blue tounge?

[only_me]

does blue tounge affect horses in any way (ie. can they get it, any restrictions on travelling etc.?)

 

[the watcher]

i am just trying to make sense of the DEFRA guidelines now, but everything seems to refer to ruminant animals and there is no mention of horses regarding travelling. No, I don't think they can get it.

 

[william99]

No horses cant get blue tongue, sheep,cattle,pigs, goats llamas ect cloven hoof animals

 

[CharlieB_87]

I thought that horses could get blue tongue in the form of African Horse Sickness?

http://www.homeofrestforhorses.co.uk/news/newsitem/current/2007/mar/what.html

 

[only_me]

ahh i hope not... that sounds scary

 

[the watcher]

No, same insect type carrier, but different illness.

 

[archoak]

You are quite right CharlieB - this was reported in the Guardian this week, horse can get a form of Bluetongue - African Horse Sickness. It's no good just saying 'oh that's horrid I hope not' it's a fact and we should all be aware of the risks.

 

[only_me]

sorry applechaff

just thought that if a horse did get the midge bite it would be horrid...

its a bit like strangles - we all know the risks yet we all think "how horrid"

 

[Thistle]

It is likely that the bluetongue has come from holland and belgium which already has the disease. AHS is NOT endemic there so is unlikely to be indicated in this instance.

 

[archoak]

Sorry didn't mean to sound rude, I want it to go away as well

but it's better if everyone is aware and careful with farm animals as for FMD then hopefully it won't spread. Thistle is right - horses in Germany and Holland haven't as yet shown signs of blue tongue so hopefully there isn't a strain here that effects horses.