Horse Disease
Diagnosis, Symptoms
Possible Treatments
Horse illness is something most people
do not understand, but when you own a
horse you must learn as much as you
can about the injuries and sickness that
can afflict your horse. Prevention is a
major part of maintaining the health of
your horse. Becoming aware of the
various common ailments also helps you
address the small things and prevent
them from becoming big, health problems.
Outline of current diseases
that APHIS
works to prevent, control, or eliminate
both domestically and abroad
Equine
Herpes Virus or Equine Rhinopneumonitis virus or EHV is a
highly infectious viral horse disease. The virus can survive for
14 to 45 days in the environment and is spread via the respiratory
tract or from aborted fetuses, membranes and fluid. Infected foals
can also pass the infection onto healthy mares in their group via
their respiratory systems.
Equine
Infectious Anemia - EIA is a viral disease of members of the
horse family. The equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is
categorized as a retrovirus: it contains genetic RNA material,
which it uses to produce DNA. This DNA is then incorporated into
the genetic makeup of infected cells. Identified in France in 1843
and first tentatively diagnosed in the United States in 1888, EIA
has commanded a great deal of attention over the years. There is
no vaccine or treatment for the disease. It is often difficult to
differentiate from other fever-producing diseases, including
anthrax, influenza, and equine encephalitis.
Equine
Viral Arteritis (EVA) is caused by arterivirus. Clinical signs
include fever, respiratory problems, severe coughing and the
accumulation of fluid in the body. The virus is transmitted by
secretions from infected animals. Control measures are primarily
aimed at stallions because they spread the disease via semen.
Horse
Transport The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has established
regulations for the transportation of equines for slaughter. This
action fulfills APHIS' responsibility under the 1996 farm bill to
regulate the commercial transportation of horses for slaughter
within the United States.
Vesicular
Stomatitis is a viral disease characterized by fever,
vesicles, and subsequent erosions in the mouth and epithelium on
the teats and feet. Horses, cattle, and pigs are naturally
susceptible; sheep and goats are rarely affected.
West
Nile Virus is spread by infected mosquitoes, and can cause
serious, life-altering and even fatal disease. Virus transmission
may occur in parts of the country where mosquitoes are still
active.
National
Animal Health Monitoring System Reports - Equine
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