D4-Uncaster Farming Saturday, July 26,1986
Early Detection Credi
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With
the June through October season
for Potomac horse fever well
under way, the number of
suspected cases reported so far in
Maryland and Virginia is about in
line with the past two or three
years.
But the number of equine deaths
attributable to confirmed cases of
the disease is down markedly, says
Martin G. Robl, the Potomac horse
fever coordinator for Maryland.
Dr. Robl is an assistant professor
at the College Park campus of the
Virginia-Maryland Regional
College of Veterinary Medicine.
Through June 30, there had been
35 suspected cases of Potomac
horse fever in Maryland and six in
Virginia, Robl reported. But there
had been no deaths in either state
which could be traced to confirmed
cases of the disease.
For the entire 1985 season there
were 117 cases and eight deaths.
Since the disease was first
recognized in 1979, there have been
518 cases and 115 deaths among
Maryland’s horse population.
The disease has been con
centrated in Montgomery and
Frederick counties in Maryland,
and in adjoining Virginia counties
along the Potomac river. It was
first reported to the animal health
world from this area about seven
years ago. Hence the name,
Potomac horse fever.
Since that time, the disease has
been diagnosed in Pennsylvania,
Illinois and a number of other
states-mostly along rivers and
other bodies of water. A portion of
the Hudson river valley in New
York is another area where the
disease recently has been
suspected. The exact means by
which the disease spreads is still
unknown. But suspicions point
toward an insect that lives near
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water.
A major reason for the sharp
drop in equine deaths is that
veterinarians and horse-owners in
the affected areas of Maryland and
Virginia have learned to recognize
early symptoms of the disease,
says Dr. Robl. This permits early
treatment of an animal before the
infection becomes serious.
Robl advises horse-owners in the
affected area to call their local
veterinarian as soon as a horse
becomes dull and lethargic, and is
not eating. Even then, a horse may
already be very sick.
A better barometer for early
diagnosis is the horse’s tem
perature. Edwin E. Goodwin,
Extension horse specialist at the
University of - Maryland, recom
mends recording daily tem
peratures of each horse on a barn
chart. He notes that the normal
body temperature of a horse
should be in a range of 99 to 100.5
degrees F.
Keep in mind that the tem
perature of a horse can fluctuate in
relationship to the weather, Dr.
Goodwin commented. He advises
taking temperatures at the same
time each day, preferably in the
morning-before a horse starts its
daily workout. Rectal ther
mometers are the thing to use with
horses. Experienced handlers
often tie a string on the ther
mometer to avoid losing it inside
the horse.
Call your local veterinarian as
soon as you detect a rise of 1.5 to 3
degrees F. above the normal
temperature of a particular horse.
In the initial stages of Potomac
horse fever, there is a marked
decrease in the white blood cell
count. Later, the count comes back
up. With a salmonella infection,
TUT
NERSHEY EQUIPMENT
INC.
ted For Reducing Potomac Fever Deaths
the white blood count goes up
immediately. An accurate blood
serum analysis is important in
distinguishing between Potomac
horse fever and salmonella in
fection in a horse. Outward
symptoms are very similar. But
the treatments can differ widely.
Although it has not been proved
under laboratory conditions,
veterinarians in the field have
found that tetracycline seems to be
an effective antibiotic in con
*
HANNIBAL, NY - This year’s
New York State Charolais
Association Field Day will be
hosted by Mary and Bob’s Farm in
Hannibal on Sunday, July 27, at
11:00 a.m. The program has
something to offer for all, from the
junior members through the
seniors. For the early arrivals,
there will be tours of the new
fencing systems which Rick and
Bob have put up this year, followed
at 11 a m hv a orientation on the
YORK - York County's 26th
annual copperhead snake roundup
and reptile show is scheduled for
Saturday, August 16, 1986, with
headquarters at Indian Steps
Museum located in Lower Chan
ceford Township along the
Susquehanna River just off Route
425.
Dale Leiphart, vice-president of
the sponsoring Conservation
Society of York County, said that
reptiles from all ovpp tfcp world
HANDLES THE FOLLOWING
EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND PARTS
Dropping Boards
Egg Belt
Fox Valves
Expanded Metal Floor
Time Clocks
Thermostats
Timers
Pressure Regulators
Water Filters
Egg Room Coolers
Egg Room Doors
Auger Pan Feeders
8’ Hanging Waterers
Power Failure Alarms
Winches & Pulleys
Generators
Fans
Hart Waterers
Val Waterers
Layer & Chick Cages
Round Hanging Waterers
Motors
Screw Hooks & Chain
Nests
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LJ I sycamore mo
HERSHEY EQUIPMENT
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NY Charolais Field Day Set For Tomorrow
York Go. To Hold Snake Roundup
trolling Potomac horse fever. But
treating a salmonella infection
with tetracycline would be a
mistake, since tetracycline kills off
the “good” organisms, allowing
the salmonella organisms to run
rampant in an uninhibited
population explosion.
Even though tetracycline has
been credited by field
veterinarians with greatly
reducing the number of deaths
from Potomac horse fever,
system by Eric Scott.
The main speaker for the day
will be Keith Severson, extension
agent for Oswego, Madison, and
Onondaga Counties on the topic of
“Management of Your Assets to
Maximize Their Potential,” and he
will expand on the topics of in
tensive grazing and other
utilization of your farm’s facilities.
Further discussion is also ex
pected on the recent innovative
will be on display.
In addition to the snake displays,
spectators will have the op
portunity to observe other sports
displays and demonstrations, tour
the museum, visit the Harry
Allaman Nature Center and hike
the nature trail.
The number of copperheads
taken in the roundup isn’t really
important, according to Leiphart.
“We are interested in informing
Hog House Ventilation
Plasson Waterers
Hog Nipple Drinkers
Turkey Feeders
Varco-Pruden Buildings
Farrowing Crates
Grain Bins
Hog Feeders
Bucket Elevators
Grain Dryers
Brooders
Cage Feeders
Nursery Feeders
Gas & Water Hose
Stainless & Galv. Cable
Gestation Stalls
Cable Pit Cleaners
Bulk Feed Bins
Flex Auger Fill Systems
Pullet Transport Carts
Cage Nipple Drinkers
Manure Augers
Hanging Feeders
Broiler Feeders
Maryland’s Dr. Martin Robl says
that he cannot recommend it of
ficially. He notes that early
diagnosis and prompt treatment
with electrolyte fluids also can
prevent most equine deaths.
Tetracyclines could do harm to a
horse in cases where an incorrect
medical diagnosis has been made.
On the other hand, ordinary
electrolyte fluids have no potential
for harming a horse.
marketing concept used by Mary
and Bob’s Farm for sale of
Charolais “Lite Beef.”
For the young members in at
tendance, a demonstration on how
to prepare a heifer for show is
under the direction of Don House of
Benton Knolls Farm in Penn Yan.
To get to the Scott’s Farm,
proceed about one mile west of
Hannibal on New York Route 104 to
Wiltsieville Road where you turn
North for one mile.
the public about reptiles and their
value in the balance of nature. All
copperheads captured will be
released in the vicinity where
captured under the supervision of
the Society”.
Prizes will be awarded for the
largest and most copperheads
captured. The hunt starts at 8 a.m.
and ends at 4 p.m. All hunters must
register to quality for an award.
Route 30 West at Hit
Centerville £*it