Speaking at the Eighth International Conference on Equine Infectious Diseases, D. Knowles, Jr. said that Equine babesiosis, caused by either of the 2 distinct protozoan parasites, Babesia equi or Babesia caballi, continues to have significant impact on the international movement of horses.

The greatest risk for introduction of this disease into Canada or other non-endemic areas is through trading of animals or international equestrian sports, where infected and non-infected animals are in contact. Many disease free countries have the climate suitable for a foreign tick vector, or have ticks which could act as vectors.

Dryland distemper is also known as pigeon fever. The chest and underbelly become swollen, then abscesses form in these areas within one to four weeks. The duration of the disease varies from weeks to months, depending on the severity of the abscesses.

Equine veterinarians at Colorado State University's (CSU) James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital report a serious increase in the number of cases of pigeon fever they have treated since early fall 2002 and warn horse owners to be alert for signs of the highly contagious disease.

Sarcocystis Neurona Vaccine from Ford Dodge Animal Health is the only vaccine that may aid in the prevention of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, a devastating and costly disease that is the most common neurological condition affecting horses in North and South America.

A 5-year-old Paso-Fino mare foaled 2 months prior to presentation at the University of Florida VMTH. There was no history of previous health problems, although weight loss was detected in the mare during pregnancy and continued postpartum. The owners presented the mare to the referring veterinarian after observing an episode of coughing.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative, aerobic rod, belonging to the bacterial family Pseudomonadaceae. The family includes Xanthomonas, which together with Pseudomonas, comprise the informal group of bacteria known as Pseudomonads. These bacteria are common inhabitants of soil and water.

EPM is a neurological disease caused by a small single-celled protozoal parasite called Sarcocystis neurona. This organism does not spread from horse to horse. Horses are infected by eating feed or drinking water contaminated by infected opossum feces.

Equine Babesiosis (piroplasmosis), a disease of equids in many regions of the world, is caused by the tick-borne hemoprotozoans Babesia equi and Babesia caballi. The central concern is the risk and consequences of entry of these parasites through international movement of horses into the USA, where equine piroplasmosis is limited to Florida.

Equine Piroplasmosis is present in South and Center America, the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico), Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern and Southern Europe. Only the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, England and Ireland are not considered to be endemic areas.