Volume 4 | September 2020
CEM Quarantine News & Updates
We're Making It Easy to Have Your Horse's DNA Tested!

The Center for Equine Health has partnered with the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory to offer convenient access to equine genetic testing while your horse is visiting our facility. This includes testing for inherited diseases such as warmblood fragile foal syndrome and polysaccharide storage myopathy, as well as coat colors and patterns*, and much more.

Simply let our technicians know which genetic test(s) you would like to have run (you can view a full list of available tests on the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory website). CEH will collect and submit the hair sample to the laboratory. Results will be sent directly and confidentially to you by email from the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory and the testing fees will be incorporated into your final quarantine invoice.

*The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory is offering special promotional pricing on coat color and pattern testing through the end of the year.
Recent California Wildfires

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the recent wildfires in California and other states. UC Davis has been involved with wildfire response in many forms. The UC Davis veterinary hospital took in patients and the Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT) cared for a number of animals in the field.

Davis and the immediate surrounding areas were not under evacuation orders at any time. To date, Davis also has no history of evacuation due to wildfire or other natural disasters. Your horse's health and safety are our #1 priority, and we do have plans and procedures in place if an evacuation is ever necessary. We have worked closely with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Equine Veterinarian to develop standard operating procedures for evacuation while adhering to USDA and CDFA quarantine requirements.

Although the wildfires were several miles away, our area, like much of Northern California, did experience some poor air quality. None of the horses on the property at the time experienced any adverse effects.
*This is a historical image included for illustration. It was not taken on CEH property and is not indicative of the recent wildfires.
You May Be Wondering
Q: Where are CEM testing samples sent for analysis?

A: All CEM bacterial testing samples are submitted to the bacteriology section at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), part of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS) is the backbone of California's warning system that helps to protect the health of California's livestock and poultry. CAHFS serves the people of California by safeguarding the public health with rapid and reliable diagnoses for animal diseases including those affecting humans. CAHFS operates in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), UC Davis, veterinarians, and producers.

The laboratory has numerous certifications and accreditations, and is part of several national networks including the UDSA's National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), the FDA's Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), and the CDC's Laboratory Response Network (LRN). Technicians that handle CEM samples are specially trained and certified by the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).
To make a reservation or for more information, please contact the CEH office at (530) 752-6433, or email cehadmin@ucdavis.edu.