Washington State Veterinary Medical Association

Washington Poison Center to begin charging fees
Due to pending State budget cuts, the Washington Poison Center (WPC) will begin charging a $30 credit card fee to answer veterinary exposure questions effective June 15, 2009. Last year alone, WPC answered over 8,500 calls about animals ranging from fish to rabbits to cats and to horses.

Alternative help for animal poison information can be found at:

Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435
24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A $60 consultation fee may apply.

The Pet Poison HELPLINET 1-800-213-6680
24 hour a day. A $35 fee may apply.

National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) 1-800-858-7378
Open from 6:30AM to 4:30PM Pacific time, daily.
They will transfer the call to the National Animal Poison Center free of charge in an emergency.

April 2009

April 20, 2009: State veterinarian urges horse owners to vaccinate against West Nile virus Washington tops U.S. in 2008 with 41 horses testing positive for the virus

OLYMPIA - Horse owners should take advantage of the availability of vaccines to prevent West Nile virus-a potentially fatal disease in horses-particularly since Washington led the nation last year with 41 horses testing positive for the disease. West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on an infected bird. The disease can sicken people, horses, many types of birds and other animals. It is not spread from horses to other animals. WNV cases were confirmed last year for 26 horses in Yakima County; 10 horses in Grant County; four horses in Benton County; and one horse in Kittitas County. In previous years, WNV horse cases have been detected in Western Washington as well.

Although the first confirmed case of WNV in a horse last year wasn't reported until Aug. 1, there is no guarantee it will take that long for it to show up this year, according to State Veterinarian Dr. Leonard Eldridge. "Nearly all of horses that acquired West Nile virus last year did not have current vaccinations," Eldridge said. "It's a shame that unvaccinated horses continue to be one of our best sources warning that the virus is active in a local community." Eldridge said that older, sick or weak horses have less chance of survival if infected. WNV is fatal in about one-third of all horses that show clinical signs, although most horses do not become ill and show no symptoms at all. Those that do become ill display loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, fever, stiffness and muscle weakness, particularly in the hindquarters. "Vaccinating your horse or getting the proper booster shots is the best way to help protect your animal and prevent greater expense from treating your horse after the disease is acquired," Eldridge said. "A spring dose of vaccine, even in previously vaccinated horses, is necessary to maintain protective immunity in most horses."
Horse owners should consult with their veterinarians for vaccination recommendations and WNV control measures. The vaccine requires two doses the first year of vaccination two to four weeks apart. Immunity will not be achieved until three to five weeks after the second vaccination, so it's important to avoid waiting until mosquito season is in full swing. An annual booster dose should be administered prior to the start of the mosquito season.

The state veterinarian also recommends that horse owners take measures to reduce mosquito populations. Precautions include removing standing water from yards and barns and changing water in troughs or bird baths that could be a source of mosquito breeding. State and local health, mosquito control districts, other state agencies and volunteers work together on environmental monitoring and prevention measures for the virus. Additional information on WNV can be found at the state Department of Health Web site.
Note: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service maintains a Web site showing West Nile virus distribution maps, 1999 - 2008. Annual trends in U.S. distribution of equine West Nile virus cases.

Important Issues

Cold Weather Tips

The WSVMA wants DVMs and pet owners to be ready for the upcoming winter. In the wake of last winter, here are some cold weather tips for keeping your clients and pets healthy. (more)

Resources on horse issues for owners

The Horse.com. The electronic version of The Horse Magazine, The Horse.com, has an article on its web site about horse neglect.

Unwanted Horse Coalition

The Unwanted Horse Coalition has its brochure and booklet available on its site as PDFs.

American Horse Council

The American Horse Council in conjunction with USDA, sponsored a June 18 forum on unwanted horses. The news release is available under Newsroom/Publications. Also at the "Newsroom/Publications" link on AHC's web site, horse owners can order a care and handling handbook for $10, Care and Handling Guidelines for the Horse Owner.

Avian Influenza

Canine Influenza

Animal Health

Washington State Veterinary Medical Association
8024 Bracken Pl SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Phone: (425) 396-3191, FAX: (425) 396-3192, E-Mail: info@wsvma.org

Pet Owners Newsroom

October 2009

September 2009

June 2009