CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (WAVY) — Seven ponies on Chincoteague Island have “swamp cancer,” officials say.
A facebook post from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company says the diagnosis came during the recent fall round up.
The disease, which isn’t technically a cancer, caused by the fungus-like oomycete Pythium used to an incurable death sentence for ponies, but a new treatment is now 80 effective, Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company spokeswoman Denise Bowden told the Delmarva Daily Times. 2 ponies died from the disease last year.
During the round up, the ponies also received vaccinations, de-worming treatments and teeth and hoof checks.
The fire company says it’s working with top experts to treat the ponies.