My Kadance and I

The other day a friend of mine sent me a link to her video webpage. I was thrilled with the images she had captured and made a comment that she was lucky to have had someone around to take pictures of her and her horse.

To my delight, she sent this back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kifiwTXRkHg

My girl and I have greatly improved since this photos. She has gotten much, much bigger. We have also passed our Parelli Level I and ground skills Level 2.

My mother came to visit in December and she took some pictures.

This past Tuesday, I went out to the barn. The ground was very muddy and slick. I opted to hang out in the dry lot with her and play games.

I wanted to have more pictures of the two of us together so I took some self portraits.  It was difficult to get both of us in the picture. My arm wasn't long enough.

My friend, Donna, said she would add pictures to the video she made. Naturally, I'm going to take her up on the offer.

A few days later, I asked my trainer to take some pictures.

She did and I have yet to put them on the computer. Actually, my husband prefers that I let him download them because, somehow, I don't do it right. Something about compressing.

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God with Liberty and Justice for All.

We are a REPUBLIC.

Ailment Finally Relinquishing Its Grasp

Last Tuesday, I ate something that truly didn't agree with me. I, in a moment of weakness for the tasty treat, purchased gingerbread cookies from Walgreen's.  I believe they were the cause of much misery.

In my research to determine the cause of the tremendous itch in my weepy red eyes and the epidemic of canker sores throughout my mouth, I discovered that canker sores can be caused by emotional stress or  trauma. So, the crunchy crunch of the cookies in combination with the holiday stress, must have triggered the outbreak.

My doctor was at a loss for a diagnosis. He prescribed steroid cream for my eyes and face and antiviral medicine for my mouth. Nothing helped. Nothing. My eyes were red and swollen, the skin under my eyes was red and swollen, my forehead was red and my lips and gums were red and swollen. I looked like I'd been hit by a truck. The pain was excruciating. Oxycontin was the only thing that even remotely touched it. With the drugs, I couldn't sleep through the night. Trying to open my eyes was a challenge as they crusted over during the night. It wasn't bacterial pinkeye as the exudate wasn't purulent, only serous. Still, the goo solidified and effectively sealed my eyes closed.

Continued misery and now six days of missed work (dreadful effect on my paycheck) forced me back to the internet. All this time, I had been thinking horses, but as time passed and pain increased, I started hearing the hoof beats of zebras. Behcet's Syndrome was at the top of my list.

The literature indicated persistent canker sores should be seen by a dentist. A visit later, I was prescribed Magic Mouthwash. The most amazing stuff leaves my mouth numb and tingly. The combination of Magic Mouthwash and hydrocodone make my world fluffy and bubbly. No pain.

Last night during the wee morning hours, when the drugs wore off, I woke up and was able to open my eyes. The first time in a week that they weren't sealed shut. I must be on the mend. I hope so. At least I don't look like I've survived a car wreck.

Here Kitty, Kitty. Hello Mr. Squirrel

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Herpesviridae: Gotta Love It

Having taken several science classes, I have become intrigued with the etiology of diseases: Bacteria, Protozoa, Virus, Richettsia, and Fungus. The same class of infectious organism can cause a multitude of ailments in various tissues of various hosts. Take Herpesviridae. It can cause respiratory ailments, ulcers, abortion in animals, miscarriages in humans, birth defects, flu-like symptoms and cancer. Its ability to flourish in an array of hosts make it a formidable adversary.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) is associated with several diseases in cattle: infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV), balanoposthitis, conjunctivitis, abortion, encephalomyelitis, and mastitis. Only a single serotype of BHV-1 is recognized; however, three subtypes of BHV-1 have been described on the basis of endonuclease cleavage patterns of viral DNA—BHV-1.1 (respiratory subtype), BHV-1.2 (genital subtype), and BHV-1.3 (encephalitic subtype). BHV-1.3 has been reclassified as a distinct herpesvirus designated BHV-5.
BHV-1 infections are widespread in the cattle population. In feedlot cattle, the respiratory form is most common. The viral infection alone is not life-threatening but predisposes to secondary bacterial pneumonia, which may result in death. In breeding cattle, abortion or genital infections are more common. Genital infections can occur in bulls (infectious pustular balanoposthitis) and cows (IPV) within 1-3 days of mating or close contact with an infected animal. Transmission can occur in the absence of visible lesions and through artificial insemination with semen from subclinically infected bulls. Cattle with latent BHV-1 infections generally show no clinical signs when the virus is reactivated, but they serve as a source of infection for other susceptible animal.


Bovine Ulcerative Mammillitis ( Bovine Herpesvirus II, Bovine Herpes Mammillitis): Bovine herpesvirus II (BHV-II) causes a severe, ulcerative condition of teat and udder skin of dairy cows that is often referred to as bovine ulcerative mammillitis. BHV-II can occur sporadically or in outbreaks and often results in marked loss of milk production as well as high incidence of secondary mastitis.

Early signs may vary, but the lesions often begin as one or more thickened, edematous plaques of varying size on the skin of one or more teats. Vesicles develop and may rapidly rupture, leaving a raw, ulcerated area that becomes covered with a dark-colored scab. The scabs tend to crack and bleed, especially if milking is attempted. The lesions are of variable size and can include much of the teat wall and orifice. Teats are generally painful and affected cows often resist milking, leading to development of mastitis. The highest incidence is often seen in first-lactation cows, but previously unexposed cows of any age are susceptible. Severe lesions may take several weeks to heal.


Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and confirmed by histopathology or by virus isolation from early lesions. Treatment is directed toward supportive care, as there is no effective therapy for this virus. The use of iodophore-containing teat dips with added emollients may help to inactivate the virus. It is important to isolate affected cows and to use separate milking equipment. Furthermore, separate paper towels and clean gloves for milking personnel help to prevent spread of the agent to susceptible animals.


EHV-1 is also often referred to as “Equine Rhinopneumonitis"  EHV-1 is a fairly common disease that causes respiratory symptoms and abortions in horses. EHV-4 is often confined to the respiratory tract, infection may spread beyond the respiratory tract to cause more serious disease, characterized by abortions, newborn foal death, or neurological disease.
 
Caprine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1), an alphaherpesvirus closely related to bovine herpesvirus, causes enteritis and generalized infections in neonatal kids. In adult goats, CHV-1 can induce vulvovaginitis, balanoposthitis, respiratory disease, or abortion.       
 
Feline Herpes Virus (Cat Flu)-Causes, Symptoms & Treatment of Cat Herpes. Also known as "feline viral rhinotracheitis", feline herpes (FVR) is an acute upper respiratory disease of cats caused by the feline herpesvirus type 1 or FHV-1.Feline herpesvirus is the most common cause of upper respiratory disease in cats, it is more common in kittens, cats in stressed/overcrowded environments such as animal shelters & multi cat households. Kittens & older cats are more at risk than healthy adults, and are also at greater risk of dying. Once your cat becomes infected with the feline herpesvirus it will have it for life.Herpes viruses are a leading cause of human viral disease, second only to influenza and cold viruses. They are capable of causing overt disease or remaining silent for many years only to be reactivated, for example as shingles. The name herpes comes from the Latin herpes which, in turn, comes from the Greek word herpein which means to creep. This reflects the creeping or spreading nature of the skin lesions caused by many herpes virus types.


There are at least 25 viruses in the family Herpesviridae (currently divided into three sub-families). Eight or more herpes virus types are known to infect man frequently


Herpes simplex virus Type 1 (HSV-1) Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are very common worldwide. HSV-1 is the main cause of herpes infections that occur on the mouth and lips, including cold sores and fever blisters. Often symptoms are triggered by exposure to the sun, fever, menstruation, emotional stress, a weakened immune system, or an illness. HSV-1 is extremely common – as many as 90% of American adults have been exposed to the virus – and there is no stigma to having a cold sore.

Herpes simplex virus Type 2 (HSV-2) Herpes 2 is a sexually transmitted viral infection, which often produces painful sores, usually in the genital area. Once infected, an individual may carry the virus and be subject to recurrent bouts of infection. Some estimate that as many as 20 percent of the adult population in the United States has been exposed to the virus.



Genital herpes is a contagious viral infection affecting primarily the genitals of men and women. Genital herpes is characterized by recurrent clusters of vesicles and lesions at the genital areas or below the waist. A person usually gets HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection.

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) Epstein-Barr virus, frequently referred to as EBV, is a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common human viruses. The virus occurs worldwide, and most people become infected with EBV sometime during their lives. In the United States, as many as 95% of adults between 35 and 40 years of age have been infected. Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. Sometimes, a swollen spleen or liver involvement may develop. Heart problems or involvement of the central nervous system occurs only rarely, and infectious mononucleosis is almost never fatal. There are no known associations between active EBV infection and problems during pregnancy, such as miscarriages or birth defects. Although the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis usually resolve in 1 or 2 months, EBV remains dormant or latent in a few cells in the throat and blood for the rest of the person's life. Periodically, the virus can reactivate and is commonly found in the saliva of infected persons. This reactivation usually occurs without symptoms of illness.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) CMV is a common infection that is usually harmless. Once CMV is in a person's body, it stays there for life. Among every 100 adults in the United States, 50–80 are infected with CMV by the time they are 40 years old. Most healthy children and adults infected with CMV have no symptoms and may not even know that they have been infected. Others may develop a mild illness when they get infected and have the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands. But since these are also symptoms of other illnesses, most people don't realize that they have been infected with CMV.

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the cause of chickenpox and herpes zoster (also called shingles). Chickenpox follows initial exposure to the virus and is typically a relatively mild, self-limited childhood illness with a characteristic exanthem.
Approximately 1 per 4000 children develops VZV encephalitis, an acute neurologic disorder with potentially severe complications. In addition, immunocompromised children (eg, those receiving chemotherapy for leukemia or those with advanced HIV infection) can develop disseminated VZV infection, a potentially fatal complication.
After primary infection, VZV remains dormant in sensory nerve roots for life. Upon reactivation, the virus migrates down the sensory nerve to the skin, causing the characteristic painful dermatomal rash. After resolution, many individuals continue to experience pain in the distribution of the rash (postherpetic neuralgia). In addition, reactivation of VZV infection can cause a spectrum of atypical presentations, ranging from self-limited radicular pain without rash to spinal cord disease with weakness.

Human herpes virus 6 (exanthum subitum or roseola infantum) HHV-6A is the strain most likely to be found in MS, CFS and AIDS and cancer patients. HHV-6B causes roseola, febrile illnesses and encephalitis in infants and reactivates in transplant patients, causing complications such as encephalitis, pneumonitis and liver failure.

Human herpes virus 8 (Kaposi's sarcoma-associate herpes virus). Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common cancer in HIV-infected untreated individuals. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)) is the infectious cause of this neoplasm.

Herpes Virus Taxonomy: Herpesviridae:

Ictalurivirus Ictalurid herpesvirus 1 Vertebrates
Alphaherpesvirinae Mardivirus Gallid herpesvirus 2 Vertebrates
Simplexvirus Human herpesvirus 1 Vertebrates
Varicellovirus Human herpesvirus 3 Vertebrates
Iltovirus Gallid herpesvirus 1 Vertebrates
Betaherpesvirinae Cytomegalovirus Human herpesvirus 5 Vertebrates
Muromegalovirus Murine herpesvirus 1 Vertebrates
Roseolovirus Human herpesvirus 6 Vertebrates
Gammaherpesvirinae Lymphocryptovirus Human herpesvirus 4 Vertebrates
Rhadinovirus Simian herpesvirus 2 Vertebrates