OSU Veterinary Medical Hospital

12/01/2025

🐴 Horse owners: Stay informed about equine herpesvirus. OSU veterinarian, Dr. Kaitlin Mielnicki, explains symptoms, risks and prevention.

Read more here ⬇️
https://okla.st/4rvBIyT

Equine herpesvirus (EHV) is a family of 9 viruses named by numbers. EHV-1, the virus associated with the ongoing outbreak, is most commonly associated with respiratory tract infections. EHV-1 is also associated with neurologic disease and abortion. Upwards of 70% of horses are infected with EHV-1 as...

11/27/2025

🚨REMINDER🚨

As we continue to monitor EHV in the equine industry, we encourage horse owners to stay alert!

Check out what Dr. Gilliam has to say!📣

🔍 Know the Signs:
🐴 Respiratory: cough, clear nasal discharge, fever
🐴 Neurologic (EHM): hind-limb weakness, incoordination, urine dribbling, tail weakness, sudden inability to stand
🐴 Reproductive: late-term abortions in mares

📌 If Your Horse Shows Symptoms:
✔️ Call your vet right away
✔️ Quarantine sick or exposed horses
✔️ Check temps twice daily (99–101.5°F is normal)
✔️ Use strict biosecurity

Questions ➡️ 405-744-7000

11/25/2025

🎬 Cowboys on the News 🎬

🐝 Watch Dr. Kelsey Walker, assistant professor, break down the groundbreaking honey-bee vaccine research on KFOR-TV ➡️ https://okla.st/4og9WDF

11/25/2025

🚨 News To Know - Testing Locations🚨

Submission forms for various tests

11/24/2025

🚨 KNOW BEFORE YOU TEST 🚨

If your horse needs testing for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), here’s what to know:

🧪 How To Collect Correct Samples:
• One deep nasal swab (synthetic or flocked swab with plastic handle; no gel-based swabs)
• One EDTA (purple-top) blood tube — minimum 2-5 mL

🧼 Biosecurity Matters:
Wear gloves, change them between horses, and disinfect hands to prevent spread.

📦 Shipping Tips:
• Keep samples cold, not frozen
• Ship overnight via UPS/FedEx for best results
• Discounted shipping labels available on the OADDL website
• Samples may be hand-delivered or placed in the after-hours drop refrigerator

More testing information ➡️ https://okla.st/4igEUKq

11/21/2025

Dr. Lyndi Gilliam, equine internal medicine specialist, answers the top questions we received about equine herpesvirus ⬇️

Read more from the Association of Equine Practitioners 👉 https://okla.st/48qd8b4

11/20/2025

❗A Message To Our Clients❗

Our hospital remains fully operational and safe for all routine and emergency appointments.

While we are currently managing a limited number of Equine Herpesvirus cases in restricted and secure equine isolation areas, these patients are treated and completely separated from the general hospital population. Our team is implementing enhanced biosecurity protocols, and all clinical areas are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between each patient.

The remainder of our hospital continues to function as usual, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and care for every animal entrusted to us.

For further questions, please contact our hospital at 405-744-7000.

11/20/2025

🚨 𝐄𝐇𝐕 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 – 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 🚨

Horses in Oklahoma have tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), a highly contagious viral disease. It spreads easily through nasal discharge, shared equipment, trailers, stalls, and even human contact. Horses can carry the virus before showing symptoms, so strict quarantine is essential.

𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬:
🐴 Respiratory: cough, clear nasal discharge, fever
🐴 Neurologic (EHM): hind-limb weakness, incoordination, urine dribbling, tail weakness, sudden inability to stand
🐴 Reproductive: late-term abortion in mares

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬:
✅ Call your vet immediately
✅ Quarantine symptomatic or exposed horses
✅ Monitor all horses’ temps twice daily (Normal = 99–101.5°F)
✅ Follow strict biosecurity measures

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 – 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
🏥 Place signage on the door asking horse owners to inform your team if they have attended any of the affected events. If they have, please instruct them to wait outside so appropriate precautions can be taken.
🏥Take a detailed history of potential exposure and travel
🏥 Examine and take the patient’s temperature 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 entering the clinic
🏥 Antiviral medications can be given prophylactically to exposed horses to reduce the risk of developing EHM. For more information regarding this treatment, please reach out to our equine internal medicine team.

🩺 Stay vigilant, protect your herd, and work closely with your veterinarian.

Questions ➡️ 405-744-7000

11/19/2025

❗️EHV OUTBREAK TESTING❗️

🔬OADDL is ready and prepared for your EHV test🔬

If your horse needs testing, please submit a deep nasal swab along with an EDTA (purple-top) blood tube.

If you have any questions, contact the lab at 405-744-6623.

Collecting the test:

❗️Deep Nasal Pharyngeal synthetic swab
❗️Avoid cotton swabs
❗️Keep the sample chilled

11/19/2025

❗️Attention horse owners❗️

Please be aware of EHV and call your local veterinarian immediately if your horse shows any signs.

***UPDATE***

As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, there are multiple confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Myleoencephalopathy, the neurologic form of EHV-1 and exposure risks in horses that attended the WPRA Finals in Waco, Texas between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9. We have confirmed two cases of EHM in horses that attended the Barrel Futurities of America World Championship at Lazy E Arena this week.

The BAF World Championship has been cancelled and horses who were at either event should be taken home, isolated, and quarantined for the next 14 days.

EHM spreads through horse contact, shared buckets and/or tack, contaminated trailers, airborne droplets from horses coughing or snorting and from people who handle exposed horses. Exposed horses that were at either of the events should be isolated at least 30 feet, but as far as possible, from other horses. Efforts to prevent air movement from exposed horses to unexposed horses should be made. Exposed horses are not allowed to move off the home premises until they have completed 14 days with no symptoms. Unexposed horses may travel to events, although it is recommended, they do not leave the premises unless truly necessary.

Owners should watch for:
Fever over 101.5
Nasal Discharge
Lethargy
Hind end weakness
Any neurological issues

If you notice any of the symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Cases that show neurological issues are considered a medical emergency.

*******************************************
ANIMAL HEALTH ALERT

The Oklahoma State Veterinarian has been made aware of a possible Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy exposure at the WPRA event in Waco, Texas Nov. 5 through Nov. 9.

We are working closely with Lazy E Arena, as some of the horses from the WPRA event could be in Guthrie this week for the Barrel Futurities of America World Championship.

If you are from Oklahoma and were at the WPRA event – it is recommended you go home and quarantine your horse. If EHM is confirmed, horses who were in the Waco event will be required to quarantine at home.

Owners should monitor the temperature of their horse for spikes of 101.5 or above and increase biosecurity measures.

For questions about quarantine or EHM exposure, call the Oklahoma State Veterinarian's office at 405.522.6141.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

11/17/2025

A bold new touch for our dermatology service ✨

Dr. Dana Liska’s mantra — “Go Forth and Be BOLD in Dermatology” — now greets students, patients and clinicians as they enter the dermatology room.

Thanks to collaboration between our dermatology team, public relations & marketing, and facilities, this vision came to life in the perfect spot above the door.

11/14/2025

Faculty Friday!

Meet Dr. Katie Hausmann Farris, clinical assistant professor in zoological medicine. She earned her DVM from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2020. Her internships and residency experiences took her all across the country before coming to Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Hausmann is passionate about teaching in the classroom and on the clinic floor. She also has a special interest in aquaculture and aquarium medicine, which she is using to expand the zoological medicine service and opportunities for students and house officers at OSU.

Outside of work, Hausmann enjoys spending time with her growing family and pets. She enjoys swimming, exploring the outdoors and everything Oklahoma has to offer. 🐠🔬👩‍⚕️