I had been hearing news about an equine disease vesicular stomatitis that was quarantining horses in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Looking for more about the disease, I contacted my vet, Dr. John Tolley of Bakersfield Large Animal Veterinary Hospital. I recorded this interview on a Thursday, and I write this the following Tuesday. The number of quarantined premises have doubled.
If you look up the words "vesicular" and "stomatitis" on Google, you'll find vesicular means blister. Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mouth. Vesicular stomatitis usually presents in horses with blisters in the mouth, lips, and coronary bands. The disease spreads several ways, but most commonly through flies and mosquitos. Some of those flies can move 150 miles in a day. I wasn't able to find a good answer about a vaccine for VSV. It is a summer disease and spreads up from the gulf in Texas.
Dr. Tolley gives us the details on vesicular stomatitis. He talks about suspected origins and why the Federal government keeps a close eye on the number and location of animals affected. Good horse-keeping practices and staying away from horses afflicted with the disease are currently the main preventative measures.
To find out more about vesicular stomatitis check out these websites:
American Association of Equine Practitioners Website
A Comprehensive Article from Science Direct
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John & Ranae Episode #152