November News Clippings
A few news clippings from around the Northwest as we head into the end of November...
~Brandon Enyeart
Washington
Lead researcher Don Knowles and his colleagues at the Animal Disease Research Unit at Washington State University have found that a relatively high dose of the cattle drug imidocarb dipropionate--used in the past for treating Texas Fever or Cattle Fever--eliminates piroplasmosis, a protozoal infection carried by ticks, in horses. The treatment was well tolerated by most of the test subjects;, only a few experienced an upset stomach.
Piroplasmosis is found commonly in Puerto Rico, but although it is considered a foreign disease, this is still a huge discovery. Recently, there was a 100+ horse outbreak in Texas.
Researchers say it is extremely important to make sure the parasite behind the disease is eliminated with treatment since a healthy horse can still transmit the disease while experiencing no symptoms. Early results seem promising.
Learn more about piroplasmosis here.
Idaho
After Idaho was named one of the nation’s worst states in regard to animal cruelty laws in 2008 by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (California), state senator Tim Corder (R) put a two-piece legislation into development with hopes of creating a more specific definition as to what constitutes cruelty. Corder says he wants to allow the rules to differentiate between companion animals and livestock. Corder’s concern is that if cruelty laws are not addressed in Idaho, the state will become a target for animal activist groups. He expressed that he does want to strengthen the laws against all animal cruelty, but also reports that his actions are mainly to avoid being pressured by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). In his words, “We have a lot of folks who would like groups such as HSUS to come into Idaho and raise a fuss, and for us to do certain things with our cruelty statutes…we don’t want that. We want Idaho to decide what cruelty is or not.” Idaho is one of only four states in the nation lacking a felony penalty for a broad animal cruelty law.
California
In mid-October, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger officially signed a bill making it illegal to dock horses' tails in California. Docking is still allowed if done for emergency purposes but the emergency treatment must be consistent with the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. The law, which includes a ban on imported animals that have docked tails, will go into effect this January.
In other California news, Woodside, California is thrilled to be hosting the 2010 Western Championships—that's western as in the region, not the discipline--at the Horse Park at Woodside August 8-10. Events will include dressage, show jumping, polocrosse, and eventing.
~Brandon Enyeart
Washington
Lead researcher Don Knowles and his colleagues at the Animal Disease Research Unit at Washington State University have found that a relatively high dose of the cattle drug imidocarb dipropionate--used in the past for treating Texas Fever or Cattle Fever--eliminates piroplasmosis, a protozoal infection carried by ticks, in horses. The treatment was well tolerated by most of the test subjects;, only a few experienced an upset stomach.
Piroplasmosis is found commonly in Puerto Rico, but although it is considered a foreign disease, this is still a huge discovery. Recently, there was a 100+ horse outbreak in Texas.
Researchers say it is extremely important to make sure the parasite behind the disease is eliminated with treatment since a healthy horse can still transmit the disease while experiencing no symptoms. Early results seem promising.
Learn more about piroplasmosis here.
Idaho
After Idaho was named one of the nation’s worst states in regard to animal cruelty laws in 2008 by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (California), state senator Tim Corder (R) put a two-piece legislation into development with hopes of creating a more specific definition as to what constitutes cruelty. Corder says he wants to allow the rules to differentiate between companion animals and livestock. Corder’s concern is that if cruelty laws are not addressed in Idaho, the state will become a target for animal activist groups. He expressed that he does want to strengthen the laws against all animal cruelty, but also reports that his actions are mainly to avoid being pressured by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). In his words, “We have a lot of folks who would like groups such as HSUS to come into Idaho and raise a fuss, and for us to do certain things with our cruelty statutes…we don’t want that. We want Idaho to decide what cruelty is or not.” Idaho is one of only four states in the nation lacking a felony penalty for a broad animal cruelty law.
California
In mid-October, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger officially signed a bill making it illegal to dock horses' tails in California. Docking is still allowed if done for emergency purposes but the emergency treatment must be consistent with the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. The law, which includes a ban on imported animals that have docked tails, will go into effect this January.
In other California news, Woodside, California is thrilled to be hosting the 2010 Western Championships—that's western as in the region, not the discipline--at the Horse Park at Woodside August 8-10. Events will include dressage, show jumping, polocrosse, and eventing.
Labels: regional news
posted by NWHS at
10:00 AM
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