Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome Timeline (Cont.)
Updated: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 9:42 AM
Posted: Monday, May 14, 2001 4:10 PM
May 12 -- Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center reports an additional 14 aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals for diagnostic testing/evaluation submitted that day (through noon). The total submitted since April 28, 2001, is 418.
May 12 -- Dr. Rhonda Rathgeber of Hagyard-Davidson-McGee reports eight cases of laminitis with associated colitis in riding horses. She said that is as many as she usually sees in a year.
May 13 -- Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center reports an additional 12 aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (10 late-term and two early-term) for diagnostic testing/evaluation submitted that day (through noon). The total submitted since April 28, 2001, is 430.
May 14 -- At least 30 cases of pericarditis have been seen at area veterinary clinics in the past week.
May 14 -- Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center reports an additional 12 aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (seven late-term and five early-term) for diagnostic testing/evaluation submitted that day (through noon). The total submitted since April 28, 2001, is 442.
May 14 -- An abnormal number of eye problems are being seen in area horses, not necessarily in aborting mares.
May 14 -- European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders suggests holding horses, however there is no ban.
May 14 -- Researchers request that samples from first-cutting, Kentucky raised hay made prior to May 5 be sent to the Gluck Equine Research Center for testing.
May 15 -- Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center reports an additional 26 aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (18 late-term and eight early-term) for diagnostic testing/evaluation submitted that day (through noon). The total submitted since April 28, 2001, is 468.
May 16 -- As of noon May 16, the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center had received nine additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (five early-term and four late-term) for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total received since April 28, 2001, is 477.
May 16 -- Recommendations are posted from the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners (KAEP) veterinarians requesting owners submit feed concentrate and frozen manure samples for mares with both normal deliveries and Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome to the diagnostic lab.
May 17 -- The Blood-Horse, Inc. announces that it will contribute a portion of its advertising revenues for the remainder of 2001 to the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky, to support further research into the Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome.
May 17 -- As of noon, a total of 9 additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (5 late-term and 4 early-term) have been submitted for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total as of this count since April 28, 2001 is 486.
May 17 -- Dr. Doug Byars of Hagyard-Davidson-McGee reports that the clinic has seen 40 cases of pericarditis (fluid in the sac around the heart) in the past two weeks.
May 18 -- The Ohio Department of Agriculture's Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory reduces the cost of their tests to $50 and continues to request that aborted foals and fetuses and pasture samples be sent in for testing. Ten Ohio counties have been experiencing problems similar to those found in Kentucky.
May 18 -- Lexington, Ky., feed companies are busy filling orders for bags and buckets of mycotoxin binder from horse owners in 15 states throughout the East Coast.
May 18 -- As of noon, a total of 11 additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (8 late-term and 3 early-term) have been submitted for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total as of this count since April 28, 2001 is 497.
May 19 -- As of noon, a total of 11 additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (9 late-term and 2 early-term) have been submitted for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total as of this count since April 28, 2001 is 508.
May 19 -- A group of veterinarians met with Dr. Peter Timoney, head of the Gluck Equine Research Center, and formed an ex-officio communication committee for the exchange of information between researchers and veterinarians in the field.
May 20 -- As of noon, the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center had received eight additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (eight early-term and no late-term) for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total received since April 28, 2001, is 516.
May 20 -- The investigative analysis team, headed by Dr. Thomas Tobin, requests samples of mare colostrum from either affected mares or normal mares, collected between April 17 and present.
May 21 -- As of noon, a total of 12 additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (11 late-term and 1 early-term) have been submitted for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total as of this count since April 28, 2001 is 528.
May 22 -- As of noon, the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center had received only one additional aborted equine fetus for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total received since April 28, 2001, is 529.
May 23 -- Senators seek legislation to provide low-interest loans for horse breeders.
May 23 -- Researchers Shift Attention to the Eastern tent caterpillar
May 23 -- The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture reports that additional pasture and hay sample results continue to be negative for all mycotoxins, adding further evidence that mycotoxins are not the cause of the syndrome. Researchers have received a total of 202 hay/pasture samples and five colostrum samples.
May 23 -- Dr. Doug Byars, Internal Medicine, Hagyard-Davidson-McGee, reported the hospital is still seeing a few foaling mares with problems, a slowing of early fetal loss problems in the field, some problems related to horses in confinement and overall a much improved situation as compared to the last few weeks
May 24 -- The Jockey Club asks breeders to submit their 2001 Live Foal/No Foal Reports as soon as possible after the birth of the foal or when it is determined that a mare will not produce a live foal this year.
May 24 -- A reproductive study examining the breeding records of four Central Kentucky Thoroughbred farms reveals that nearly 30% of mares bred between early February and early May 2001 who were declared at one time to be in foal, lost those foals.
May 24 -- An informational sharing meeting at Keeneland's sales pavilion revealed results from a variety of tests. Researchers believe that that cyanide from black cherry trees is involved, along with the Eastern tent caterpillar, in Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome. Mycotoxins, phyto-estrogens, and ergot alkaloids have been ruled out, however more tests are being run to confirm the cyanide hypothesis.
May 24 -- No cases were sent in to the diagnostic lab.
May 25 -- An update was sent to all state veterinarians.
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