CONTAGIOUS EQUINE METRITIS

WHAT IS CEM?

 

Contagious Equine Metritis is a sexually transmitted disease of equines caused by the bacteria Taylorella equigenitalis.  While direct contact during mating is the primary mode of transmission, the bacteria can be spread via artificial insemination, contaminated reproductive exam equipment and other objects such as tack, brushes, and surfaces in the horses’ environments.  Infected stallions are largely asymptomatic carriers of the bacteria and the transmission rate is very high during mating.  Symptoms in mares can range from asymptomatic to profuse, mucopurulent vaginal discharge.  Mares can be chronically infected for months, have decreased fertility, and can transmit the disease to their foals during or shortly after birth creating carriers of the disease.

All sexually intact horses (mares and stallions) greater than 2 years of age are required to be quarantined and tested for CEM upon import into the United States.  Testing is closely regulated by the USDA and requires a series of bacterial cultures and serology of samples completed within 12 days.  Following negative test results, horses are precisely cleaned and topically treated for 5 consecutive days before being released from quarantine.

 
 

quarantine dos and don’ts

DO

  • Use foot bath and hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving the facility each time.

  • Leave all tack, equipment, grooming supplies, etc for your horse at the quarantine at all times.

  • Read and obey all signage on the property.

  • Alert management of all medications and supplements that your horse requires.  

  • Alert management of any outside veterinary visits for your horse while at the quarantine.

DO NOT

  • Allow your horse to come in contact with any other horse at the quarantine.

  • Share tack, equipment, grooming supplies, etc with other horses at the quarantine.

  • Use shampoo, soap, topical creams, or antibiotics on your horse while in the quarantine.

 

WHY ONLY MARES?

The USDA protocol for completing CEM quarantine for stallions has additional facilities requirements and utilizes a herd of test mares. While our facility location provides unparalleled convenience and privacy, it does not allow us space to quarantine stallions at this time.