What are the symptoms of equine influenza in horses?

Sick horses can exhibit fever, nasal discharge, cough, lethargy, loss of appetite and weakness. A cough is one of the most notable signs of equine flu. The virus causes destruction of cells in the throat and lungs, which take 3 weeks to regenerate.

How long does it take for a horse to recover from equine influenza?

The majority of horses will recover within about 14 days; however, in some horses a post-viral cough can persist for a much longer time, sometimes up to several weeks. On rare occasions it can take up to 6 months for some horses to regain full health.

What part of the body does equine influenza affect?

The highly contagious disease, more commonly known as equine flu, is caused by the influenza virus and affects the upper and lower respiratory tract of horses, donkeys and mules.

How long is a horse contagious with influenza?

Horses with the disease remain infectious for up to seven to 10 days. The dry, harsh-sounding cough may linger for several weeks.

What are the symptoms of strangles?

More typical signs of Strangles include the following:

• Depression.
• Loss of appetite/ Difficulty eating.
• Raised temperature.
• Cough.
• Nasal discharge, often thick and yellow (purulent or pus like).
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands) around the throat.
• Drainage of pus from the lymph nodes around the jaw.

How is Potomac horse fever diagnosed?

Potomac horse fever can look clinically similar to several other diseases so a firm diagnosis requires further testing. Tests for PHF include a blood antibody test (titer), and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) of the blood and feces. A high titer to PHF suggests a recent exposure to N. risticii.

How do you treat equine influenza?

Horses should be rested 1 wk for every day of fever, with a minimum of 3 wk rest (to allow regeneration of the mucociliary apparatus). NSAIDs are recommended for horses with a fever >104°F (40°C). Antibiotics are indicated when fever persists beyond 3–4 days or when purulent nasal discharge or pneumonia is present.

How long does equine flu last?

Illness may last from 2 to 10 days but complete recovery takes much longer and horses remain capable of spreading disease throughout the period during which they are sick.

Where is equine influenza most common?

Equine influenza is a common, highly contagious respiratory disease of equids with a near-global distribution. Central Asia, Australia, and Japan experienced large equine influenza virus (EIV) outbreaks in 2007 (1,2).

What are the symptoms of strangles in horses?

What are the signs of Strangles?

• Depression.
• Loss of appetite/ Difficulty eating.
• Raised temperature.
• Cough.
• Nasal discharge, often thick and yellow (purulent or pus like).
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands) around the throat.
• Drainage of pus from the lymph nodes around the jaw.

What does equine influenza do?

Equine influenza (EI) is an acute, highly contagious, viral disease which can cause rapidly spreading outbreaks of respiratory disease in horses and other equine species.