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West Nile Virus Tip Sheet
** For a print friendly version
click here.
West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that
cause
encephalitis (swelling of the brain and spinal
cord).
All horse's symptoms will vary, some may not show
any
symptoms, while others may show a few or all of the
symptoms
listed below. * If your horse has any of the
following
symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately!
The incubation period of the WNV is 5-15 days
starting
the day the horse was bitten. The most common signs
that
may affect the horse are:
* Altered gait in the horse
* Muscle tremors & (muzzle
twitching)
* Fever ( not as common)
* Depression
* Loss of appetite
* Inability to swallow
* Circling
* Impaired vision or blindness
* Weakness of the hind legs
* Head pressing
* Lower lip may droop
* Partial paralysis (usually
starts in hind legs)
* Convulsion and or seizures
* Ataxia (lack of muscle
coordination such as moving or standing)
* Drunken appearance (stumble,
wander aimlessly)
* Hyper-excitability
* Head leaning (against and
object) and tilted head
* Coma and death
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