the full testing an vaccination protocol. Impact of an outbreak: Why do we continually hammer on about this? Take a moment to consider the impact that resulted from an infected stallion in New Mexico in 2006: Associated EVA cases were confirmed in 6 States - NM, UT, MT, KS, OK, AL. Circumstantial evidence suggested associated EVA cases in 4 more States - CA, ID, CO, TX. A total of 69 direct exposures were identified: 48 (69.5%) were mares inseminated with shipped semen. 20 (29%) involved mares and foals that had visited the index premises. 1 (1.5%) was a mare that was both inseminated and also visited the index premises. (Direct exposure = horse potentially exposed to infection on index premises (NM) or through insemination with infective semen). New Mexico and Utah were the most affected States: A total of 50 facilities involving 2022 horses were placed under supervised or voluntary quarantine in those two States alone! The true extent of the outbreak is difficult to gauge as Federal and State reporting requirements for EVA are inadequate. Need we say more? If so, please review the articles about equine viral arteritis to be found in our articles section 12/07/2008 Equine-Reproduction.com Participates in On-line Radio Program about Cloning We were recently pleased to be invited to participate in an on-line radio discussion about the cloning of horses. The "Stable Scoop Radio Show" is a weekly production of the Horse Radio Network that offers news and views of a topical equine nature. Also participating in the interview was Blake Russell, VP of Business Development for the US-based cloning company ViaGen. The interview about cloning can be accessed on the "Stable Scoop" interview page, or by using the Audio Player control below ("click" on the arrow in the green to start). Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. 10/25/2008 Gem Twist Reborn!  The latest cloning news comes from the European cloning firm Cryozootech, who have today announced the birth of a clone of the three-time "American Grand Prix Association Horse of the Year", legendary American Thoroughbred gelding showjumper "Gem Twist".Gem Twist - owned and bred by Frank and Mary Chapot - was much loved by followers of the sport of showjumping for an entire generation, winning two Silver Medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games under Greg Best, as well as Team Silver at the Pan-American Games, and numerous other Grand Prix. In 1990 he was named the "World's Best Horse" at the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm. The only real "downside" To Gem Twist was that he was a gelding - and therefore unable to pass on his excellent genetic material to please future generation of showjumping fans - but now, with this clone, he can! 09/15/2008 Please visit our archived news page for past news items that have appeared on this index page.
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and enter your foal's gestational duration! Non-Reproduction Equine Headline News from: TheHorse.com News Australian Brumby Research Could Apply to Laminitis 6 Jan 2009 The Australian Brumby Research Unit at the University of Queensland's School of Veterinary Sciences is conducting an array of research projects involving horses in a free-roaming environment. Australia has more than 500,000 feral horses, most of which... Volunteers Assist in Washington Horse Rescue 6 Jan 2009 Volunteers fought frigid temperatures and high snow drifts last week to remove 33 malnourished horses from their snow covered pasture just outside Wellpinit, Wash. A Bureau of Indian Affairs agent discovered the herd, which included several mares and... Kentucky Gathering Information on Abandoned Horses 6 Jan 2009 In order to measure the scope of horse abandonment in the state, the Kentucky Horse Council is seeking firsthand reports from people who have encountered abandoned horses. These animals include horses running at large, horses left at sales barns, horses... New CEO Selected for WEG 2010 6 Jan 2009 The World Games 2010 Foundation has selected Jamie Link as the new Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Link has been serving as Deputy Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet since December... Mule Alerts Woman to House Fire 6 Jan 2009 Jolene Solomon of McMinnville, Tenn., credits her pet mule, Lou, with saving her from a New Year's Day fire that destroyed her home, NewsChannel5.com reported. Solomon told News Channel 5 that the mule was agitated and braying, prompting her to run... Cambridge Announces New Equine Professorship 6 Jan 2009 The University of Cambridge has selected James Wood, BVetMed, BSc, MSc, DLSHTM, Dipl. ECVPH, MRCVS, as the first Alborada Professor of Equine and Farm Animal Science. This unique professorship is in honour of the celebrated career of the thoroughbred... MRI Diagnostics: Uses and Limitations 5 Jan 2009 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to create various types of cross-sectional and three-dimensional images. While commonly used by physicians, MRI has only been used in equine clinical cases for the past... Fifth North Carolina Horse Dies of Unknown Toxin 5 Jan 2009 A mystery toxin killed a fifth horse in western North Carolina in November. Veterinarians now suspect this case might be due to the same substance that caused the death of four other horses earlier that month. The fifth horse was found dead... |
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