Have you trail ridden or strolled through tall grass or forest lately? You might want to check for ticks on you and your horse. Spring brings warmer, damp weather that leads to an increase in tick activity. Ticks can transfer disease-causing organisms to humans and horses, so being aware of common tick diseases in horses and prevention steps can help you keep your horse healthy.
Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Horses
Anaplasmosis is the most common tick-transferred disease to cause illness in horses. Humans and other animal species, including dogs and livestock can get a similar illness from ticks. Deer ticks commonly transfer the bacteria from small mammals (deer mice and woodrats). Signs of illness in horses after 10 to 45 days and include the following.
- Swollen limbs
- Small bleeds around the nose, mouth, eyes or vulva
- Fever
- Less common, incoordination; swollen muscles; or gut pain
Lyme disease is caused by the organism Borrelia burgdorferi and is less common in horses. Few horses develop clinical illness, usually months after the bite. Signs of Lyme disease are common among other diseases and include the following.
- Lameness
- Swollen joints
- Kidney disease
- Moon blindness
- Incoordination
If you suspect a tick-borne disease in your horse, consult your veterinarian to perform a proper diagnosis and rule out other conditions with similar signs of illness.
Preventing Tick-Borne Diseases
There are no vaccines available for anaplasmosis or Lyme disease, but there are prevention steps you can take.
- Remove and destroy ticks as soon as possible. Watch horses for early signs of illness.
- Reduce tick habitat near horses. Clear brush out of pastures and along both sides of the fence line. Keep pastures mowed.
- Use a topical insecticide that includes a label claim for ticks. Apply it to your horse before riding through long grass or brush. Water and dirt can reduce the effectiveness of topical insecticides. Always read and follow instructions on the product label.
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