Equine

West Nile Virus Confirmed in Weld County Horse

The Colorado State Veterinarian’s office has confirmed the first case of equine West Nile Virus (WNV) of 2023 in a gelding residing in Weld County. The horse presented with sudden neurological symptoms including weakness, stumbling and recumbency and was euthanized as a result of his condition. The age and vaccine status for this gelding are unknown.  

FDA Issues Advisory Warning About Recalled Alfalfa Following Equine Deaths Linked to Feed

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) are cautioning horse owners not to feed Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522, and 111622. Consumers who have products marked with those date codes or who are unsure of the date code should throw them away in a secure container and follow the handling and cleaning instructions below.

Pueblo County Horse Euthanized Due To Equine Infectious Anemia

The Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office has received confirmation that a horse in Pueblo County tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). Samples from the horse initially tested positive at the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory on June 2, 2022. A second sample was collected and the EIA-positive results were confirmed by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on June 14, 2022. 

State Veterinarian Statement on Cañon City Wild Horse and Burro Facility disease outbreak

The Colorado State Veterinarian's Office was notified on April 23 about the disease outbreak that has resulted in the death of 85 horses at the Cañon City Wild Horse and Burro Facility. The Bureau of Land Management and the US Department of Agriculture are actively investigating the incident and monitoring the wellbeing of the animals at the facility. CDA is working with the two agencies to support their response to this incident.