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Equine Influenza Signs and Symptoms
Equine Influenza is a viral, upper
respiratory disease which is
extremely contagious and spreads
rapidly wherever horses are gathered
together, such as stables, stock
yards, etc., and attacks those
horses that are most susceptible
and/or unvaccinated.
The signs and symptoms seen with
both diseases are usually a sudden
fever (103 to 106 degrees F),
lethargy, nasal discharge, coughing,
weakness, stiffness and loss of
appetite and depression. Some horses
may develop only a mild case of
influenza, and symptoms may go
unnoticed while other horses may
develop a severe infection and
remain ill for weeks.
Equine influenza is spread as your
horse breaths in droplets of
infective material. Can be
transmitted by air l from horse to
horse over distances as far as 30
yards more or less, by (snorting or
coughing). Horses with influenza
usually have a dry, hacking cough
that increases the spread of the
virus in areas where horses are
concentrated, such as at public
stables, shows, and sales.
Prevention of Equine Influenza is
really very simple. A clean barn and
vaccinating horses against equine
influenza go a long way in
preventing an influenza outbreak. It
is very important to keep your horse
vaccines up-to-date and have a good
insect control and de-worming
program in place.
Most horse owners vaccinate most
often against eastern and western
encephalitis, tetanus and influenza
but often neglect vaccinating
against the rhinovirus.
Rhinipneumonitis-is also a viral
disease, which can pass from horse
to horse. It is rarely fatal to
adult horses, but can cause abortion
in mares at almost any stage of
pregnancy. The symptoms are similar
to influenza, such as watery
discharge of the horses nasal
passages, rise in temperature,
lethargy, coughing and appetite
loss. Abortion in pregnant
mares usually occurs during the
final trimester of the pregnancy.
Usually pregnant mares are given the
rhino shot at the 5th, 7th and 9th
month of pregnancy. Influenza
vaccines should be given once a year
with a booter shot in three months.
Many horse owners choose not to
vaccinate their horses with the flu
vac and have never had an outbreak,
but my advice is to contact your vet
for more information on what
vaccines your horse or horses need
and do ask him or her about the
rhino vaccine if you have any
pregnant mares. There are many
pros and cons to vaccines, some
horse owners prefer holistic herbs
vs vaccines and have had good
reports, so again check with other
knowledgeable horse owners and get
the information you need to protect
the health of your horse.
Written by,
Michele D. Anderson
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