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Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) Outbreak

Image:EHV-feature-image.jpgFind out more about the recent Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) outbreak and access links to recent reports and resources.

 

 

EHV-1 Outbreak Information

EHV-1 Outbreak

What is EHV-1?

  • Equine Herpes Virus is one of the most common respiratory diseases affecting horses. There are at least four equine herpes viruses.
  • EHV1 and EHV4 are the two herpes viruses that commonly cause respiratory disease.
  • EVH1 can also cause neurologic disease.
  • EHV-1 is commonly found in horse populations worldwide and was previously referred to as the equine
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Zoonotic Diseases Affecting Horses and Humans

Veterinarian with horse owner

Horses can be impacted by several different diseases and illnesses. Preventative steps are critical to keeping your horse healthy. But what if your horse does become ill – can the disease be transmitted to you? 

Every horse person needs to know about zoonotic diseases (an animal disease that can be transmitted to humans) for their own safety as well as that of their families and employees. These diseases, their clinical signs and advice are discussed in this brochure. Your …

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Vesicular Stomatitis

Kathy Anderson, Extension Horse Specialist, University of Nebraska

Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease which affects horses, cattle, swine, and occasionally sheep and goats. Additionally, numerous species of wild animals including deer, bobcats, goats, raccoons and monkeys are susceptible. The virus causing vesicular stomatitis can also infect handlers of infected animals.

Vesicular stomatitis most commonly occurs during warm months in the Southwest region of the United States, particularly along river ways and in valleys. Recent outbreaks in the Southwest …

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The Role of Nutrition in Horse Colic and Laminitis

Laminitis is inflammation within the sensitive laminae of the feet. It can occur for many reasons, but as a nutritional problem it is commonly linked to grain-rich diets, ingestion of too much rich pasture, and obesity. Grain overload or a diet rich in high-carbohydrate feed (grain or lush pasture) initiates a series of metabolic and endocrine (hormone) disturbances in the body. A diet abundant in carbohydrates upsets normal intestinal bacteria, allowing more endotoxins from harmful bacteria to be absorbed into …

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Bacterial Diseases of the Horse

Craig Wood, University of Kentucky

Strangles

Craig Wood, University of Kentucky

Strangles is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection in horses. The cause has been identified as a bacteria. The disease has a low mortality rate, yet the economic ramifications due to long recovery periods can be great. The disease is contracted through environmental contamination, nasal discharge, or direct contact with infected animals.

Clinical Signs

 

1. high fever of 103 to 106 F
2. loss of appetite
3. a moist
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Encephalomyelitis in horses

Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky

Equine encephalomyelitis, also called “sleeping sickness,” is an infectious disease that affects the brain of the horse. Three strains have been identified: Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan. The mortality of the three strains runs from moderate to high. The Eastern strain occurs more frequently and has the highest mortality rate.

The cause of encephalomyelitis is a virus. Reservoir hosts include birds, reptiles, and rodents. The mosquito acts as the vector, transmitting the virus from the …

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Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins’ Disease)

Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky

Equine infectious anemia (EIA), or swamp fever, is a viral disease that occurs worldwide. The disease is usually spread by horse flies biting an infected horse, then biting a healthy horse. The disease can also be transmitted by the use of nonsterile needles and blood-contaminated surgical instruments.

Clinical Signs

 

1. high fever
2. labored breathing
3. pounding heartbeat and exhaustion
4. anemia.

 

Horses that recover usually remain carriers of the disease. The death rate is low.…

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Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)

Craig Wood, University of Kentucky

The organism Sarcocystis neurona, a single-celled animal, can cause equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), a neurological disease that can affect equines of any age, sex, and in any location throughout the United States. The parasitic cycle involves birds eating plants and other animals of prey that carry the sporocysts of the organism. The opossum then eats birds killed by the effects of the disease. The organism reproduces sexually in the opossum and is passed …

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Strangles in horses

Craig Wood, University of Kentucky

Strangles is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection in horses. The cause has been identified as a bacteria. The disease has a low mortality rate, yet the economic ramifications due to long recovery periods can be great. The disease is contracted through environmental contamination, nasal discharge, or direct contact with infected animals.

Clinical Signs

 

1. high fever of 103 to 106 F
2. loss of appetite
3. a moist cough
4. clear nasal discharge that becomes
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Tetanus in horses

Craig Wood, University of Kentucky

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is an extremely serious disease of the central nervous system that has a high mortality rate in horses. The bacteria causing tetanus is found worldwide, and therefore, every unvaccinated horse is a potential victim.

The disease is caused by a toxin released by the bacteria Clostridium tetani. This bacteria is normally found in the intestinal tract of horses and is passed in the feces. The spores are always present …