Contents
How is Rhinopneumonitis treated?
There is no specific treatment for this infection. Rest and good nursing care may minimize the chance of secondary bacterial infection. Fever-reducing medications may be recommended in some cases, such as for horses with a fever greater than 104°F (40°C).
What causes Rhinopneumonitis?
Rhinopneumonitis, also called rhino, is an inflammation of the mucosa of the nasal cavities and lungs in horses. It is caused by the equine herpes virus and only affects horses. Almost all adult horses are infected due to natural exposure after birth.
How do you prevent Rhinopneumonitis?
Proper vaccinations are the most important prevention in dealing with this disease. Effective vaccines are available and horses should be vaccinated several times a year to ensure immunity.
What is horse Rhinopneumonitis?
Rhinopneumonitis (“rhino”) in horses is roughly equivalent to the common cold in people—it is a highly contagious respiratory infection spread by virus that passes readily from horse to horse. An outbreak can spread quickly and easily through a herd.
What are the symptoms of Rhinopneumonitis in horses?
Symptoms of Equine Rhinopneumonitis in Horses
- Fever that lasts for 1 to 7 days.
- Coughing.
- Depression.
- Not eating.
- Nasal discharge.
- Incoordination.
- Paralysis in the hindquarters.
- Unable to stand up.
Should I vaccinate against EHV?
There is no vaccine registered to prevent EHV-1 neurological disease. Vaccination is especially recommended for horses under the age of five as they may be particularly susceptible to respiratory disease caused by EHV-1. Vaccination can also help reduce the amount of virus shed by an infected horse.
Can horses recover from EHV-1?
In most cases, horses exposed to EHV-1 will develop a fever and possibly nasal discharge and then go on to recover. However, the neurologic EHM strain has a high mortality rate of 30-50%. Recovery time can vary from several days to more than a year.
Can you vaccinate against EHV?
There is no vaccine registered to prevent EHV-1 neurological disease. Vaccination is especially recommended for horses under the age of five as they may be particularly susceptible to respiratory disease caused by EHV-1.
Is there an EHV-1 vaccine?
While there are several vaccines available for protection against both respiratory disease and abortion as a result of EHV-1 infection, at this time there is no equine licensed vaccine that has a label claim for protection against neurologic disease (EHM).
How do horses get rhinopneumonitis?
Causes of Equine Rhinopneumonitis in Horses The virus is airborne and can travel through the air for short distances. Direct contact occurs when an infected horse and an uninfected horse come into contact with each other; usually nose to nose contact has to occur.
What is Myeloencephalopathy?
Myeloencephalitis:Inflammation of both the spinal cord and the brain. Myeloencephalitis (also called encephalomyelitis) can be caused by a variety of conditions that lead to inflammation of the spinal cord and brain. Among the common causes of myeloencephalitis are viruses which infect the nervous system.
How do horses get Rhinopneumonitis?
Can a young horse get equine Rhinopneumonitis?
Foals and younger horses are more susceptible to equine rhinopneumonitis, although horses of any age can contract the disease. Equine rhinopneumonitis, or equine viral rhinopneumonitis, is a highly contagious disease.
When to abort a pregnant mare with Rhinopneumonitis?
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see any symptoms. Pregnant mares can abort their pregnancies between 7 and 11 months of gestation, usually about 2 to 12 weeks after infected with equine rhinopneumonitis.
What happens when a horse has a nasal infection?
As this copious nasal discharge, often referred to as ‘snots’ by veterinarians and owners, accumulates, secondary bacterial infections may develop. This excessive discharge or buildup of mucus in the throat and nose leads to congestion, fever, coughing, and mild to severe paralysis of the hind quarters.