Windsor Veterinary Service

10/23/2024

A dead raccoon in Sykesville tested positive for rabies.

The infected raccoon was killed in a fight with a dog on October 18th. The incident happened on Westchester Hills Court near Oklahoma Road in Sykesville.

The Health Department is concerned that other pets or people in the area may have been exposed to the infected raccoon before its death.

“Rabies exposure occurs through bites and scratches or saliva from the infected animal getting into the eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound of a person or another animal,” said Joe Mancuso, Rabies Program Manager at the Health Department.
Anyone who may have been exposed or whose pet may have been exposed to bites, scratches, or saliva from this raccoon can call the Health Department at 410-876-1884 for a risk assessment.

Rabies is most often seen in raccoons, cats, skunks, foxes, groundhogs, and bats in Maryland, but can sometimes be seen in other animals such as dogs, ferrets, deer, and even cows and other farm animals. “Observe wildlife and animals you don’t know from a distance, and keep your pets vaccinated,” advised Mancuso. “If you see a sick or wounded animal, or one that is acting strangely, call Animal Control at 410-848-4810.”

To keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe from rabies:
​- Do not approach, handle, pet, or feed wild or stray animals.
- Have your dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated against rabies and keep their vaccinations up-to-date.
- Do not leave pets outside unattended or allow them to roam free.
- Cover garbage cans tightly and do not leave pet food outside.
- Teach children to stay away from wild animals and any animals that they do not know.
- Prevent bats from entering your home by using window screens and chimney caps. Bats found in the home should be safely collected, if possible, and tested for rabies.

If you or your pet have been bitten or scratched by a wild or stray animal, wash the area with soap and water for several minutes. Keep your pet away from other people and pets. Then call your physician or veterinarian and contact the Health Department (410-876-1884).

For more information: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/Pages/rabies.aspx

08/27/2024

Human cases of West Nile virus and Eastern Encephalitis are on the rise in our area! Horses are also at risk due to the increased amount of mosquitoes this year due to early rain and warmer winter temperatures. Make sure your equine friend is up to date on his/her vaccinations!

RELEASE: The Maryland Department of Health announced that an adult living in the Baltimore Metro region has tested positive for West Nile virus – the first confirmed human case of the virus in Maryland this year. The patient has recovered from the infection. Learn more: bit.ly/4dYfLAT

08/09/2024

Winners of the 2024 Carroll County Fair horse shows Fitting and Showing classes sponsored by Windsor Veterinary Service! English, Champion-Julie Henderson, Reserve-Cate Guest, and Western, Champion-Cate Guest, Reserve-Emily Hipsley. Congratulations girls, and to all the participants in this years horse shows!

05/03/2024

🌟 Contest Time! 🌟
Amy Grace is due to foal sometime this month, the person that has the first correct guess of date and c**t/filly will get a free farm call fee on our next visit! Put your guess in the comments, one guess per client please.

03/29/2024

First foal of the year! A beautiful Arabian c**t! Congratulations Alex, Lisa, and Greg Butterfield, he sure is a cutie!!

03/25/2024

BIOSECURITY ALERT!!

Several cases of equine streptococcus (i.e.,"strangles") have popped up in Maryland recently and have been reported to the State veterinarian and to other equine infectious disease tracking services.

Strangles is highly contagious and can be communicated through the air, through direct horse-to-horse contact, and on equipment and shoes. The incubation period can be as long as 14 days and a horse can continue to shed the bacteria for up to a month after the clinical signs of disease are gone.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture recommends that to prevent infection, horse owners should "avoid mingling with other equines at shows, events, and fairs" and "avoid sharing water buckets and equipment."

An infected horse should be isolated and put under the care of veterinarian immediately.

MDA also recommends that "Animals with an unknown health history should be isolated from other equines for a month."

See MDA's flyer below for more information.

Maryland Horse Industry Board