Download Equine Encephalitis

Prevention
References:
Equine encephalitis. (2014).
Prevention is the key in helping extend a
horse’s life. Since Encephalitis is so
highly viral and there is no cure it is
highly encouraged that the owner properly
vaccinate their horse on a yearly basis.
Vaccination age for horses are:
Encyclopædia Britannica,
Sellon, D. C., & Long, M. T.
(2007). Equine infectious
1. Foals from vaccinated mares: 5, 6,
and 8 months
diseases. St. Louis, Mo. :
2. Foals from unvaccinated mares: 4,
5, and 7 months.
Saunders Elsevier, [2007].
3. Broodmares: 1 month till due for
passive transfer.
Stephen Berger, M. (2016).
4. Imported horses: receive three
initial injections, three times a year
for at least 2 years afterarriving.
Foals need to be vaccinated between
January and March. Not a 100%
guarentee but better to be safe than
sorry.
Equine Encephalitis: Global
Status. [N.p.]: GIDEON
Informatics Inc.
Equine Encephalitis
By:
Aubrey McMahan
What is Equine Encephalitis?
There are three types of Equine Encephalitis:
1.
Depending on severity, the affected
horse could have anywhere from 2 – 14
days to live. Diagnosis detected
through either cell cultures or detected
postmortem through brain material.
Therapy

So far, there is no antiviral medication
to counteract the virus once the horse
has obtained it.

IV fluids and support have helped
make the horse comfortable.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
2. Western Equine Encephalitis
3. Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis
Clinical Findings
Naturally one of the most pathogenic
neurotropic viruses, it is not surprising the
amount of cases occur when a horse is not
vaccinated for encephalitis. Some signs one
can pay attention to, should one’s horse have
encephalitis are:
1. High temperature (101°F - 104° F)
2. Depression
3. Anorexia
4. Change in mentation
5. Blindness
6. Head pressing
7. Teeth grinding
8. Stupor
9. Drooping ears
10. Staggering
11. Severe is full paralysis and
recumbence
These types of diseases are a virus which
affects the horse’s neurologic system and
are fatal. Once noticed, the horse has to be
immediately isolated from other horses to
prevent it from spreading.
How is it transmitted?
Life cycle of Encephalitis involves
transmission through either:
1. Birds
2. Rodents
3. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes being the main spreader of this
horrible virus this are why veterinarians
highly stress in both dumping stagnant water
and constantly keeping fresh water in the
water trough. This will deter and prevent
mosquito’s either laying eggs or the larvae
from maturing into adults.