equine influenza | Horse Racing Free Tips

Century Mile: Two Additional Race Dates Cancelled Due To Equine Influenza Outbreak

Horse Racing Alberta, Alberta Standardbred Horse Association and the Century Mile Race Office are continuing to monitor the equine influenza outbreak at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. Our equine and human athletes' safety is our top priority, and it is the recommendation of the Official Veterinarian that live racing be cancelled on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

Official qualifiers are currently scheduled for Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.

In response to the cancelled race days, Horse Racing Alberta and Alberta Standardbred Horse Association will distribute purse funds to support horsemen who have been impacted by the cancellations.

Alberta Standardbred Horse Association has recommended the following changes to the racing schedule:

Dec. 17, 2021: Eliminations for Western Canada Pacing Derby and Century Casinos Filly Pace
Dec. 18, 2021: Additional race day added to schedule
Dec. 31, 2021: Western Canada Pacing Derby and Century Casinos Filly Pace

Horse Racing Alberta would like to thank all the trainers, veterinarians, staff at Century Mile and the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association for their collaboration and cooperation.

The post Century Mile: Two Additional Race Dates Cancelled Due To Equine Influenza Outbreak appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Non-Compliance Of Flu Vaccine Administration Leaves Horses Vulnerable

Horses in the United Kingdom may be at risk of the flu even if they are vaccinated because of non-compliance with manufacturing guidelines, research shows. Drs. Amie Wilson, Gina Pinchbeck, Rachel Dean and Catherine McGowan created a survey that asked equine vets in the UK to describe their vaccination practices. The study team then compared these protocols with manufacturer guidelines and datasheets.

Of the 304 responses, 92 percent indicated that the recommendations they give owners are not consistent with manufacturer guidelines for administering the vaccine. Vets most often used vaccination guidelines from the British Horseracing Authority and the Fédération Equestre Internationale.

Additionally, there was variation in vaccine booster protocol for competition and noncompetition horses. The most recommended strategy, given by 57 percent of survey respondents, was a 6-month flu vaccine shot for competition horses and annual flu vaccine administration for non-competition horses.

Nearly 86 percent of vets reported that their clients were reluctant to administer vaccines because of fear of over vaccination, cost and the potential for adverse reactions. Of the vets who responded, 66 percent had horses that experienced an adverse reaction to vaccination, but only 19 percent of these vaccination reactions were reported to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Most reactions included stiffness, swelling, lethargy and fever.

The study team noted that there is a discrepancy between manufacturer guidelines for flu vaccinations and those issued by governing bodies for equestrian sport and racing. Non-compliance is common, leaving horses at risk for getting the flu.

Read the study here.

Equine Influenza Outbreak Kills Nearly 50 Wild Donkeys In CA

Equine influenza has killed 46 wild donkeys in Riverside, CA, since mid-October and more are expected to die from the disease.

DonkeyLand, a nonprofit burro rescue located in California, reported that more than 50 additional donkeys are coughing and showing signs of respiratory issues. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services reports that the majority of the deaths have occurred in Reche Canyon, but dead donkeys have also been found along Pigeon Pass Road, Heacock Street and Redlands Boulevard.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture veterinarians, Moreno Valley Animal Services and San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control are assisting DonkeyLand Rescue with care of the sick animals. Ill burros are being transported to DonkeyLand or to the SoCal Equine Hospital and quarantined; they will be released back into the wild upon recovery.

Donkeys that are around the sick donkeys are also being transported to the clinics, where they are vaccinated for flu and other diseases before being released back into the wild once they show no sign of the disease. Donkeys are more susceptible to equine influenza and develop severe secondary bacterial infections, which is what is killing the wild donkeys.

The public is advised to avoid contact with the wild burros and to keep horses away from wild donkeys to avoid disease transmission. Owners of horses in the area are encouraged to vaccinate their horses and put biosecurity measures in place to keep from spreading the disease.

Read the AAEP Equine Influenza Fact Sheet here.