This Affects Cattle and Horses 

VSV from Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center

Our infectious disease team is monitoring confirmed reports of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus(VSV) on the Central Coast. Currently, there are a few confirmed positive cases in Santa Barbara County and in SLO County. The horses are not hospitalized and are being monitored at their home facilities. The team assures that the virus is not cause for alarm, however it is cause for concern.If your horse is not eating well or develops blister-like lesions (vesicles) around the mouth, tongue, oral cavity- and in some cases other regions- you will want to have your horse seen by a local veterinary as these may be signs of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus. Suspect horses should remain at their home facility until examined by a DVM. VSV is primarily spread by biting flies, however it is very contagious horse to horse by direct contact OR from contaminated objects such as water buckets, clothing, etc. The virus may look like "Foot and Mouth Disease," but the two are not related. Horses are not susceptible to FMDV. However, the possibility of transmission of VSV from horses to livestock and the fact that it is very difficult to tell the two viruses apart in ANY species- may give cause for a state and federal response. There is currently no vaccine for VSV.The good news is, while horses that contract VSV may experience discomfort due to the lesions and could possibly develop complications from decreased appetite, they are likely to recover well with supportive care by a veterinarian. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to your veterinarian or to us at Alamo. Images: California Veterinarian | July-August 2023