As part of a comprehensive equine health program, horses should be vaccinated against several important infectious diseases. These include influenza, encephalitis, strangles, viral arteritis, tetanus, Potomac Horse Fever, rabies, West Nile Virus, and rhinopneumonitis. These may vary slightly according to the part of the country in which you live. (Several regions have a greater incidence of certain diseases.)

Source: Fort Dodge Animal Health

Horses are vaccinated against disease in much the same way people are. Most initial vaccines require a booster at a later date, much like childhood immunizations. Vaccinations are then repeated (usually twice yearly) according to the specific needs of each horse. For example, pregnant mares should receive a different schedule of vaccines than a performance horse. 

               In case you should ever need to know (hint, hint), the following are concise explanations of the more common diseases that horses should be vaccinated against.

Equine Influenza (“Flu”)

               Equine influenza is a highly contagious viral disease with a very sudden onset. Clinical signs include fever, coughing, nasal discharge and lack of appetite. Infected horses must have severely limited exercise (rest) to reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infections (pneumonia.) An important detail to remember about influenza is that the virus itself tends to mutate over time. This means that the vaccines must also be changed in order to remain effective. It is vital that horses receive a vaccine containing the most current strains of the virus.

 

Rhinopneumonitis/Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)

                There are several different kinds of equine herpes viruses that have been identified. Of these, the most clinically important are Type 1 and Type 4. Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) is highly infectious. It is spread through aerosolized secretions (respiratory tract), contact with infected horses, and contaminated feed/water buckets. Symptoms of EHV include respiratory tract infections, paralysis, abortions in pregnant mares, and occasionally death in young horses.

 

Equine Encephalomyelitis (“Sleeping Sickness”)

            Equine Encephalomyelitis (often referred to as simply Encephalitis or Sleeping Sickness) is highly contagious and attacks the brain and central nervous system. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and is often fatal. Infected horses often lose their appetite, display excitable or compulsive behavior, and walk blindly into objects. Horses that survive infection often have permanent nervous system damage.

                There are three strains of the virus. Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) is the most deadly, killing up to 75-100% of infected horses. Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE) is more common and somewhat less virulent. Both EEE and WEE can be found throughout the U.S.; therefore, horses should be vaccinated for both.

 

Streptococcus equi (“Strangles”)

            “Strangles” is a highly contagious bacterial disease that occurs most often in young horses. It is spread through nasal discharge, pus from draining abscesses, dirty hands, contaminated feed/water buckets, contaminated grooming tools, and sharing of halters, bridles, etc. between horses.

            Symptoms include fever, nasal discharge (usually thick and yellow), cough, loss of appetite, trouble swallowing and swollen lymph nodes under the jaw and around the head. Enlarged lymph nodes typically abscess and fill with pus, becoming firm and swollen. These swellings can impair breathing and in severe cases may even cause suffocation (thus the term “strangles.”)

            Strangles is highly contagious and very difficult to eliminate once it has been brought into a barn. All items that have contacted an infected horse (bridle, halter, buckets, grooming tools, etc.) should either be discarded or disinfected WELL with Clorox bleach water. Stalls should be cleaned thoroughly with Clorox water as well.

 

Tetanus (“Lockjaw”)

            Tetanus or “Lockjaw” is caused by bacteria (Clostridium tetani). This bacteria lives in the ground, among other places. It enters and infects wounds such as those caused by barbed wire, nails, or even surgical procedures such as castration.

                Affected horses may suffer from muscle spasms, high fever, violent reactions to sudden movements or noise, and death from suffocation. Horses should be vaccinated yearly and tetanus vaccination should be updated immediately following injuries.

 

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

                EVA is highly contagious and often occurs as an epidemic in places such as breeding farms and race tracks. It most severely affects very old or very young horses, as well as those under unusual amounts of stress. Symptoms include fever, coughing, depression, leg and facial swelling, high rates of abortion, and occasionally death. Vaccination is recommended for immature stallions, broodmares, and other high-risk horses.

 

Potomac Horse Fever

            Potomac Horse Fever is named after the region where it was first diagnosed in 1979. It is not totally understood how the disease is transmitted, therefore horses in the northeastern U.S. and those animals traveling to this region should be vaccinated. This disease occurs most often during the summer months. Symptoms include fever, lameness, diarrhea, and occasionally death.

 

Equine Rabies

            Rabies is transmitted via a bite from an infected animal. Horses that contract rabies invariably die; therefore, vaccination is strongly recommended. Rabies is spread primarily by raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes, and coyotes. It is most common in the northeastern U.S. and Texas.

West Nile Virus

            West Nile Virus has only recently begun to be diagnosed in the U.S. It affects humans, horses, and birds. The virus affects the central nervous system and can be fatal. WNV is transmitted by mosquitoes; therefore, horses should be vaccinated just prior to mosquito season in endemic areas.
Related Articles: West Nile Update  West Nile

 

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