Rabies Confirmed In San Luis Obispo County

Since June 2017, three bats have been tested positive for rabies in San Luis Obispo county. This is an important reminder to check your horse's vaccination records and make sure they are up to date. There are typically around 60 confirmed rabies cases in horses in the United States every year.

What Can Rabies Look Like?

Rabies is not typically an easy diagnosis in horses as the signs vary case
by case, but some common symptoms are:

• Neurological signs such as: behavioral changes, changes in gait, trouble swallowing, and hypersalivation.
• Aggressiveness
• Tremors
• Fever
• Depression

It is important to ensure that your horses receive their rabies vaccine once
a year. Rabies infection in unvaccinated horses is uniformly fatal. For
further information about the rabies cases in San Luis Obispo County go to:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article181706951.html

Equine Health Program Updates - CDFA

By Katie Flynn, BVMS, MRCVS

Equines Entering California through Border Stations

Border station personnel are required to document all horses crossing into California. This includes California horses returning to California. Thus, all horse trailers are required to stop at the border station crossings to provide destination information and required entry documentation. To facilitate prompt, efficient transition through the station, an Equine Only – California Entry Document has been developed. This document can be completed in advance and provided to the border personnel for verification.

Equine owners and transporters are encouraged to download and complete the document for presentation to station personnel.

To download the document, visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/pdfs/Equine-CA-Entry.pdf.

Equine West Nile Virus Cases in California

For 2017, a total of fourteen (14) horses have been confirmed positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The positive horses were located in Glenn, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern (2), Riverside (4), Plumas, Lassen, Tehama and San Joaquin (2) counties. Eleven (11) horses were unvaccinated and three (3) horses had unknown vaccination status. Seven (7) horses died or were euthanized and seven (7) horses are recovering.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) continually monitors and investigates equine neurologic cases for the presence of WNV in California. CDFA urges horse owners to consult their veterinarian concerning a WNV vaccination program to ensure maximum protection of their horses.

For more information visit:
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/WNV_Info.html.