Strangles Awareness Week
By Dr. Michael Hurley | Posted on May 8, 2023
Epona Biotec supports Strangle Awareness Week. The importance of closely monitoring body temperature can’t be underestimated, especially in the face of an infectious disease outbreak like Strangles.
The VetTrue™ System is the perfect way of monitoring the temperature of your horse in a high-tech, but user-friendly way.
#HotBeforeSnot #SAW2023 #StranglesAwarenessWeek
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Should I Call the Vet?
Posted on October 22, 2020
As an owner, do you remember a time when you suspected something about your horse was not quite right? It could have been the small amount of feed left one evening, or the minor change in behaviour only you would detect. To anyone else, your horse appears perfectly fine, but you know it’s not. Chances are if you call the vet for a consultation, the first question will be “Does the horse have a temperature?" An elevated temperature is often the very first indicator of illness or disease. In fact, a fever can develop even before changes are detectable in your horse’s blood profile. Monitoring their temperature is therefore, the simplest and most useful way of assessing the health status of your horse. The VetTrue System™ from Epona Biotec is a world-first. This state-of-the-art technology allows you to accurately monitor the temperature of your horse in real-time. Never before has such detailed information on a horse’s core body temperature been available outside of research environments. The VetTrue System’s™ disposable, easy to use TailTab sensors attach beneath the tail and send accurate temperature data directly to your mobile device via Bluetooth. The VetTrue System™ is undoubtedly set to become a standard component of equine first aid kits. The next time you need more detailed information about your horse’s health status, simply attach a TailTab. You know your horse. Now you know its temperature and when to call the vet. To find out more about the VetTrue system, and to order your first TailTab at half price, visit eponabiotec.com/pricing.
Shipping Fever Pneumonia is the DVT of the Equine Transport Industry
Posted on October 22, 2020
Shipping Fever Pneumonia (SFP) is the most common complication encountered when transporting horses. As with DVT in humans, which is generally caused by sitting for long periods during travel, SFP is a direct result of horses being unable to move around and lower their heads during transportation. As a rule of thumb, when travelling for more than 10 hours, expect 10% of horses to develop a degree of SFP. In some cases, the resulting lung infection can be mild and even go undiagnosed, in others, it can develop into severe pleural pneumonia with lung abscesses and laminitis. Anyone experienced in horse transportation has seen cases of SFP. It remains a major health and welfare issue and can be particularly devastating on the performance of horses shipped long distances to compete. The standard advice for the prevention of SFP is fourfold: • Do not travel a sick horse • Ensure a dust-free and well-ventilated environment • Allow the horse to lower its head during transportation • Break up long journeys and let the horse out every 8 hours if possible Monitoring rectal temperature is also highly recommended as a fever is the first clinical sign of SFP. This recommendation is however, completely impractical during the transportation process. Not only is taking the rectal temperature a difficult procedure to perform inside the confines of a trailer or a cramped jet stall of an aircraft, it’s also a health and safety concern for the individual attempting to take it. The treatment options available to you at 35,000 feet after being injured by a horse are limited! The VetTrue System by Epona Biotec has been developed to monitor the temperature of horses accurately and safely, even during transportation. The disposable TailTab sensors are attached beneath the tail and send real-time temperature data via Bluetooth to a users’ iPhone. As horses developing SFP may initially appear bright and alert and continue to eat and drink normally, they are often transported for hours without anyone being aware they are actually sick. The early detection of a fever using the VetTrue System is the key to ensuring SFP cases are identified as early as possible so positive action can be taken. To learn more about the VetTrue System and to place an order, please visit www.eponabiotec.com - It’s All About the Horse
Strategic use of the VetTrue System – Health & Safety – Hendra Virus
Posted on June 3, 2021
There are times when equine diseases are so hazardous to humans that it’s not safe to be near the horse. Hendra virus infection is one such disease. In Queensland and NSW over 80 cases of Hendra virus have been reported in horses since 1994 and the disease has claimed several lives. The virus is spread to horses from fruit bats and can cause a wide variety of clinical signs. These may include sudden death or a rapid onset of illness, fever, increased heart rate, respiratory signs and neurological signs. Veterinarians investigating potential Hendra virus cases must use full PPE when examining horses and taking samples for diagnosis. Until Hendra virus infection has been excluded, all contact with the sick horse, even to administer treatment, must be in full PPE for health and safety reasons. The period between sample collection and confirmation or exclusion of a Hendra virus diagnosis can be a worrying time as the disease is often fatal for both horse and human. The VetTrue System™ from Epona Biotec is a useful tool in such situations. Equine veterinarians can attach a TailTab during the initial examination while in full PPE. The horse can then be monitored remotely until laboratory results are returned. As a fever is present in nearly every case of Hendra virus infection, having this information available can assist in aiding a diagnosis. Health and safety protocols are maintained by monitoring the horse remotely. Contact Epona Biotec now for further information on the VetTrue™ System.
Equine Pre-Purchase Examinations: 24 Hour Temperature Monitoring
Posted on May 12, 2023
This Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred gelding by the sire 'Time Test' underwent a 5-Stage pre-purchase examination for racing in Hong Kong. As part of the examination his temperature was monitored overnight using the VetTrue™ System from Epona Biotec. The temperature chart above clearly shows a normal temperature pattern overnight. This is confirmation at a glance that the gelding is in good health. The sharp dip in the chart at exactly 7:30am corresponds to the gelding galloping at the racecourse as shown in the video below. The dip occurs because the tail rises during exercise affecting the temperature data which is collected beneath this location. Once back in the stable the temperature data returns to normal, although as can be seen on the chart, slightly higher as the horse has now warmed up after exercise. Order TailTab Sensor