About Equine Influenza
Equine influenza is a extremely contagious respiratory illness that infects horses, ponies, and different equids, reminiscent of donkeys, mules, and zebras. The virus that causes it’s unfold by way of saliva and respiratory secretions from contaminated horses. Horses are generally uncovered by way of horse-to-horse contact; aerosol transmission from coughing and sneezing; and speak to with people’ contaminated palms, footwear, or garments or contaminated tack, buckets, or different gear.
Clinical indicators of equine influenza an infection can embody a excessive fever (as much as 106°F); a dry, hacking cough; melancholy; weak spot; anorexia; serous (watery) nasal discharge; and barely enlarged lymph nodes. Consider monitoring your horse’s well being at exhibits by taking his temperature each day, which may also help you choose up on indicators of an infection early and take applicable measures to scale back illness unfold.
Vaccination is a vital and cheap strategy to shield your horse. US Equestrian requires proof that horses have had an equine influenza vaccination inside the six months previous to attending organization-sanctioned competitions or occasions. Your veterinarian may also help you identify what different vaccines your horse would possibly profit from.
In addition to vaccinating, following strict biosecurity protocols may also help cut back your horse’s likelihood of an infection and illness. Such measures embody quarantining new equine arrivals at barns, disinfecting buckets and gear, and stopping nose-to-nose contact between horses.
Click right here to learn frequent questions and solutions about equine influenza.
