Oregon Performance Equinetics - Meredith C. Pierce, DVM

Looking for a last minute gift for the hard to buy horse person in the family? I have a few Vet Kits ready to go. These are stocked with items that every horse owner should have to manage an emergency and allow time to get your horse to a veterinarian.

Message me for information or to get one before Christmas. I can also set you up to have a custom patch made for yours if you so desire.

I have heard and seen some chatter on FB in the past day or so about EHV-1 cases. As always, this is a concerning disease when it becomes the neurologic form and horses do die from this disease quickly.

I wanted to share that I spoke with the OR Department of Agriculture last night (11/19/24) just before 5 PM and they confirmed for me that there are reports of a couple of facilities in the Spokane Washington area that have been affected. They have also informed me that there is currently ONE suspected case in Douglas county for Oregon right now. The Oregon property is under quarantine until the testing comes back.

Rather than spreading panic and rumors try to be proactive. If you are planning to attend an event in the coming days or weeks you can temp your horse(s) twice daily. If they have a temp of 102+ they should be seen by your veterinarian. Booster your Flu/Rhino vaccines if it’s been 6+ months. Now before you say the vaccines don’t work remember no vaccine is 100% prevention but they do help reduce the shedding of virus. Also, remember the disease is spread via direct contact and close contact so don’t let your horses be nose to nose with other horses, don’t share equipment and for the love of all things if your horse has a fever, nasal discharge or cough keep them home.

For anyone that wants to learn more here is a great website that discusses EHV.

Equine herpesvirus: EHV-1 and EHM Equine herpesvirus 1 is a contagious virus in horses that can cause serious illness in horses including respiratory disease, abortion, neurological disease and newborn death.