 Processing ....
|
 Equine Current Topics
Equine Herpesvirus
This is a link to a special report prepared by Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant, on equine herpesvirus, aka "Rhino." Although the presentation is blatantly commercial, the articles themselves are factually accurate and even list reputable references. Just be aware that there are other vaccines and products on the market that are also effective and safe.
Prominently advertized is Pfizer's new product Zylexis, an immune stimulant with an extremely cool-sounding name that is claimed to reduce the severity and duration of equine herpesvirus infections but not to prevent infection. A study was cited on page 13 demonstrating Zylexis' efficacy. It is noteworthy that the treated horses were given a second and third dose of Zylexis two and five days post-infection, a feat that would be difficult to duplicate in reality because we never really know when exposure takes place in a naturally-acquired infection. Was it the first day of the show or the third? Moreover, the treated horses were given three initial treatments before exposure. Finally, the 40% and 58% reduction in clinical scores seems like a modest-at-best effect. It's like getting the flu and feeling 40% better. The five treatments each horse in the study got cost over $200. They got sick anyway, they still needed time off, and they only felt 40% better (but their noses were 58% cleaner). You have to wonder if it is worth it.
 The Equimax ad on the last page is particularly obnoxious and misleading. While it is true that nation-wide, 50% of horses may be infected with tapeworms, and while it is true that tapeworm infections can possibly cause life-threatening colic episodes, it is criminal to make the implication that tapeworm infections are highly lethal, as the ad seems to imply. It is definitely good to deworm for tapeworms, but perhaps the ad overstates the danger a bit.
|
|
