Equine Disease Alerts
The Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System Disease Alerts Tool provides a nationally accessible inventory of animal health disease alerts from across Canada. CLICK HERE TO SEARCH DISEASE ALERTS All disease alert submissions are validated by CAHSS staff before posting.
Tick Control in Horses
Ticks are becoming an increasingly significant parasite of horses Written by: Thomas Lenz, DVM., M.S., DACT Ticks are becoming an increasingly significant parasite of horses across the United States. In many areas of the country where they have not occurred before, they are now commonplace. Some blame it on global warming while others believe the […]
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)
EIA, also known as “swamp fever,” is a viral disease of horses and other equids For more current information, new cases are generally available on the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Systems (CAHSS) equine disease dashboard within 2 to 3 weeks of detection by CFIA. More information can be found on the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance […]
West Nile Virus (WNV)
West Nile virus (WNV) belongs to a family of viruses called Flaviviridae. It is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on the blood of infected birds. WNV can infect a variety of mammals, including horses, humans and domestic and wild birds (particularly crows, blue and grey jays, ravens and magpies). West Nile virus – Public […]
ALERT Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1)
What is equine herpes virus and EHV-1? Equine herpes virus is a common virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide. One of the virus’ most common strains is equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) that’s known to cause respiratory diseases as well as outbreaks of abortions and neurologic disease. Western College of Veterinary Medicine CURRENT […]
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by a micro-organism that is a parasite of red blood cells. It affects domestic and wild ruminants, including cattle, sheep, goats and deer. However, in Canada it is primarily a disease of cattle. In Canada, anaplasmosis due to Anaplasma marginale is an immediately notifiable disease under the Health of Animals […]
Equine Biosecurity
Putting preventive measures in place to keep animals healthy has been a long-standing and successful practice on Canadian farms. Biosecurity planning helps to ensure that practices routinely carried out on your farm are beneficial to animal health. Best practices in disease prevention include a combination of following a vaccination plan and taking biosecurity preventative measures […]
Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM)
EHV-1 infection is immediately notifiable by laboratories to OMAFRA under the Animal Health Act. Attending veterinarians concerned about potential cases of EHV-1 infection may contact an OMAFRA veterinarian through the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300. EHV-1 does not pose a threat to public health or food safety. EHV-1 infection in horses can cause respiratory […]
Equine Influenza
ABOUT EQUINE INFLUENZA Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that infects horses, ponies, and other equids, such as donkeys, mules, and zebras. The virus that causes it is spread via saliva and respiratory secretions from infected horses. Horses are commonly exposed via horse-to-horse contact; aerosol transmission from coughing and sneezing; and contact with […]
Pigeon Fever
What is Pigeon Fever? Pigeon Fever caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a bacteria most often found in the Southwestern United States but reported throughout North America. Outbreaks in areas in which the bacteria had previously not been or only rarely reported have occurred during times of drought. Clinical Signs: There are three forms of Pigeon […]