| Many horse owners don't know that there are at | | | | problems will do well with the shots. Antibiotics are |
| least four types of Equine Herpesvirus. The ones that | | | | not going to generally help these horses, as they do |
| we associate the most are EHV-1 and EHV-4. EHV-1 | | | | not kill viruses, only bacteria. While the horse is ill with |
| is the most prevalent and often the most destructive | | | | the respiratory condition, all that owners and vets |
| to the horse. EHV-1 causes severe respiratory | | | | can do is to treat their symptoms. Your vet will |
| problems, abortion in mares and neurological disease. | | | | provide you with strong anti-inflammatory that |
| EHV-4 causes upper respiratory infection only. Most | | | | lessens swelling and pain. |
| horses, however, contract EHV-1 and is it usually first | | | | There are also no vaccines that are capable of |
| diagnosed by runny noses, fevers, coughs and | | | | preventing the neurological form of the disease. |
| broodmares that are aborting. | | | | Studies have been done on small groups of horses to |
| The neurological disease of EHV-1 is a mutant strain | | | | compare the effects of the modified-live vaccine |
| and has caused many stables and racetracks to have | | | | versus the inactivated killed vaccine. The modified-live |
| to be quarantined around the country. The University | | | | version of the vaccine seemed to be more effective |
| of Findley in Ohio has reported the most devastating | | | | to prevent the respiratory disease, while neither had |
| outbreak of EHV-1 where one-third of the schools | | | | an effect on preventing the neurological symptoms. |
| 140 horses displayed the neurological symptoms in | | | | The vaccine will help to minimize the spread of the |
| 2003. Twelve of the horses died from the disease. | | | | virus. |
| Once the virus has infected the horse, the horse will | | | | To prevent your horses from becoming victims to |
| be a lifelong carrier. This is very similar to the herpes | | | | EHV-1, it is recommended that your horses be placed |
| diseases found in humans. The horses may no longer | | | | on a food vaccination program as well as good herd |
| show signs of being ill, but they will continue to shed | | | | management. The American Association of Equine |
| the virus, especially during times of high stress. The | | | | Practitioners recommends that all pregnant mares be |
| horses sporadic shedding of the disease is often | | | | vaccinated in order to prevent abortions. Foals, |
| considered the cause of many outbreaks that occur | | | | weanlings, and yearlings should also be vaccinated. |
| randomly. Many veterinarians believe that nearly | | | | Foals should receive their first dose at four to six |
| three-quarters of the equine population are thought | | | | months, their second dose at five to seven months |
| to be carriers of the EHV-1 non-neurological form of | | | | and their third dose at six to eight months. They |
| the virus. | | | | should also receive the vaccinations at three-month |
| The disease is spread by infected horses through | | | | intervals. Yearlings and performance horses should |
| their respiratory secretions. Horses can contract the | | | | receive booster shots every three to four months or |
| disease through nose-to-nose contact, sharing | | | | annually depending on the amount of stress that |
| buckets, bits, lip chains and even on handlers. Once | | | | they are under. Broodmares should be vaccinated at |
| the virus has made it into the horse, the virus travels | | | | their fifth, seventh and ninth months of gestation |
| through the bloodstream. The early symptoms include | | | | with the inactivated EHV-1 vaccine. You may also |
| nasal discharge and a slight increase in temperature. | | | | give them an optional dose at their third month if the |
| The fever does not remain consistent, so if you | | | | mare is under stress. Mares should also be vaccinated |
| believe that your horse is showing symptoms, you | | | | before breeding and four to six weeks before foaling. |
| will want to check their temperature every six hours. | | | | Breeding stallions should also be vaccinated prior to |
| The nasal discharge will begin clear, but will turn to | | | | the start of their breeding season as well as every |
| thick and milky. Your veterinarian can obtain swabs of | | | | six months. |
| the discharge and blood samples to test for the | | | | Other preventative strategies include sanitizing your |
| disease. | | | | barn at least three times per year. Barns that have |
| If the horse is infected with the neurological strain, | | | | experienced outbreaks may sanitize six times per |
| the horse will begin to show symptoms in six to | | | | year. If you show horses and their was suspicion |
| twelve days. The initial progression of the disease | | | | that horses at the show may have been sick with |
| may happen quickly and within 24 to 72 hours. | | | | the virus, you will want to quarantine your own |
| Fevers are generally over 102 degrees Fahrenheit and | | | | horses from the rest of the herd for up to |
| other symptoms include the nasal discharge, | | | | twenty-one days. You will also want to disinfect |
| depression and loss of appetite. The first neurological | | | | every area of the barn which suspects sick horses |
| symptoms may begin in the hindquarters and may | | | | have been housed or worked. |
| include toe dragging, a floppy tail, incontinence and | | | | If an outbreak does occur at your barn, you will |
| weakness in the hind legs. Eventually, the horse will | | | | want to instruct all owners, handlers and visitors to |
| not be able to stand. If the horse is down for more | | | | wear leather or rubber boots that can be disinfected |
| than twenty-four hours, it is not likely that they will | | | | in chlorine or bleach. You should have disinfectant |
| survive the infection. | | | | tubs located at every entrance to the barn. You will |
| As the disease is caused by a virus, there is no cure | | | | want to disinfect all stalls, floors, walls and possibly |
| for it. Many vets will give horses immune modulator | | | | even arenas and fencing. Disinfect all grooming |
| shots that will help to boost their immune system | | | | supplies, buckets, water troughs and tack that may |
| and will help them to attack the disease through their | | | | have been shared. One horse in a large herd can |
| own immunity. Many horses with only the respiratory | | | | spread the disease throughout the whole herd. |