Preventing venereal disease in horses.

This research paper highlights the importance of preventing venereal diseases in horses, specifically equine viral arteritis (EVA) and contagious equine metritis (CEM) through adhering to the required health tests during artificial insemination processes. This is in response to recent outbreaks in France and the USA.

Background

• The article was written in the backdrop of recent outbreaks of equine viral arteritis (EVA) in France and contagious equine metritis (CEM) in the USA.
• The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) felt it necessary to remind veterinary surgeons of the importance of adhering to health testing requirements during horse artificial insemination (AI) to prevent these venereal diseases.

The Role of Veterinary Surgeons in Preventing Venereal Diseases

• The paper emphasizes that veterinary surgeons should not inseminate any semen unless it comes with an original health certificate. This is a legal requirement, especially for imported semen.
• The health certificate or accompanying documentation should confirm that the stallion is either tested free of EVA or has been vaccinated against it. The same applies to CEM and other bacterial venereal diseases.

Recommendations for Semen Collection

• Veterinary surgeons involved in collecting horse semen for AI should ensure the appropriate health tests have been conducted for stallions.
• Furthermore, they should ensure that health documents always accompany semen shipments.

Additional Resources

• The paper also advises that free copies of the HBLB codes can be obtained through email. These codes offer a thorough guide on the control of venereal diseases in horses.
• An EVA briefing document is available on BEVA’s website which gives more details on the disease.