Parasite Control: Balance vs. Eradication
According to the USDA, neurologic EHV-1 can cause an acute paralytic syndrome in horses where they are weak and ataxic in the hind legs. This weakness and paralysis of the muscles of the hind limbs gives rise to incoordination, gait abnormalities and, in some cases, the inability to rise from the sitting position.
“The virus, once infected, can become latent. Latency enables the virus to avoid the host’s immune system. Then at an opportune time (i.e., levels of high stress) the virus emerges and can be silently shed, infecting other horses that come into contact with the ‘silent shedder. ’” says Dr. Kerry A. Rood, Utah Extension Veterinarian and Dr. L. Earl Rogers, Utah State Veterinarian.
According to the US Dept of Agriculture, it is important to realize that EHV-1 can be spread indirectly through contact with physical objects contaminated with infectious virus. Examples of such objects include tack, wipe rags or other grooming equipment, feed and water buckets, and people’s hands or clothing.
Given this information it is, therefore, imperative to practice sound preventative principles which include cleaning and disinfecting your barn, horse trailer, blankets, etc.
FROM JUDY SINNER “Vaccination has been cited as a risk factor for development of EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy in one (unpublished) paper* written to report on an outbreak in 1984 involving many horses on at least five premises in Southern California. To my knowledge there have been no documented cases of EHV-1 in horses that have NOT EVER been vaccinated for rhino. An article** on the recent outbreak states that ‘all the affected horses had been vaccinated.’ This is a good thing to consider before you or anyone you care about runs out and vaccinates to try to prevent this, and actually ends up setting the horse up for problems instead, as the immune system is at an all-time low for 30 days following any vaccination. My recommendation if you are traveling and/or merely concerned is in addition to the Dynamite Basic Program†:
1. BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
• Do a 10-day blast of SOD to boost up your horse’s immune system.
• Put the horse on Hiscorbadyne® or Ox E Mega and leave them on it through the season.
• Solace Colloidal Silver may be beneficial as a natural ‘antibiotic’ for a horse that is already manifesting active signs of the virus, used for 10 days.
2. HOMEOPATHIC NOSODES
This is also the type of acute situation in which homeopathic nosodes can be beneficial. If a horse does get sick it is good to have them already on hand. You can get them from a holistic vet. Some people do use them as a preventative.
3. KEEP IT CLEAN
If you have been in contact with other horses ALWAYS wash down everything. This includes your barn, trailer, tack, grooming equipment and blankets. Dynamite Blanket and Barn Wash will disinfect as it cleans.”
* http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/ehv1_vaccination.cfm
** www.facebook.com/notes/animal-health-options/understanding-and-managing-the-neurologic-form-of-rhino/10150183254518562 and www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/ehv1_vaccination.cfm
† The Dynamite Basic Programs includes Dynamite®, Dynamite Plus™ or TNT; Dyna Pro® and all 4 Free Choice Minerals.
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