Vesicular stomatitis and other vesicular, erosive, and ulcerative diseasesof horses

Physical trauma,,dietary factors, certain toxins, immune mediated disorders , and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection are known causes of stomat itis in horses. There is evidence that some outbreaks of equine stomatitis are caused by as yet unidentified infectious agents. It remains to be deter mined whether stomatitis is an emerging equine infectious disease, or if th e increase in reported cases is simply the result of greater public awarene ss as a consequence of widespread outbreaks of VSV in the southwestern Unit ed States in recent years. Focused laboratory and epidemiological studies a re necessary to more adequately define non-VS related infectious and noninf ectious causes of equine stomatitis.