Submitted by GSPCA on 11:54, 24th Feb, 2014 | 0

Following the death of a horse in Guernsey the GSPCA would like to draw horse owners attention to information released recently by the States Vet David Chamberlain:

The States Veterinary Officer would like to advise horse owners of the confirmed presence on the Island of the disease Equine Grass Sickness (EGS) which has been confirmed by laboratory analysis at the Animal Health Trust to be the cause of the death of a horse in the last 10 days

EGS is a debilitating and predominantly fatal disease affecting grazing horses, ponies, and donkeys. There is no evidence that EGS occurs in other animals or humans.

There are three recognised forms of EGS, acute, sub-acute and chronic depending upon the speed of onset of the disease and the time a horse survives. 

Currently there is no specific treatment or preventative treatment available so any treatment is aimed at managing symptoms.  If it is apparent that it is not possible to manage the symptoms that distress the horse, then euthanasia should be considered to avoid unnecessary suffering.

If horse owners have any concerns regarding EGS they are advise to contact their own private veterinary surgeons.

The recent occurrence of EGS in Guernsey may well have been caused by this winter’s unusual weather, triggering rapid grass growth and the rapid increase in levels of the causative bacteria in the horse’s gut.  

Clinical signs of EGS include:

  • abdominal pain
  • disruption of normal propulsive ability of the intestine
  • difficulty eating and poor appetite
  • increased heart rate
  • patchy sweating
  • increase saliva in the mouth and possible dribbling
  • drooping of the upper eyelid
  • reduced nasal secretions resulting in a crusty nose
  • involuntary muscle twitching and weakness
  • depression

When disease is confirmed horse owners are advised to remove remaining horses from the field where the disease occurred. 

Additional Information

The cause of EGS has not been definitively resolved, but there is increasing evidence suggesting that it may be the result of infection involving a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum type C. 

Clostridium botulinum is a normal inhabitant of the intestine of animals and humans and is found widely in the outdoor environment especially soil. 

It is suggested that EGS occurs following ingestion of Clostridium botulinum from the environment at the same time as other risk factors that is the cause of disease.

The majority of clinical signs are related to paralysis within the digestive tract due to nerve damage caused by the release of a toxin by the bacteria.

Click here for a document from ‘Equine Grass Sickness Surveillance’ which provides information regarding ‘Risk Factors Associated with EGS’ which has been provided by Jo Ireland of the AHT for local information.  More information can be found at: http://www.grasssickness.org.uk/

To contact your vet details here is the information of the vet practices in Guernsey:

Isabelle Vets

Route Isabelle Surgery – 01481 723863

L’Islet Surgery – 01481 241056   

24 hour emergency service – 01481 723863

Web site – www.isabellevets.co.uk

Email - [email protected]

The Vetcare Centres

Les Eturs Veterinary Centre – 01481 257708

24 hour emergency service – 01481 252943

North Side Veterinary Centre - 01481 248464

24 hour emergency service – 01481 243883

St Martins Vetcare (Puffins) – 01481 238300

24 hour emergency service – 01481 238300

Web site - http://www.merialvetsite.com/sites/vetcare/home.html

Email - [email protected]  

Vets4Pets

Both surgeries can be contacted on 01481 239101

Web site - http://www.vets4pets.com/find-a-practice/vets4pets-guernsey/

Email – [email protected]

Have you seen the GSPCA horses at the Shelter? Please click here to get yours.

 

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To donate to Trinity and Edens Big Fish Appeal please call 01481 257261, pop along to the Animal Shelter in St Andrews, by post or by clicking the link below.

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There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA and you can even donate online by clicking the paypal link below.

 

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The following are events planned for 2014

 

Date

Event

 

17th – 21st February 2014

Half Term and Open Week at the GSPCA.  Our Training and Event Room will be open with items for sale, refreshments and animals in need of homes on view.

 

Wednesday 26th February 2014

Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm

For information on Volunteering please click here

930am Sunday 2nd  March 2014

Cat Basic First Aid & Care Training Course with the GSPCA – Minimum donation of £15 per person

http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/first-gspca-dog-first-aid-proves-enjoyable-and-educational-experience

630pm Thursday 6th March 2014

Dingle Dell’s Flying Visit at the Pavilion

http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/freedom-food-fund-raiser-pavilion-dingle-dells-flying-visit

930am Sunday 23rd March 2014

Dog Basic First Aid & Care Training Course with the GSPCA – Minimum donation of £15 per person

http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/first-gspca-dog-first-aid-proves-enjoyable-and-educational-experience

1st April – 5th May 2014

National Pet Adoption Month

 

Wednesday 2nd April 2014

Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm

For information on Volunteering please click here

Friday 4th April 2014

World Stray Day - Come see our stall in Market Square, St Peter Port

Date and details to be finalised

7th – 22nd April 2014

Guernsey Easter Term Break

 

Monday 28th April – 4th May 2014

GSPCA Cupcake Week

For more details please click here

5th – 11th May 2014

Rabbit Awareness Week

 

9th May 2014

Liberation Day – We are hoping to have a stall at the event in St Peter Port

http://www.guernseyliberationday.com/

Sunday 11th May 2014

Car Boot Sale with MENFUN

Details to follow

 

Wednesday 14th May 2014

Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm

For information on Volunteering please click here

1st – 30th June 2014

Microchip Month

 

Sunday 1st June 2014

GSPCA Summer Dog Show – To be held at Fairfields

Details to follow

Sunday 7th June 2014

Itex Walk – in 2013 we were lucky enough to be one of the nominated charities

http://www.itexwalk.gg/

Sunday 15th June 2014

Fathers Day Half Marathon – Do you fancy running for the GSPCA? To create your Just Giving sponsored event page please go to - http://www.justgiving.com/gspca

http://guernseyathletics.org.gg/half/

27th – 29th June 2013

Chaos Music Festival – Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event

 

Wednesday 2nd July 2014

Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm

For information on Volunteering please click here

Sunday 5th July 2014

Viva Las Vegas Summer Ball & Casino Night Saturday 5th July 2014 at St Pierre Park in aid of GSPCA & Thomson Memorial Trust

http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/viva-las-vegas-summer-ball-casino-night-saturday-5th-july-2014-st-pierre-park-aid-gspca-thomson

19th July – 31st August 2014

Guernsey Summer Term Break

 

8th – 9th August 2014

South Show - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event

Date and details to be finalised

13th – 14th August 2014

West Show - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event

Date and details to be finalised

16th August 2014

It’s A Knockout - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event

Date and details to be finalised

20th – 21st August 2014

North Show - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event

Date and details to be finalised

23rd August 2014

Donkey Derby - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event

Date and details to be finalised

24th August 2014

Guernsey Waterfront Marathon – Do you fancy running for the GSPCA? To create your Just Giving sponsored event page please go to - http://www.justgiving.com/gspca

http://www.guernseymarathon.gg/

 

Possibly 30th August 2014

GSPCA Flag Day - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event

Date and details to be finalised

Wednesday 3rd September 2014

Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm

For information on Volunteering please click here

Sunday 14th  September 2014

Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday

Date and details to be finalised

Saturday 4th October 2014

World Animal Day - Come see our stall in Market Square, St Peter Port

Date and details to be finalised

Saturday 4th October 2014

World Animal Day – PAWS for a pint an event around local pubs, bars and restaurants in Guernsey

Date and details to be finalised

Sunday 5th October 2014

Animal Castle

Details to follow

Sunday 12th October 2014

Car Boot Sale with MENFUN

Details to follow

Wednesday 24th October 2014

Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm

For information on Volunteering please click here

To be confirmed - November 2014

Halloween Style Fun Dog Show & Pet Picture Show

Date and details to be finalised

27th October – 2nd November 2014

Guernsey Half Break Term

 

To be confirmed - November 2014

GSPCA Halloween/Winter Ball

Date and details to be finalised

November 2014

Round Table Christmas Fayre

Date and details to be finalised

Wednesday 26th November 2014

Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm

For information on Volunteering please click here

Thursdays in December 2014

Stall in St Peter Port for the Late Night Shopping

 

22nd December 2014

Guernsey  Christmas Term Break starts

 

Sunday 14th December 2014

GSPCA Christmas Themed Santa Style Dog Sponsored Walk. To create your Just Giving sponsored event page please go to - http://www.justgiving.com/gspca

 

 

To find out about how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, Events, our Cattery Appeal and much more please click here.

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