Vaccines and Infectious Disease

We all love our horses and the last thing we want to see is a sick horse, especially when it is ill with something that could have been prevented with a simple vaccination. Understanding what can infect your horse will help you make a better decision on the vaccines you should give.

Most infectious diseases are transmitted from one animal to another by infected urine, feces or other bodily secretions, or inhaling pathogen-laden droplets in the air. Others are transmitted by insects and ticks. Some of the more common infectious diseases, their symptoms and treatment are below:

Salmonellosis is normally contracted by food and causes infectious diarrhea in adult horses. Onset is sudden and is accompanied by a high fever, colic, and foul-smelling watery green to brown diarrhea. This causes rapid dehydration and they should be seen by a vet asap for rehydration and antibiotics. Banamine and DMSO can be given through IV to mitigate effects.

Strangles is an upper respiratory and throat infection caused by Streptococcus equi. It is named after the noise made by the horse. It is most common in horses 1-5 years of age. Symptoms start with nasal discharge, a dry painful cough and a fever. An untreated horse will develop swollen lymph nodes high in the neck behind the lower jaw, and at the back of the throat. Occasionally, as these drain, it can cause an abscess which will infect the sinuses. Horses with this condition should be seen by a vet.

Tetanus starts with a wound that gets infected. It is normally hard to locate the wound. Symptoms include colic and vague stiffness, after more time passes, the horse will have spasms in the jaw, neck, hind legs, and muscles around the wound. They will also appear to have a film over the inner third of the eyes. Caring for wounds as soon as you notice them can help prevent tetanus.

Rabies can be caused by a bite from and infected skunk, fox, bat, opossums or raccoon. You should vaccinate against rabies if you have these animals in your area.

Equine Viral Encephalomyelitis (Sleeping Sickness) is the most common mosquito-transmitted infectious disease that attacks the central nervous system of horses. There are several types, Eastern, Western, Venezuelan, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis. Eastern is the most deadly, and is common in the Eastern US, near the Gulf Coast, and the Great lakes. It is also prominent in Central and South America and some parts of Canada. These viruses are transmitted by mosquitos which have fed on infected birds or rodents. When a horse contracts it, people aren't too far behind. Symptoms include high fever, brain inflammation, compulsive walking and circling, loss of coordination, and apparent blindness. The horse may walk into walls and fences.

Equine Influenza is similar to the human flu and they will have the same symptoms, fever, cough, respiratory system issues, and possible pneumonia. You should vaccinate against the flu.

Rhinopneumonitis is equine herpesvirus. Symptoms include nasal discharge. Also make sure you vaccinate against this.

Equine Infectious Anemia (Swamp Fever, Coggins) is a virus transmitted in blood saliva, urine, and bodily secretions. Bloodsucking flies and other biting insects are the usual transmitters of the virus. Horses must be removed from the herd. There is no effective treatment for this. Typically horses must be put down if they are carriers, so as not to affect other horses. Every horse must be tested for Coggins before being transported.

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