San Pedro Veterinary Service, PLC

11/22/2025

AZ EHV update. State Veterinarian has released statement tonight 11/21 that 3 horses on 2 premises have tested positive for EHV. These animals were tested because they were in attendance at the events in Waco, TX and were traced back to AZ via health certificates. The animals were under quarantine and testing was conducted not because of symptoms but potential exposure. At this time, no AZ animals have been symptomatic with respiratory or neurological signs. The positive test animals were tested because of disease traceability and their presence in Waco, TX. This highlights the importance of attaining travel paperwork appropriately when traveling. Additional, premises are under quarantine because animals on AZ premises were at the events in TX and OK at an abundance of caution, not because of positive/symptomatic animals on these premises.

Its important to get facts right. Current disease tracing has all cases directly tied to the events in TX and OK with all positive animals having been at one of the events. No, secondary cases have been reported at this time. So if you've not traveled with equine and don't associate with rodeo community, risk for disease remains low. If you have traveled, or associated with individuals who were at those events, please self quarantine and be responsible owners.

11/21/2025

For our clients, this weather is more likely to cause colic than your horse is to be impacted by EHV outbreak. Monitor water.

11/20/2025

For perspective. 2011 Utah EHV outbreak. 2100 horses exposed. 90 confirmed cases. 13 deaths. That's less than 1% fatality rate and less than 5% infection rate

11/20/2025

For those that are still actively in panic mood about the current EHV1 outbreak, please use the following page to monitor where cases are. There are only confirmed cases in 3 states currently: TX, OK and LA.

There is significant misinformation being posted. Best information is coming from EDCC and State Veterinarian Offices. Your local veterinarian is often also a good resource.

The Equine Disease Communication Center is monitoring an outbreak of EHM that originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event Nov 5-9. To date, officially confirmed cases have been reported in the following states-

11/20/2025

Let's all take a breath. We have been contacted by a number of you about the EHV outbreak in OK and TX as well as having witnessed panic over taking the equine world on social media. Everyone... Just Breathe.

Instead of mass hysteria and panic why don't we take a look at the actual situation and be practical about it all.
There have been EHM, which is the neurological variant of EHV1, confirmed cases in Texas and Oklahoma. These cases seem to trace back to a WPRA event in Waco, TX two weeks ago with horses from that event also being present at an event in Guthrie, OK. The events related to this outbreak are barrel races.
There have been no reported cases of EHV (or EHM) in Arizona as of earlier today according to the State Veterinarian's office. Nor any cases reported in relationship to any other equine discipline at this time.
Oklahoma failed to quarantine the Guthrie horses at BFA event to the Lazy E and many of these horses are currently en route to their home bases throughout the US.

EHV1 is a virus that most typically presents as a respiratory infection and is associated with abortions in pregnant mares. This virus is primarily transmitted via direct contact (nose to nose) but can also be transmitted on contaminated equipment, tack, clothing, facilities and other fomites. While there is no vaccine that is labelled for the prevention of the neurologic variant, the EHV vaccines that are labelled for abortion and respiratory disease likely offer some protection. Good vaccination protocol for the respiratory disease reduces the overall case numbers of respiratory EHV and thus likely reduces EHM cases. Typical presentation is fever (temp over 101.5), lethargy, nasal discharge, cough and inappetence. Additionally, can see abortions in pregnant mares. The neurological form often presents as weakness in hind end first and progresses quickly to down unable to rise over the course of hours. Treatment is targeted as supportive care. Prevention in form of good biosecurity and vaccinations is best practice.

Biosecurity is critical. It should be way of life always, not just when a disease outbreak is occurring.
For those that travel and compete, this is even more important. Do not share water buckets, or use community water sources. Keep your horse isolated to your own group of horses and limit interactions with unknown horses. It is good practice to isolate traveling and competing animals from home herds so that should they pick up something they don't share it with home herd. Average incubation period is 5-7days for most infectious diseases so a 10-14day quarantine should be in place for any new animals to the premise or any animals that have traveled recently. Quarantined animals should have temperatures monitored minimum twice daily for best practice.

For those that stay at home, take a deep breath. If your animals haven't been anywhere and are home bodies, their risk of EHV and EHM is extremely low. You should be aware of any local cases but cases in distant areas are unlikely to have any impact on your herd. If local cases do exist, just be mindful of clothing exposure that can occur especially shoes for yourself and the equine professionals visiting your herd. Our clients that are on a once a year vaccine protocol, this is yall.
Those of you that have been on a twice a year... this is not you and have you remembered to get your fall vaccine which is EHV/EIV.

We would like to remind everyone that EHV cases have occurred almost every winter in some part of the United States for the past 15 years... 2011 Ordan, UT NCHA was probably the first major outbreak. That outbreak resulted in 13 horses being euthanized, 90 positive animals and roughly 2000 head being exposed. The Ordan outbreak inspired the formation of the Equine Disease Communication Center and highlighted the need for disease traceability. Majority of EHV cases are the respiratory form which vaccines are labeled for.

Pause. Take the breath.
*AZ currently has no EHV cases
*Animals that have not traveled recently have minimum risk
*Quarantine animals that may have been exposed to those at these two events in OK and TX (rope horses and barrel horses primarily) and monitor their temperatures
*Reminder to always practice good biosecurity (not just when there is an outbreak)

If you suspect your animal might be showing signs, contact your veterinarian for additional guidance.

11/19/2025

Earlier this month, our Doctor went off and did some testing. 4 years earlier, he failed to finish the practical part of the ELPO barefoot trim certification within the time limit resulting in a no score. 2 weeks ago, he attempted this practical again. This time, he successfully completed the barefoot practical within time and with a passing score. He also passed the written part again. This results in him earning his level 2 certification from the ELPO which awards the title of certified barefoot trimmer (CBT). While there testing, he also attempted the level 3 examination which is a 3 part examination including a written, practical and forging part. On first attempted, he passed 2 of the 3 sections and has opportunity to retake the 3rd within the next year to complete the certification. This is just one of the farrier organizations that our Doctor is studying from and earning certifications from. We understand that one method may not work in all cases and working towards multiple certifications aids in understanding the available options. Nonetheless completely this certification was quite the achievement for the Doctor and some redemption after failing previously. But we understand that fail is the first attempt in learning and not only those who try fail.

11/18/2025

Around here it's not about telling the hoof care provider what to do. We try to guide them through the case, reviewing with them the history, discussing the current presentation, and allowing a plan to be formulated. We interject when necessary to ensure the well being and success of outcome but encourage the hoof care provider to think. This afternoon we had clinical case here for a laminitis event and a young farrier apprentice got to "lead" the case work up. We let him struggle through at times but those struggles help teach valuable lessons when later faced with a case and help isn't a few feet away. Overall, I think the decision to go with Easy Care Adapter is a brilliant option for cases like this. These amazing glue on shoes from Easy Care offer easy change bases in 4 styles. Once glued on the base can be swapped between 1. A wedge for reduced deep digital flexor tendon tension. 2. A clog type base for reduced leverage and stable platform 3. Roller motion for near zero heel to toe leverage and tendon tensions or 4. A tenotomy setup for those extreme cases that don't respond to other options and need to have more extreme tension relief. This unique option gives this horse the ability to endure having shoe applied once and then the bases swapped via 4 screws while attached. It was a great fit for this case as history and presentation suggested that this horse might be best in option 1 or 2. The hoof care provider elected to start with just the wedge. Comfort will be monitored and final base selected in a few days. The easy care adapter is a great therapeutic shoeing option when indecision is present or case is between therapies.

11/05/2025

For those that missed last night's lecture by our own doctor, tonight AAEP is hosting a free client education webinar on the same topic. We spoke about geriatric care last night. This also means that the final topic for our own client lecture series will be the highly asked for Cushings and Metabolic Syndrome talk. So we recommend checking out this free webinar in meantime before we are back for 1 more lecture.

DON'T MISS OUR LAST HORSE OWNER EDUCATION WEBINAR OF 2025! 📢

Join us next Wednesday, Nov. 5, for "Care and Management of the Elderly Equine".

Just like people, the needs of horses change as they continue to age. Members of the AAEP Horse Owner Education committee will present on a wide range of topics to help you properly care for the elderly equine in your life. Discussion points will include diet, dentistry, common diseases and illnesses, preventative care, and more. Do not miss this informative session on how to help your older horse live its best life!

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ah5yOsCebSifxMhDsKU4IL28l58V2uXLCCZy2BJfr1cVGkPrhte-~AkTrbyktZL-X6LN0LpntEqMChUPte_sAlD_Vc22m-q6fZUf_K_Bby90XhQ

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

11/04/2025

Lecture tonight 6pm. 1 of 2 final. Will either be geriatric care or Cushings/EMS

11/04/2025

We were notified earlier today by state vet that there are two premises under quarantine in county for vesicular stomatitis. This is a reportable disease because similar in appearance to the foreign animal disease foot and mouth disease. Presentation is often as oral lesions but can also included lesions around coronary band. Transmission is considered to be by flies and can infect multiple livestock species including cattle and horses. Should you suspect your animal has lesions please isolate them and contact your veterinarian for testing and confirmation. There is low long term health concerns but this has drastic impacts on travel. In past out of state travel was impacted with states requiring a veterinarian inspection within 7 days for interstate travel and some states have completely denied entry while quarantine was in place. Travel restrictions will apply to entire county so plan ahead.

We have no further details on the cases or quarantine timeline.

10/30/2025

We look at a moderate amount of outside radiogrpahs of hooves these days. Some times the disappointment we have in the technique quality of the image provided is huge. We took some time and wrote a quick write up about podiatry radiographs and some key technique points to get the most from every scenario. But before we post that, can anyone chime in to what's wrong with this image and why it is not useful. We feel it has 2 significant faults.

This is an outside image that we were granted permission to use. We are discussing the technique of the image not the subject of the image. Technique includes placement, energy, markers, labels, anything unrelated to the specific animal in image.

10/28/2025

Great learning opportunity for those that prefer to learn from couch vs in person. It'll be the night after we have our monthly education event potentially on same topic.

DON'T MISS OUR LAST HORSE OWNER EDUCATION WEBINAR OF 2025! 📢

Join us next Wednesday, Nov. 5, for "Care and Management of the Elderly Equine".

Just like people, the needs of horses change as they continue to age. Members of the AAEP Horse Owner Education committee will present on a wide range of topics to help you properly care for the elderly equine in your life. Discussion points will include diet, dentistry, common diseases and illnesses, preventative care, and more. Do not miss this informative session on how to help your older horse live its best life!

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ah5yOsCebSifxMhDsKU4IL28l58V2uXLCCZy2BJfr1cVGkPrhte-~AkTrbyktZL-X6LN0LpntEqMChUPte_sAlD_Vc22m-q6fZUf_K_Bby90XhQ

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.