Page 25 - The Game April 2006

Vaccination protects against continuing threat of West Nile virus
By Larry Frischke, DVM
It’s difficult to predict the impact West Nile virus will have in 2006, but the disease continues to be a threat to horses, and owners are encouraged to take precautions to protect their animals.
Vaccination, prior to mosquito season, is a highly effective defense against this devastating disease. The West Nile virus is now suspected anytime a horse is presented to a veterinarian with neurological disease symptoms. The clinical signs can range from ataxia, inability to rise, muscle tremors and muzzle twitching, limb paralysis, depression, loss of appetite, fever or death. Mortality rates range from 25 to 40 per cent in infected animals that become symptomatic.
The impact of West Nile virus in 2006 is difficult to predict because the environmental risk factors change from year to year. The virus is typically spread by mosquitoes that become infected after they have fed on birds infected with the virus. The mosquito then feeds on a horse, infecting the animal. For 2006, risk factors such as mosquito levels are difficult to forecast because they are very dependent on temperature and weather conditions. It’s also difficult to determine the number of infected birds carrying the virus. By vaccinating in the spring, before significant mosquito exposure occurs, horse owners can be confident their horses should have the required immunity to fight the virus.
The numbers of confirmed and probable cases of West Nile in horses across Canada have declined since the peak in 2003 when 445 cases were identified. Much of that decline can be attributed to the widespread use of West Nile vaccination.
But the disease is still very prevalent. Human West Nile statistics certainly help tell this story. The number of human clinical cases of West Nile increased
substantially last year. The Public Health Agency of Canada reported that there were 224 diagnosed human cases of West Nile in 2005 compared to just 25 in 2004. The number of dead birds that tested positive for West Nile also increased in 2005 (443 in 2005 vs. 416 in 2004) even though fewer birds were tested.
For horse owners, it’s also worth noting that a number of clinical cases in Canadian horses actually increased in 2005 com- pared to the previous year (25 in 2005 vs. 13 in 2004).
Widespread use of West Nile virus vaccine has helped control the disease in horses. The cases of West Nile that we’re now seeing occur primarily in non-vaccinated horses. A surveillance study1 conducted in 2003 by Dr. Hugh Townsend et al of the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine found that the odds of disease in unvaccinated horses were 31 times greater than the odds of disease in vaccinated horses. The same study, which included 875 horses, also revealed that the odds of disease on farms that did not vaccinate any animals were 85 times higher than the odds of disease on farms that vaccinated all animals.
Horse owners are encouraged to consult their veterinarian for West Nile vaccination advice. Horses that have been vaccinated in the past should receive their booster by the end of May. Horses that have not been previously vaccinated require two doses three to six weeks apart. An annual booster provides 12 months of protection from the West Nile virus.
Dr. Larry Frischke is a veterinarian with Wyeth Animal Health. He’s based in Sundre, Alberta.
1. Epp T, Waldner C, West K, Leighton F, Townsend H. Efficacy of Vaccination for West Nile Virus in Saskatchewan Horses. AAEP Proceedings 2005; Vol. 51: 180-182
An Olympic Experience
Woodbine photographer Michael Burns Jr. had the opportunity to travel to Torino Italy
to cover the Canadian Curling Team during the 2006 Winter Olympic Games
Golf Carts Being Recommended at Woodbine
Albion Golf Cars held a 3 day on-site special March 16 to 18 at Woodbine to promote the use of the carts to reduce the traffic flow on the backstretch. The carts are being offered for purchase, lease or rental to trainers, jockeys, and agents (or anybody else who moves about the backstretch).
Bruce McDonald of Albion Golf Carts says his company is working with Woodbine to offer an alternative form of transportation to reduce the vehicle traffic.
According to a memo circulated to the woodbine backstretch on March 13, Steve Koch, Director of Backstretch Operations at Woodbine states that WEG is recommending that horsemen consider the purchase or lease of a golf cart to reduce traffic volume, vehicle congestion and
parking shortages on the backstretch. Their primary concern is to manage the vehicle problem for the overall safety of the horse population on the backstretch.
The memo noted that the traditional stable area traffic model will be increasingly constrained in the future and went on to say that WEG requests that horsemen adopt the golf carts for their own comfort and convenience because over time, it may become a necessity.
The carts are safer, quieter and more efficient and are easier to park and can be rented for as low as $135 per month from April to December. For more information on Albion Golf Cars contact Bruce, Bob or Bill at 416-236-1001 or you can contact Steve Koch at Woodbine 416-675-3993, ext. 2652.
(left to right) Hotwalker, Stan Salib; exercise rider Jane Kitching, Albion Golf Cars’ Bruce McDonald; Jockey Agent, Gary Kemplen; Rodney Murphy “Murph the turf” of WEG Maintenance; and hotwalker Kathryann DeGannes; enjoy the burgers and hotdogs which were being cooked up, free of charge, during Albion Golf Cars’ 3-day special at Woodbine.
Robbie King Jr. Ready for 2006
Jockey Robert King Jr. (right)
who was seriously injured in a
paddock accident in September
2005, is back at the track and ready to
go for 2006. He used his recovery
time to complete a college prep
course where he laughingly says
“he was the oldest student in class.”
He also took some time to visit his
parents and four siblings in his
hometown of Ottawa. He is pictured
here on the rail at Woodbine in March with trainer John Charalambous.
Did You Know...
That 2003’s Champion Two-year-old filly, My Vintage Port, had her first foal, a colt by the stallion Aptitude, which was born at Mike Carroll’s Grandview Farm
in Ontario on January 24.
The now five-year-old mare by Porto Foricos - My Intended, by Bold Ruckus is
confirmed in foal to Medaglia D’oro for her foal of 2007.
My Vintage Port was retired by her owners, trainer Ken Parsley and his partner
Rick Pettifer, near the end of her three-year-old campaign in 2004 after a lack-luster fourth place finish in the 1 1/8 mile Carotene Stakes.
She retired a multiple stakes winner with $743,353 in earnings.
Ken has twelve horses for 2006 and with only 7 stalls at Woodbine he says he
will have to juggle a bit during his “rebuilding year” which includes five 2-year-olds.
Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, April 2006 25