Equine viral rhinopneumonitis (EVR) produces an acute respiratory catarrh, which is inflammation due to excessive discharge or buildup of mucus in the throat and nose. The Type I strain of EVR is the most common virus found in horses. Transmission of EVR occurs with direct or indirect contact with virus-laden nasal discharge, aborted fetus, or placenta.
1. congestion and clear nasal discharge
2. mild to server ataxia or paresis (slight of incomplete paralysis) of hind quarters
3. fever for two to three days
4. cough
5. abortion after three to 12 weeks of exposure and most commonly in the eighth to 11th month of gestation.
Treatment consists of isolating infected horses and initiating good sanitary and hygiene management.
Annual vaccinations and good sanitary practices provide the best preventive treatment.
Equine Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease, which spreads rapidly among susceptible horses. It is rarely fatal except in young horses. The incubation period of influenza is ~1-3 days. Clinical signs begin abruptly and include high fever (up to 106 degrees F [41.1 degrees C]), serous nasal discharge, and coughing that is dry, harsh, and nonproductive. Depression, anorexia, and weakness are frequently observed. Clinical signs usually last less than three days in uncomplicated cases. Cough develops early in the course of infection and may persist for several weeks. Nasal discharge, although scant and serous initially, may become mucopurulent due to secondary bacterial infection. Mildly affected horses recover uneventfully in two to three weeks; severely affected horses may convalesce for up to six months, which is very undesirable, especially in the case of performance horses. Recovery may be hastened by complete restriction of strenuous physical activity. Respiratory tract epithelium takes ~21 days to regenerate; during this time, horses are susceptible to development of secondary bacterial complications such as pneumonia and other illnesses. Complications are minimized by restricting exercise, controlling dust, providing superior ventilation, and practicing good stable hygiene.
Clinical Signs
High fever, cough, nasal discharge, and decreased performance.
Treatment
Rest and nursing care are required. Horses should be rested one week for every day of fever with a minimum of a three-week rest. The administration of antibiotics may be necessary, especially in the case of secondary bacterial infection.
Prevention
Vaccination (every three to six months), isolation of newly introduced horses for two weeks, and isolation of infected horse to reduce contamination of the healthy herd.
See Influenza in Horses for more information.
Proper Way to Bandage the Forearm
Wounds on a horse's forearm are difficult to bandage because of the forearm's shape. The tapering of the forearm will cause the bandage to slip off.
Numbers correspond to leg drawings above. Note all hand positions.
- Make sure the leg is cleaned, dried, and ready for routine dressing.
- Apply two or three long strips of adhesive tape vertically;
- Apply medicated gauze pad and wrap with flexible bandage such as Kling Gauze, starting in the middle of the forearm and spiraling downward, then back up and to the middle.
- Wrap cotton around leg.
- Start self-adherent elastic wrap in the middle of the forearm under edge of cotton wrap and secure with a second wrap. Work the ends of adhesive tape into the elastic wrap. Remember to work down the leg, then back up and to the middle.
Proper Way to Bandage a Knee
It is more difficult to apply bandaging over the knees and hocks. Care must be taken to not place pressure on the bony prominences located just under the skin of these joints. Otherwise the horse will have bandage sores.
Numbers correspond to leg drawings above. Note all hand positions.
1) Apply medicated gauze pad, and take two or three wraps with flexible wrap such as Kling Gauze above the knee.
2-5) Wrap a figure eight around the knee about 12 times.
6) Spray tincture of benzoin on the hair above the knee to aid in sticking the self-adherent elastic wrap.
7) Starting 6 to 8 inches above the Kling Wrap, take two wraps with the elastic wrap around the leg.
8) Use moderate tension as you start wrapping downward.
9) Continue wrapping down the knee, trying not to cover the bony prominences of the inside and back of knee.
10-12) Continue wrapping until you have applied four layers of elastic bandage, ending above the knee.
Millions of Americans read the book or saw the movie, “The Horse Whisperer,” and were amazed at the connection between trainer and horse. How can a human being communicate so effectively and intuitively with a creature that doesn’t speak our language? The answer is pretty straightforward- by learning to communicate like a horse. Natural Horsemanship is based on understanding the natural herd hierarchy or pecking order, how horses use body language to communicate and the understanding of horses’ ‘explosive flight’ instincts that have helped protect them from natural predators.
