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West Nile Virus confirmed in Kentucky horse
US vets have confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus in a horse from Kentucky.

Discovery is the US state’s second case of 2019

US vets have confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a horse from Kentucky.

According to The Horse.com, the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the presence of the disease in a five-month-old rocky mountain horse from Powell County.

On Wednesday (9 October), the horse presented with clinical signs compatible with the disease. Vets collected and tested a sample from the horse the following day.

The horse, which had not been vaccinated against WNV, failed to respond to treatment and its condition gradually deteriorated until it died.

This is the second horse to be confirmed with WNV in Kentucky this year. In September, officials at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture confirmed the disease in a seven-year-old Paint gelding.

Other US states that are reported to have confirmed equine WNV cases include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Washington.

WNV is an incurable condition, but with supportive care, some horses do recover. The disease is spread by infected mosquitos, with clinical signs including mild anorexia, drowsiness and asymmetrical ataxia.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends all horses are vaccinated against WNV at least once a year.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."