In this new series, we ask some of the equine health questions you've wondered about but were too afraid to ask. Today, Dr. Bryant Craig, Equine Professional Services Veterinarian with Merck Animal Health, tackles a few common questions about respiratory illness in horses.
I think a lot of people are familiar with the big, “scary” respiratory diseases like strangles, EHV, etc. — but do horses just get common 'colds'?
Dr. Craig: With proper care, a respiratory illness in the horse can be mild in nature. There are several lesser-known respiratory viruses that occur in horses. Some of the most common are Equine Adenovirus, Equine Herpesvirus 2 and 5, and Equine Rhintis Virus B. These viruses are milder in their clinical signs and can be found as a co-infection with some of the other respiratory pathogens as well as by themselves.
However, it is important to keep in mind that any mild respiratory illness can quickly escalate into a pleuropneumonia, which can have devastating consequences for that horse, so all of them deserve attention.
What's the first thing an owner should do if they suspect their horse has a respiratory illness?
Dr. Craig: Isolate that animal as soon as possible to minimize transmission to the rest of the herd. Next step is to obtain a temperature on that animal and contact their veterinarian. After proper disinfection, I would advise going through the rest of the herd and making sure there are no additional horses exhibiting respiratory signs.
Diagnostics are important here so that we as practitioners can know what we are dealing with and determine an appropriate course of action for that horse and the premises. With today's technology, next day results are possible to get a diagnosis.
Do those recommendations change if a horse is fully up to date on their vaccines?
Dr. Craig: No. We still want to isolate a sick or suspected ill animal as soon as possible. We can always put them back in their original spot, but limiting contact with the rest of the herd/premise is the best first step. However, a fully vaccinated horse will be a lower risk for transmission than a naïve animal, so keeping those vaccinations up to date are the best management tool for overall disease reduction.
Why is respiratory disease so easily transmissible between horses?
Dr. Craig: The way we manage and house horses today lends itself to a rapid spread amongst a population. Gone are the days when horses were continually moving to new grazing areas and had the benefit of clean environments almost daily. Transportation of animals amongst different locations also plays a large role. Racetracks have a constantly evolving population which lends itself to disease transmission. Respiratory diseases can be transmitted a few different ways:
- In a stalled situation, those pathogens can be transmitted via aerosols (coughing, sneezing), personnel moving between animals, or common items such as tack, buckets, or even brushes.
- Out on pasture, nose to nose contact is probably the most common scenario, but aerosols, water sources, feed troughs, and personnel can still play a significant role.
What are some basic things horse owners can do to prevent outbreaks from these types of respiratory infections?
Dr. Craig: First and foremost is to keep the overall herd and individual health at the highest plane possible through a proper nutrition program, regular deworming, and an appropriate vaccination schedule. The environment we keep our horses in can play a big role as well, fresh air and clean living spaces being a fundamental part of this. Anything we can do to reduce the stress level also goes a long way in reducing disease. This is especially true when transporting them. Frequent breaks, access to water, and good air flow are all keys when trailering. Lastly, a biosecurity program for the farm or stable is necessary to avoid the introduction and spread of disease. This can be done in conjunction with their veterinarian and can make a huge difference in disease incidence and spread.
The post A Closer Look At: Equine Respiratory Disease appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
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