Blog

Strangles Awareness Week

Posted on May 8, 2023

Epona Biotec supports Strangle Awareness Week. The importance of closely monitoring body temperature can't be underestimated, especially in the face of an infectious disease outbreak like Strangles.The VetTrue™ System is the perfect way of monitoring the temperature of your horse in a high-tech, but user-friendly way. Buy Now #HotBeforeSnot #SAW2023 #StranglesAwarenessWeek 

The Equine Healthcare Market Is Growing Due To Rising Awareness And Increasing Investment

Posted on February 15, 2022

High-Tech Temperature Monitoring in the Management of Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Posted on October 20, 2021

In a worldwide first, the VetTrue™ System from Epona Biotec has been successfully used in the management of an equine infectious disease outbreak. A pregnant mare on a Thoroughbred stud farm developed the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). The mare was immediately isolated, but rapidly deterioration over several days, and was euthanised on humane grounds. EHV-1 is a highly contagious virus and easily spread by direct horse-to-horse contact or by indirect contact with contaminated objects. The stud farm immediately instigated biosecurity measures to contain the spread of the disease. These included segregation of staff and horses, and the mandatory use of PPE by all staff members.  Temperature monitoring during disease outbreaks is important for identifying other infected individuals. In a novel approach by the stud farm, three stallions and seventeen close contact mares had their temperatures remotely monitored using the VetTrue™ System. As the incubation period for EHV-1 is very short, further cases would be expected in the week following the first case if the disease were spreading on the farm. A fever is usually the first clinical sign seen with this viral infection, so by screening temperatures closely with the VetTrue™ System the farm could easily identify other infected horses and further isolate and treat them. Normal temperature charts from four of the horses monitored on the farm After monitoring the horses for seven days, no fevers were identified and no further horses became ill with EHV-1. The VetTrue™ System gave staff additional assurance in the early days following the first clinical case that the disease was not spreading on the farm.Fortunately, this was a single isolated case of EHV-1, with the virus most likely contained from spread by the strict biosecurity measures immediately implemented by the farm.The VetTrue™ System proved time-saving by avoiding the need to take rectal temperatures twice daily, as well as providing a complete record of temperatures for each horse during the monitoring period. Remote monitoring was also of benefit in reducing contact with horses, potentially limiting opportunities for disease transmission and improving biosecurity.This is the first known report of a remote temperature monitoring system being used in the face of a potential disease outbreak.

My Horse Has a Fever: Now What?

Posted on October 6, 2021

A very informative article about managing horses with fevers by Dr Elizabeth MacDonald for the United States Eventing Association (USEA). The VetTrue™ System is a great way of monitoring your horse closely once a fever has been detected. Contact us to learn more here.#eponabiotec #vettrue #horse #equestrian #pony #vet #equinebiosecurity #equineinfectiousdisease  #strangles #equineinfluenza #shippingfever #horsetemperature #horsemonitoring #fever #usef #itsallaboutthehorse

Measuring Body Temperature in Horses

Posted on September 29, 2021

Very informative article on body temperature in horses by Kentucky Equine Research. The research discusses using the VetTrue™ System from Epona Biotec to accurately record body temperatures during the study.Link to Article#eponabiotec #vettrue #equine #horse #equestrian #research#horsemonitoring #horsehealth #itsallaboutthehorse

Pre Purchase Exams

Posted on September 3, 2021

Equine Pre-Purchase Examinations: Taking Temperature Monitoring to the Next Level!!For Veterinary Surgeons, taking the rectal temperature of a horse is a standard part of any equine pre-purchase examination. The detection of a fever is an immediate red flag that a potential health issue may exists. Imagine if there were a way for a Veterinarian to document that the temperature of a horse was 100% normal over a 24 hour period? Check out this video. The VetTrue™ System from Epona Biotec. A cost-effective and simple solution for pre-purchase examinations. https://youtu.be/Q-3FyUnrxGs

NZB – Winning Land

Posted on September 3, 2021

An expert in his field, former Hong Kong Jockey Club veterinarian Michael Hurley discusses the natural advantages young kiwi-bred horses have when it comes to growing out in New Zealand’s unique environment – unlike any other place in the world. New Zealand Bloodstock: The Winning Land

Innovation in Action: Bloodstock Insurance Embraces the VetTrue™ System

Posted on August 4, 2021

In the Bloodstock Insurance Industry, Transit Insurance is an important component of an insurance policy. The reason for this is that horses travelling internationally by land, sea or air are exposed to a unique set of risks. The most common of these risks is a respiratory infection known as Shipping Fever. Horses developing this condition can become seriously ill if the infection is not recognised and treated in the early stages. The VetTrue™ System from Epona Biotec is a temperature sensor designed just for this. It is the single most effective way of identifying Shipping Fever cases. The benefits of the VetTrue™ System have been recognised in the Bloodstock Insurance Industry. New Zealand based, C N Taylor Consulting, is the first insurance company in the world to embrace this technology. With international clients frequently shipping valuable Thoroughbreds around the globe, company director Cherry Taylor is all too aware of the risk Shipping Fever poses. “It’s not uncommon for us to be informed about a client’s horse that’s ill following a flight,” Taylor says. Her company now offers a discount on transit insurance premiums when a horse is fitted with a temperature monitor during transportation. “It’s the perfect complement to insurance cover,” she says. “An innovative way in which we can further protect our client’s horses.” The VetTrue™ System is set to become an industry standard. It is a cost-effective solution to a common problem, and importantly, is a welcome advance in improving equine welfare during the transportation process. Contacts:www.eponabiotec.comwww.cntaylorconsulting.nz#eponabiotec #vettrue #equestrian #horse #equine #shippingfever #equinewelfare #horsehealth #insurance #horseinsurance #equineinsurance #transitinsurance #cntaylorconsulting #itsallaboutthehorse

The Innovators: Epona Biotec

Posted on July 29, 2021

The Innovators: Epona Biotec's VetTrue System We are delighted to be featured in Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN) Australia / NZ in their series on businesses in the equine world using innovative technology.Editor-in-Chief Bren O'Brien discusses our VetTrue System with our founder Dr Michael Hurley what how it sets out to improve equine health.

Horse Health Monitoring goes High-Tech with the VetTrue™ System

Posted on July 3, 2021

In 2018 Equine Air Transport History was made. In a proof of concept demonstration by Epona Biotec, a large shipment of 29 horses had their body temperatures closely monitored in real-time during a long-haul flight from Hong Kong to New Zealand (via Singapore and Australia). This is the future of equine health & welfare monitoring during transportation. With thanks to Singapore Airlines, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and IRT.Learn more at www.eponabiotec.com#equine #horse #equestrian #eponabiotec #vettrue #hkjc #irt #singaporeairlines #horsewelfare #horsehealth #horsetransport #shippingfever #iata #itsallaboutthehorsehttps://youtu.be/N8vF6NDWW8g