08/21/06 Horses and Potomac Fever

American Rancher August 21, 2006 Not only do horse owners need to be aware of West Nile virus, but in Idaho there are increasing cases of Potomac Fever. Blackfoot veterinarian Sarah Jacobsen saw one case of Potomac Fever prior to last year. So far this year she's seen eight horses that have contracted the disease which is carried by small, white snails. JACOBSEN "Cases we see are horses that are either on flood irrigated pasture or grazing right on the river or right on a stream." Doctor Jacobsen says there is an effective vaccine for horses; actually two different ones are on the market. JACOBSEN "They do need to make sure the first year the horse gets it that they get the initial vaccine and then a booster in one month and then after that you just give a shot every spring." The bacterial disease can kill a horse that's left untreated. Treatment within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms is essential. Jacobsen says it's not unusual for a horse to lose several hundred pounds because of Potomac Fever. JACOBSEN "Usually the first presenting sign is watery diarrhea. Where we lose horses to it is usually to dehydration and to secondary infections that come in." The immunization costs about 20 dollars. Treating a horse with the disease can cost up to two thousand dollars. And Jacobsen says she'd rather make less money with vaccinations that having to watch a horse that needs treatment. I'm Bob Hoff.