Equine Diseases
Below is a listing of some of the diseases that can affect horses. Many of these disease have vaccines available to help prevent against contracting or spreading. We highly recommend annually vaccinating your horse. If you suspect your horse(s) of exhibiting symptoms of any of the diseases listed below, please contact a veterinarian immediately.
|
What to do in the first 30 minutes of a suspected infectious disease outbreak
Click here to read tips on what you should do in the case of an infectious disease outbreak.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis or EEE is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes or other biting insects. Birds act as a reservoirs for the virus; mosquitoes and other biting insects then carry the pathogen from infected birds and transmit it to the horses they bite. An affected horse does not contagious and does not pose any risk to other horses, humans or birds. For more information about this disease click here.
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1 and EHV-4) is a virus that is spread from horse to horse through contact with nasal discharge or spread as aerosol droplets. It can also be spread by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces such as stalls, water, feed, tack, and transport vehicles. Humans can also spread the virus from horse to horse by contaminated hands and clothing. For more information about this disease click here.
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)
Equine Infectious Anemia also known as Coggins disease is a virus that is transmitted through blood by a blood-feeding insect such as a horsefly, deerfly, or stable fly from an infected horse to an uninfected horse. The disease can also be transmitted through medical equipment such as needles, syringes, IV tubing, or other equipment contaminated with blood or through transfusion of blood or blood products of an infected horse. Transmission from mare to foal in utero has also been documented. For more information about the disease click here.
Equine Influenza
Equine Influenza (Flu) is a RNA virus that is most commonly transmitted through the air. Infected horses release infective droplets into the air by coughing or snorting which are then inhaled by horses in close proximity. Horses can also be exposed by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces such as stalls, wash racks, stocks, water sources, feed, tack, grooming equipment such as wipe rags and transport vehicles. Humans can also spread the virus from horse to horse by contaminated hands and clothing. For more information about this disease click here.
Rabies
Rabies is a virus transmitted through a bite wound from an infected animal but can also enter through open wounds, cuts in the skin, abrasions, or direct contact with mucous membranes of infected animals. This is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transferred from animals to humans. For more information about this disease click here.
Streptococcus Equi (Strangles)
Streptococcus Equi also known as Strangles is a bacterial infection. Strangles is spread from horse to horse through direct contact. Horses can also contract the disease by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. This disease is highly infectious. For more information about this disease click here.
Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE)
Western Equine Encephalitis or WEE is a vector born virus transmitted by mosquitoes or other biting insects. Birds act as reservoirs for the virus. After mosquitoes bite an infected bird, they can transmit the virus when they bite a horse. WEE is not contagious and poses no risk to other horses, humans or birds. For more information about this disease click here.
West Nile Virus (WNV)
West Nile Virus or WNV is vector borne and transmitted by mosquitoes and other biting insects. Birds act as a reservoir for this virus, mosquitoes and other biting insects then carry the pathogen from infected birds and transmit to horse when they bite. This disease is not contagious and poses no risk to other horses or birds. For more information about this disease click here.