Transcript Equine Science & Technology

Equine Science &
Technology
Equine Diseases
Equine Diseases
Anthrax (Splenic Fever)
Anthrax- an acute infectious disease affecting
horses and other warm-blooded animals.
 Horses usually contract the disease by ingestion
of the soil, vegetation, or water contaminated
with bacterial spores.
 Identified by a microscopic examination of the
blood, in which will be found Bacilli anthracis.
Equine Diseases
Anthrax (Splenic Fever)
 The first indication of the disease may be the
presence of severe symptoms of colic,
accompanied by high temperature, loss of
appetite, muscular weakness, depression,
etc.
 Disease can be prevented by immunization.
Equine Diseases
Diarrhea in Foals
Diarrhea is one of the most common disorders
in foals.
 Can be caused by: mare’s first heat after
foaling, dietary changes, parasites, and
infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses.
 The symptoms and signs of foal diarrhea are
depression, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
Equine Diseases
Diarrhea in Foals
 In severe diarrhea, the foal may have fever
and reddened mucous membranes.
 Diarrhea can most effectively be treated if
discovered early.
Equine Diseases
Equine Influenza
 A highly contagious respiratory disease
widespread throughout the world.
 Caused by a group of viruses.
 Outbreaks frequently appear where a number
of horses are assembled.
Equine Diseases
Equine Influenza
 Virus itself is carried in contaminated water
and on contaminated feed, bedding, buckets,
brooms, clothing, etc.
 Treatment should be handled by the
veterinarian and consists of isolation of
affected animals.
Equine Diseases
Lyme Disease
 Spread by ticks.
 Most common symptoms in horses are
shifting-leg lameness, fever, muscle aches
and pains, limb swelling, eye inflammation,
and abortion.
 Many horses may be exposed to the agent
without developing clinical disease.
Equine Diseases
Lyme Disease
 Lyme disease is fairly simple to treat using
Penicillin and tetracycline.
Equine Diseases
West Nile Virus
 Virus is spread and carried by mosquitoes.
 One of the newest diseases to affect horses
in the U.S.
 There is no specific treatment for the disease;
treatment is based on presenting signs.
 A vaccine for West Nile Virus is available, but
its effectiveness is unknown.
Equine Diseases
Rabies
 An acute infectious disease of horses and all
other warm-blooded animals.
 Characterized by deranged consciousness
and paralysis.
 Caused by a virus that is usually carried into
a bite wound by infected saliva.
 Treatment is not advisable as infected
animals eventually die.
Equine Diseases
Equine Infectious Anemia (Swamp Fever)
 A serious viral disease sometimes referred to
as swamp fever, mountain fever, slow fever or
malarial fever.
 Once infected virus remains in the blood for
life.
 Virus is spread by biting insects, especially
flies, but may also be spread by hypodermic
needles.
Equine Diseases
Equine Infectious Anemia (Swamp Fever)
 Symptoms include: high and intermittent
fever, depression, stiffness and weakness,
loss of weight, anemia, etc.
 Treatment has been unsuccessful because
there is no method known to destroy the virus
in the bloodstream.
Equine Diseases
Body Temperature
 Normally ranging from 100 to 102°F.
 Body temperature is affected by stable or
outside temperature, exercise, excitement,
age, feed, etc.
 Temperature is measured by inserting the
thermometer into the rectum.
Equine Diseases
Pulse Rate
 Indicates the rapidity of the heart action.
 Pulse is taken either at the margin of the jaw,
at the inside of the elbow, or under the tail.
 Pulse rate can increase with exercise,
excitement, digestion, and high outside
temperatures.
Equine Diseases
Respiration Rate
 Determined by placing the hand on the flank,
by observing the rise and fall of the flank, or,
in the winter, by watching the breath
condensate coming from the nostrils.
 Rapid breathing due to recent exercise,
excitement, hot weather, or poorly ventilated
buildings should not be confused with
disease.
 In foals the normal respiratory rate may
approach 40 breaths per minute.
Equine Diseases
Immune reactions are characterized by the
ability of the horse to resist and/or overcome
disease through either (1) natural immunity
or (2) acquired immunity.
Natural Immunity
 First line of defense. However, it is
nonspecific. The immune cells attack any
bacteria they are not programmed for a
specific organism.
Equine Diseases
Acquired Immunity
 Immunity that is specific for a certain
organism.
 Can be either active or passive.
Equine Diseases
Acquired Immunity
 Active Immunity-immunity that results from
the immune system being stimulated to
produce antibodies.
 Active immunity is not developed until after
one or two weeks, but is far more lasting.
 If animal is injected with antibodies produced
by another individual, the immunity is referred
to as passive immunity.
Equine Diseases
Acquired Immunity
 Young suckling mammals obtain passive
immunity from the colostrum that they obtain
from their mothers following birth.
 Passive immunity confers immunity upon
injection, but the immunity disappears quickly,
usually within three to six weeks.