Over the past eight years, California has experienced unprecedented fire conditions affecting thousands of horses and horse owners across the state. An abstract published in the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Proceedings in 2021 found that in review of three major wildfires, 20% of horses in emergency evacuation shelters needed veterinary care (Sonder et al, 2021). Despite this finding, there is still debate over the amount of veterinary presence needed in a large animal shelter.
Survey of Blood Parameters of Horses Evacuated to Emergency Shelters Due to Wildlife Fires
Objectives:
Provide a baseline data set demonstrating blood values that may be affected by this environment with the hopes to provide data to help guide large animal sheltering best practices and veterinary involvement.
CVET is collecting blood samples from horses evacuated during wildfires to better understand the impact stress, transport, and poor air quality have on these animals. We are working with counties to integrate owner consent to sampling before a fire hits, allowing collection of blood as soon as they enter the sample. Horse will be monitored with additional samples over the course of a week to evaluate any changes. If you are a county representative interested in partnering with us for this study, email us!