How Do I Know If My Horse Has Equine Flu?

Clinical signs of equine flu in horses are variable, but include the following: a high temperature of 39-41°C (103-106°F) lasting for 1-3 days. a frequent harsh, dry cough that can last for several weeks. a clear, watery nasal discharge that may become thicker and yellow or green after 4-5 days.

What are the signs of equine influenza?

Equine influenza affects the upper respiratory systems of horses, causing symptoms that are similar to humans experiencing influenza:

• Deep, dry cough.
• Nasal discharge.
• Lethargy.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Lack of appetite.

How long does equine flu last?

What is the prognosis for equine influenza? The prognosis for infected horses is good, with recovery occurring in approximately 2-3 weeks.

What do you give a horse with the flu?

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 is equine influenza treated in horses?

There is no specific treatment for equine influenza, with many horses needing mostly supportive and nursing care. Sometimes there is a secondary bacterial infection which can need further treatment. Your horse will need a minimum of six weeks rest to recover and your vet will advise you on this.

Is equine flu fatal?

Equine Influenza (EI) is a highly contagious though rarely fatal respiratory disease of horses, donkeys and mules and other equidae.

What are the first signs of strangles in horses?

What are the clinical signs of strangles? The incubation period for strangles is 3 to 8 days, at which point clinical signs, including lethargy, anorexia, fever, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes with abscess formation may appear.

What do horses do when they’re sick?

These include:

• change in appetite or drinking habits.
• change in droppings or signs of diarrhoea.
• change in demeanour or behaviour.
• change in weight (either increase or decrease)
• change in coat/foot condition.

How often should a horse be vaccinated for equine influenza?

Vaccination is often given as a combination vaccine with equine influenza. A primary course of two vaccinations is given 4-6 weeks apart, followed by a booster in 12 months. Subsequent vaccinations are usually given every 2 years.

What is the quickest way to treat flu?

9 Tips to Ease Flu Symptoms

1. Stay home and get plenty of rest.
2. Drink plenty of fluids.
3. Treat aches and fever.
4. Take care of your cough.
5. Sit in a steamy bathroom.
6. Run the humidifier.
7. Try a lozenge.
8. Get salty.

What helps beat the flu?

If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms:

1. Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration.
2. Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection.
3. Consider pain relievers.

What treats flu fast?

How to treat flu yourself

• rest and sleep.
• keep warm.
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains.
• drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)

What does horse strangles look like?

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 disinfectant kills strangles?

Kill the bacteria easily by heat and disinfectants such as an iodine-based disinfectant, chlorhexidine, or hot steam spray. Eliminating its spread will require steps such as: Cleaning and disinfecting water buckets and feed containers daily. Scrubbing to disinfect any stall areas contaminated by an infected animal.

What are two clinical signs of strangles?

Clinical signs of strangles can include fever, lethargy, nasal discharge, soft cough, reluctance to eat or drink, abnormal head positioning, and swelling and abscessation of lymph nodes. The abscessed lymph nodes can become enlarged, hard and painful and can block the airways of the horse (hence the name strangles).

How do you tell if a horse is not feeling well?

Common Signs Your Horse Is Sick

1. Change In The Horse’s Behaviour. When a horse is sick, it will start to behave differently.
2. Change In The Way The Body Functions. After spending some time with a horse, you will understand how its body functions.
3. Weight Loss.
4. Dull Skin And Hair.
5. Poor Oral Hygiene.
6. Aggression When You Saddle It.

How do you tell if a horse has an infection?

Signs that an injury is becoming infected include unusual heat (warmer than the surrounding tissue); pain (discomfort should subside in the days following an injury, so increased pain is a danger sign); color (reddened skin, or red streaks radiating from the injury); and odor (anything out of the ordinary).

How do you comfort a sick horse?

Spend time with it
Even if the animal has deteriorating eyesight, it can feel your presence with smell and sound. Talk to the horse because your caring voice makes it feel safe and comfortable. Take it out for a walk every day to get some fresh air and sunshine.

What vaccines do horses need every 6 months?

A “5-way” (EEE/WEE, Tetanus, Influenza, and Rhino) vaccine is administered to 4-H, exhibition, and breeding or boarding barn horses. Depending on the risk, these vaccines may be repeated in 6-month intervals.

How often should a horse be wormed?

Most horses only need to be dewormed once or twice a year. Before deworming in the spring, we recommend having a fecal egg count (FEC) done. This procedure allows us to measure the number of worm eggs a horse is shedding in its feces. Based on the results, we will recommend whether you need to deworm your horse.

When should I inject my horse sick?

The vaccination for AHS involves two injections, 3 weeks apart. Both vaccines are essential in order for horses to be protected. Horses should be vaccinated between August – September each year. The vaccine comes in a pack containing two small bottles, two syringes filled with a clear liquid (diluent) and two needles.