QueensOrchard
New User
Hi, has anyone used Florencio in the last few years and has the mare contracted the EVA virus? (The stud claim the virus does not shed in the semen)
Florencio - EVA contamination
- Thread starter QueensOrchard
- Start date
AndyPandy
Well-Known Member
As I understand it, Florencio has been treated with a gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, or a GnRH vaccine. This has the downstream effect of reducing his testosterone levels. Because EVA shedding is testosterone-dependant, this prevents the virus from being shed in his semen.
In order to send semen within Europe, at the time of entry into the export centre his semen must have been checked via virus isolation test to show that he is not a shedder, so at the time he was tested he will not have been shedding.
However, there has been suggestion that the GnRH antagonist/vaccine treatment does not produce a permanent effect and that the stallion may begin shedding again. No precise figures are available for this, and I imagine that his semen is regularly tested, so if he began shedding again he would be pulled from the export market.
If you are very keen to use him, but have any concerns, then the sensible action would be to vaccinate your mare against EVA as a matter of precaution. Then you get to use him, and your mare (and any other animals) are protected should any EVA be shed in his semen.
In order to send semen within Europe, at the time of entry into the export centre his semen must have been checked via virus isolation test to show that he is not a shedder, so at the time he was tested he will not have been shedding.
However, there has been suggestion that the GnRH antagonist/vaccine treatment does not produce a permanent effect and that the stallion may begin shedding again. No precise figures are available for this, and I imagine that his semen is regularly tested, so if he began shedding again he would be pulled from the export market.
If you are very keen to use him, but have any concerns, then the sensible action would be to vaccinate your mare against EVA as a matter of precaution. Then you get to use him, and your mare (and any other animals) are protected should any EVA be shed in his semen.
Anastasia
Well-Known Member
Just as AP said above. Contact Jeannette Nijhof the owners if you want to know the full story regarding him.
Halfstep
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
If you are very keen to use him, but have any concerns, then the sensible action would be to vaccinate your mare against EVA as a matter of precaution. Then you get to use him, and your mare (and any other animals) are protected should any EVA be shed in his semen.
[/ QUOTE ]
Andy, may I ask a (possibly ignorant) question? Are there any concerns about the EVA vaccination? If mares can be vaccinated, is EVA even an issue? Thanks!
If you are very keen to use him, but have any concerns, then the sensible action would be to vaccinate your mare against EVA as a matter of precaution. Then you get to use him, and your mare (and any other animals) are protected should any EVA be shed in his semen.
[/ QUOTE ]
Andy, may I ask a (possibly ignorant) question? Are there any concerns about the EVA vaccination? If mares can be vaccinated, is EVA even an issue? Thanks!
AndyPandy
Well-Known Member
It's certainly not an ignorant question... a good deal of people (vets included) are not aware that the vaccine (Arvac/Artevac) even exists.
It should be given to empty mares, 3+ weeks prior to breeding, or after foaling (but still 3+ weeks prior to her next breeding). As with any vaccine, it should not be given to a stressed animal. It must be repeated annually
The only awkward thing with it is that a vaccinated animal and an infected animal show up the same in a blood test (which looks for EVA/EAV antibodies). Therefore you must keep careful records of vaccination, otherwise mares may be put under surveillance by DEFRA pending a second set of bloods that show stable or declining antibodies for EVA and stallions may be required to undergo a semen virus-isolation test.
Hope that just about makes sense
It should be given to empty mares, 3+ weeks prior to breeding, or after foaling (but still 3+ weeks prior to her next breeding). As with any vaccine, it should not be given to a stressed animal. It must be repeated annually
The only awkward thing with it is that a vaccinated animal and an infected animal show up the same in a blood test (which looks for EVA/EAV antibodies). Therefore you must keep careful records of vaccination, otherwise mares may be put under surveillance by DEFRA pending a second set of bloods that show stable or declining antibodies for EVA and stallions may be required to undergo a semen virus-isolation test.
Hope that just about makes sense
Halfstep
Well-Known Member
That makes perfect sense, many thanks. Very interesting and a lot to think about.
QueensOrchard
New User
Thank you very much for your response I had not heard of the vaccination and am going to find out more about it. Of course I have already spoken to Jeanette Nijhof and have read everything I could find re the treatment from prof Geise but I kept getting answers that are just too evasive. It particularly worries me when they recommend to keep the mare in quarantaine for 14 days if there is nothing to worry about!
JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
The only awkward thing with it is that a vaccinated animal and an infected animal show up the same in a blood test (which looks for EVA/EAV antibodies). Therefore you must keep careful records of vaccination, otherwise mares may be put under surveillance by DEFRA pending a second set of bloods that show stable or declining antibodies for EVA and stallions may be required to undergo a semen virus-isolation test.
[/ QUOTE ]
Stallions which are vaccinated (as mine is) have to be blood tested just prior to vaccination and then 4 weeks AFTER vaccination to show the vaccination has worked in raising antibodies. (Assume it's the same for mares.) Took my local DEFRA office a while to come to grips with this - I used to get panicky phone calls from little DEFRA officials saying my stallion had tested positive for EVA! Haven't had them for a couple of years - I think my vet changed labs!
The only awkward thing with it is that a vaccinated animal and an infected animal show up the same in a blood test (which looks for EVA/EAV antibodies). Therefore you must keep careful records of vaccination, otherwise mares may be put under surveillance by DEFRA pending a second set of bloods that show stable or declining antibodies for EVA and stallions may be required to undergo a semen virus-isolation test.
[/ QUOTE ]
Stallions which are vaccinated (as mine is) have to be blood tested just prior to vaccination and then 4 weeks AFTER vaccination to show the vaccination has worked in raising antibodies. (Assume it's the same for mares.) Took my local DEFRA office a while to come to grips with this - I used to get panicky phone calls from little DEFRA officials saying my stallion had tested positive for EVA! Haven't had them for a couple of years - I think my vet changed labs!
Rollin
Well-Known Member
Andy. My vet in France insists my stallion is vaccinated every 6 months as it cost me 500 euros the first year and now around 300E I am curious to know why every six months?
Most other vaccines are annual.
What is UK practice?
Most other vaccines are annual.
What is UK practice?
AndyPandy
Well-Known Member
It depends on which vaccine is being used...
Boosters for Artervac should be given every 6 months. Arvac should be boosted annually. However, the Artervac (which was previously known as Artevac) recommendation seems to have been changed relatively recently!
Chances are your vet is using Artervac, so 6 months is right...
Boosters for Artervac should be given every 6 months. Arvac should be boosted annually. However, the Artervac (which was previously known as Artevac) recommendation seems to have been changed relatively recently!
Chances are your vet is using Artervac, so 6 months is right...
S_N
Well-Known Member
It also depends if the stallion is shuttling
QueensOrchard
New User
Andy would it be sufficient to give the mare Artervac only once just after foaling. She would be inseminated approx 4 weeks after foaling