The Kennewick courier-reporter and the White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1938-1939, 1938-09-29
Extension Office
to Vaccinate for
Disease of Horses

Disease OF Horses
AS yet no control program has
been offered which has been hugely
effective in controlling the infec-
tious equine encephalomyelitis., a
communication from County Agent
Skuse states. However, the var
ious states and the federal govern
ment are making every effort to
work out satisfactory control pro-
gram for this disease. Information
now available warrants, first; iso-
lation OF affected animals in
screened quarters when possible, or
failing in this, preventing insect
bites by the repeated use Of appro-
pirate repellent sprays. Second,
segregate the normal animals and
place them in screened quarters.
Third, keep horses, not at work,
stabbed during the season Of in
sect prevalence. The use Of insect
sprays and nets on the horses
In the field is to be encouraged
Fourth, animals dead Of the disease
should be disposed Of promptly by
burning or burying deeply In quick
lime, and the stables, shed, corrak.
ETC., used BY the affected animals
should be thoroughly cleaned. Fol-
lowing cleaning they should be dis
infected and q 2 percent solution Of
I've or l percent solution Of forma-
lin are preferred as disinfectants.
Fifth, determination Of rate, mice
and other vermin Is advisable on
general principles. sixth, while
rigid general quarantine restrictions
have not yet been found practical,
the movement Of horses from an
episootic area into q clean area
should be discouraged during an
outbreak. Seventh, anti-encephal-
omyelitis serum which has some
protective value may be used. The
question of whether or how to use
the serum cannot be outlined by
simple rules and must be consider
ed as matter for the qualified vet
erinarian's decision In each case.
Other vaccines have been used with
variable success and 1t may be that
eventually. q vaccine will be pro-
duced which win give the desired
protection against the disease.
When vaccination Is undertaken 1t
should consist OF two injections
seven to fourteen days apart and
should be. completed by the veter-
marian at least 80 days before the
disease is expected to make its ap-..
pearance. Vaccination during an
outbreak is not nearly so effective
as when carried out before exposure
takes place.
Highly valued animals, at least,
justify the cost Of vaccination and
even though all animals may not
be vaccinated the few which are so
treated may help to reduce the to-
tai number of cases which might ap-
pear in an autbreak. ~
Treatment
hTere are no specific thera-
peutic agents known for the treat
ment Of the malady. The use of
serum Is quite extensive and is q
matter for the qualified veterinar-
ian's decision ir each case. Such
additional treatments as is indicat-
ed by the symptoms and course Of
the illness In each case should be
applied only 1t the discretion Of the
attending veterinarian. Improper
treatment may do more harm than
good Quiet, cool, comfortable quar-
tiers, protection Of the animal
against possible injury by the use
of abundant bedding or sings sus-
pended in q well-padded frame.
permitting and encouraging the an
imal to drink fresh water at all
times and supplying small quanti-
ties OF succulent feed when it will
be taken, are advisable. All cases
Of etquine encephalomyelitis should
be reported either by the owner or
by the veterinarian to the super
visor Of the Dairy and Livestock Dr.
vision at Olympia, or the County
Agent.
A vaccination campaign In con-
junction with the County Extension
Office is planned for next spring.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Connolly of
Richland were in Spokane Friday