Transcript Disease and Vaccinations

AGRI 3364
Disease Control
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 What effects disease control?
 Management
 Well fed
 Well managed healthy horses
 Which are not subjected to undue stress
 Vaccinations alone will not
 Prevent disease
Disease Control
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 Incidence of infectious disease tends to increase
with what?
 Numbers
 What other factors influence disease?
 Environment and Management
 Quarantine may be necessary for new horses
Vaccinations
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 Disease control programs may vary according to?
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Age
Type
Number
Stocking Density
Facilities
Geographic Location
Potential Exposure to Individual Diseases
Diseases
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 Tetanus
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Caused by Clostridium tetani
Spores can live in soil for many years
Not contagious
Deep puncture wounds or open lacerations
Act by preventing relaxation
“Sawhorse” stance
Become unable to eat or drink
Finally cease to breathe
Diseases
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 Tetanus
 Yearly booster for all horses
 Pregnant mares 4 – 6 wks before foaling
 Tetanus antitoxin also available for short time
protection
Diseases
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 Equine Encephalomyelitis
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AKA Sleeping Sickness
Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan Strains
Transmitted by mosquitoes
Not contagious horse to horse
Causes degeneration of the brain
 High Fever
 Mild Depression
 Loss of Appetite
Diseases
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 Equine Encephalomyelitis
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Paralysis eventually occurs
Eating and Drinking Cease
Annual Vaccination Suggested
4 to 6 months before foaling
Foal vaccination at 3 to 4 months
Diseases
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 Influenza
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Most common infectious respiratory disease
Highly contagious
Virus – can travel 35 yards
Effects lungs causing discharge and coughing
Fever up to 106
Recovery within 10 days generally
Viruses continually evolving
Vaccination schedules vary
Diseases
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 Equine Herpesvirus
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AKA Rhinopneumonitis
Type 1 and Type 4
Both infect respiratory tract
Similar characteristics to flu
Type 1 causes abortions
Type 4 commonly found in
 Young horses entering into training
 Mares to be vaccinated at 5, 7, & 9 months
Diseases
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 Strangles
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Bacterium Streptococcus equi
Primarily effects young horses
AKA distemper or barn fever
Transmitted by direct contact also water troughs, etc.
Fever, depression, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes
Vaccines are not completely effective
Vaccine schedules vary
Diseases
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 Rabies
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Neurological Disease
Must be bitten by infected wildlife
Negra bodies in brain
Fatal
Diseases
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 Equine Infectious Anemia
 Caused by a virus closely related to human
immunodeficiency virus
 Once infected always infected
 Most common transmitters are?
 Flys
 Coggins test
 If positive is suggested to euthanize
Diseases
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 West Nile Disease
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Mosquito Borne virus
First detected in US in 1999
Causes encephalitis
No treatment known at this time
Vaccine available now
Diseases
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 Equine Protozoal Myoencephalitis (EPM)
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First Recognized in mid 1970’s
Can affect any horse
Caused by ingestion of protozoa
Lead to in coordination
Vaccine and treatment now available
Diseases
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 Vesicular Stomatitis
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Virus
Causes lesions, excessive salivation, and drooling
Generally breakouts occur in warm months
Looks similar to foot and mouth disease
Transmission not clear
No specific treatment or cure
Supportive Care