The Ohio Department of Agriculture has announced new veterinary inspection requirements for horses entering Ohio from states reporting vesicular stomatitis cases. This applies to all horses, including those intending to participate at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress.

“All equine entering Ohio from a state where VSV has been diagnosed within the past seven days, or a state that contains a premises quarantined for VSV, shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate) dated within seven days of entry, containing the following statement, ‘All animals identified on the certificate of veterinary inspection have been inspected and found to be free from clinical signs of vesicular stomatitis,’ ” said Dr. Tony Forshey, the Ohio state veterinarian.

View the official statement regarding the updated travel requirements.

For more information about the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, visit www.quarterhorsecongress.com.

About Vesicular Stomatitis
VSV is a viral disease of horses, donkeys, mules, cattle and swine. Initial symptoms include excessive salivation and reluctance to eat or drink. Clinical signs include vesicles, erosions and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, ears, teats and coronary bands of their hooves. Lameness or weight loss may follow. Body temperature may rise immediately before or at the same time lesions first appear.

Follow these tips to help prevent disease outbreaks at home and on the road.

Visit the Equine Disease Communication Center for updates on current disease outbreaks at www.equinediseasecc.org/alerts/outbreaks.