The Ontario Animal Health Network is a new program focusing on early disease detection in animals to identify trends in animal health issues and direct the appropriate action when necessary.

The program has created expert veterinary networks for each species or commodity. The Equine Expert Network is comprised of eight veterinarians with four representing the Ontario Veterinary College, OMAFRA, and the Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph and four representing private practice from different geographical regions and disciplines.

Veterinarians who provide services to horse owners are surveyed quarterly about the diseases and issues seen in practice. Results from this survey, along with a summary of laboratory results, are discussed by the Network to detect important trends and emerging horse health issues. The overall goal of the network is to improve the health of the Ontario’s equine herd.

A summary of the Network discussion with key points is presented below, or available here.