Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Equine researchers update vets on Coronavirus
Dr. Nicola Pusterla discusses equine medicine with UC Davis veterinary students.
Studies bring good news for horse owners

Vets remain baffled about the origin of equine coronavirus (ECoV), but researchers at UC Davis are hopeful to someday find the root cause.

In the last few years, vets have observed many commonalities among horses infected with the disease, which is helping them to better diagnose and treat the disease, as well as helping horse owners manage or even prevent an outbreak.

Some people think EcoV may have developed from above coronavirus and spread across species. What is understood about the spread of ECoV among horses is that respiratory shedding of the disease is unlikely. Most of the time, according to Dr Nicola Pusterla, it can transfer from horse-to-horse via exposure to contaminated faeces.

Due to a fresh wave of outbreaks bringing patients to the hospital, Dr Nicola Pusterla recently gathered all of the clinical equine vets at UC Davis to update them on the disease. His presentation covered a research project into the disease and reviewed several case studies to better prepare the clinicians for ECoV cases that may arrive at their Large Animal Clinic.

The school’s research revealed that most horses with ECoV will present as anorexic and lethargic with an elevated rectal temperature (>101.5ºF). Some of the less common signs may include diarrhoea, colic and neurologic defects, such as aimless wondering, head pressing, recumbency or seizures.

But Dr Pusterla stressed that vets should not assume that symptomatic horses have ECoV and asymptomatic horses do not. PCR testing throughout the research confirmed that 10-20 per cent of asymptomatic horses involved in outbreaks have detectable ECoV in their faces.

ECoV was first identified in foals over 20 years ago, but the disease in adult horses has only recently been recognised as a new virus. Up to now, few studies have been carried out to understand the virus and its disease.

Outbreaks around the world among adult horses confirm that ECoV is not age specific. In 2011, a group of adult racing horses in Japan contracted the disease, and groups of adult horses in facilities in more than 10 US states were infected between 2011-14.

Working with many of these facilities, UC Davis helps to contain the outbreaks by offering diagnostic support in exchange of clinical and biological information on the infected horses. The data helps researchers further their understanding of ECoV and gain valuable epidemiological information.

For horse owners, this research brings much good news. First of all, the mortality rate is low. While many horses will contact ECoV, few will die from it. In a recent study led by UC Davis, only eight per cent of horses infected with ECoV died as a result of complications.

Furthermore, the infection is, on the whole, short-lived. Researchers say that clinical signs only persist for one to four days and are cleared with general supportive care.

Dr Pusterla encourages horse owners to enforce biosecurity protocols to prevent the spread of ECoV and take extra precautions at events where large groups of horses convene.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.