May 18, 2010 - Piroplasmosis update -Michigan
All equidae (horses, donkeys, ponies, zebras) must test negative to an official test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) within the current calendar year, except equidae that are both nursing and are six months of age or younger. A "Calendar Year" means the current 13-month period commencing with December 1 and ending December 31 of the following year (Public Act 466 of 1988, as amended, the Animal Industry Act). Test results, date, name of laboratory, and accession number of the test must be on the health certificate.

All equidae must have a current official interstate health certificate or official certificate of veterinary inspection. Health certificate is valid for 30 days.

PIROPLASMOSIS - Equidae coming from or originating from any state in which there has been a diagnosed case of piroplasmosis in the past 12 months shall meet the following:
Have tested negative by c-ELISA or IFA to piroplasmosis within the past twelve months prior to importation.
Be accompanied by an interstate health certificate or certificate of veterinary inspection.
Horses from premises currently under quarantine for piroplasmosis shall not be imported into Michigan.

February 22, 2010 - Piroplasmosis requirements for passports

Please note that is your are traveling to Michigan from Wisconsin with your horse, an additional blood test (Piroplasmosis) is required. Until now, a current coggings and health certificate was all that was needed. Testing for piroplasmosis is a simple blood test but the labs approved for running the test are limited. Our concern is that turn around time necessary for the drawing the blood, shipping and return of test results may take a week or more. Please plan ahead, allowing enough time for testing and results. We would hate for you to miss your trip due to these new regulations.

For those who have passports for their horses or are thinking of getting a passport for their horse we can start them or update them. For information on acquiring an equine passport go to www.usef.org/. Click here for USEF passport application forms.

August 13, 2009 - Livestock Premises Registration

Premises registration is now mandatory in the state of Wisconsin. Registration is for the premises only, not individual animals, and is a way of identifying susceptible populations should a disease outbreak occur.

Who needs to register? Anyone who has livestock on their property. “Livestock” includes, but is not limited to, horses, camelids, goats, pigs, & sheep. All farms, stables, & hobby farms are included, even if you have just a couple of animals in your backyard.

There is no charge for the Premise Registration. For answers to questions and to find out how to register, you can go to the Website for the Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/premises/index.jsp .

Premise registration is becoming required for some shows and is required for health certificates, both within the state of Wisconsin and in other states.

You can also call the state with any questions at: 608-224-4680 or email at annette.carasco@wisconsin.gov .

May 5, 2009 - H1N1 Flu - Swine Flu

With the recent media coverage of the H1N1 flu, we at Bristol Vet Service would like to relay some information provided to us by the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. The important thing to remember is that this strain, to date, has no evidence it originated in pigs or that it is spread from pigs to people.

Be assured that the swine practitioners have taken every step necessary to increase surveillance even though there is NO evidence this virus is found in pigs. This virus is spread from person to person. The incubation period of this virus is estimated to be 1 – 8 days, typically about 48 hours.

As with any flu, good general health hygiene is important. Be vigilant about washing your hands, particularly after coughing or sneezing. If you experience flu-like symptoms, contact your physician.

February 4, 2009 - Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)

Several inquires have been received in regard to recent CEM (Contagious Equine Metritis) medical alert. CEM is currently present in Wisconsin, in addition to forty-four other states. Several stallions were found to have exposed several hundred mares throughout the country, and state and federal veterinary officials have traced the exposed individuals to impose quarantine and treatment, if necessary.

The majority of horse owners have little reason for concern as CEM is a sexually transmitted disease of stallions and mares, and only affects the breeding population. CEM is only spread through breeding activity, but this does include potential exposure through artificial insemination with shipped semen. Unless you have a breeding mare or stallion that was exposed to one of the infected stallions, there is little cause for concern at this time. For any of you with specific concerns, please contact our office during our regular business hours and one of our doctors would be happy to provide you with additional information.