Common equine diseases
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV1 and EHV4)
E.H.V infection is very common in young horses with about 75% of horses becoming carriers. These carrier horses are responsible for outbreaks of respiratory disease with typical symptoms of coughing and nasal discharge.
As well as causing respiratory infections, EHV can cause abortion outbreaks in breeding mares and less commonly ‘Paralytic Disease’ in adult horses.
EHV is related to the virus that causes cold sores in people and like people with the cold sore virus, horses carrying EHV can suffer recurrent bouts of disease since natural infection does not stimulate good immunity. Vaccination has been shown to insignificantly reduce the severity/incidence of EHV infection.
Equine Flu
During the 1970’s equine flu regularly caused epidemics in the equine population leading to the enforced cancellation of shows, events and race meetings.
Thanks to general wide spread vaccination such epidemics are now rare. Continuous vaccination is necessary to keep this worldwide infection under control.
Equine flu, like human flu, is caused by a virus that regularly changes itself with new strains. Unfortunately, the next epidemic of flu will probably be caused by a new strain and research shows that protection will be highest in horses that have received a booster within 6 months of this outbreak.
Tetanus
The bacterium Clostridium tetani can infect the smallest of wounds and causes the debilitating and often fatal disease ‘Tetanus’ or ‘Lock Jaw’.
Since it is common for older horses to be vaccinated against Tetanus, these days we usually see the condition in young horses. The bacteria produces a toxin that causes muscles throughout the body to go into a distressing and continuous spasm. Recovery is possible however lengthy and extensive treatment is required.
After a primary course of vaccines, strong and long lasting immunity is achieved - boosters every two or three years will maintain protection.
Strangles
This is an infectious disease of horses caused by a bacterium called ‘Streptococcus equi’, it can affect horses of all ages and types. Those most at risk are:
- young horses
- horses kept in large groups
- horses that travel to shows and competitions
Once inside a stable yard, Strangles can spread quickly through direct contact between horses or indirect contact e.g. via shared drinking and feeding equipment or tack.
The characteristic signs include sudden onset of fever (high temperature) and loss of appetite. The horse may have difficulty swallowing. This is followed by swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) under the jaw and in the throat. The horse may hold his head low with his nose poked forwards to relieve discomfort and to aid respiration. There is usually an initial thin watery nasal discharge, which soon becomes thick and yellow. One or more abscesses may form in the inflamed lymph nodes. You should request a visit from Aireworth Vets without delay, we will help confirm the diagnosis by clinical examination and collect swab samples for laboratory investigation.
Certain antibiotics including penicillin can kill the bacterium that causes strangles. The use of antibiotics will depend on the stage of the disease. Our Equine Vets can also recommend other treatments to encourage the abscesses to burst or to grow to a size and maturity that allows them to be safely and successfully lanced.
Strangles is endemic throughout our region - several new outbreaks are encountered every year. When a yard becomes infected it causes wide spread disease and it is usually necessary to recommend that no horses be allowed on or off the premises for several weeks, often causing devastation to owners plans for the season.
Do not hestitate to contact Aireworth Vets if you have any questions or concerns about a possible case of strangles.