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.
What is the most effective treatment for equine influenza?
Treatment for equine influenza involves treating the symptoms and allowing your horse to rest. Just like the human flu virus, there is no cure for equine influenza. At least 6 weeks of rest are recommended in order for the damaged liner of the upper respiratory tract to adequately heal.
How long does it take for a horse to recover from equine influenza?
The prognosis for infected horses is good, with recovery occurring in approximately 2-3 weeks. Although equine influenza infection very rarely results in fatality, severely affected horses can be out of work for up to 6 months.
How serious is equine influenza?
Equine Influenza (EI) is a highly contagious though rarely fatal respiratory disease of horses, donkeys and mules and other equidae. The disease has been recorded throughout history, and when horses were the main draft animals, outbreaks of EI crippled the economy.
How long does it take for a horse to recover from a virus?
The general rule is to allow at least three weeks of rest, or a minimum of one week of rest for each day that the horse had a fever. Even light riding too soon increases the risk that a horse will become sick again. After your horse recovers, clean up his environment and tools you used to care for him.
What are the signs of influenza in a horse?
The symptoms of equine ‘flu’ include increase in temperature, loss of appetite, lethargy, snotty or runny nose, swollen neck glands and cough. In general, uncomplicated cases of influenza resolve within 1 – 2 weeks, although the cough may persist for several weeks after infection.
What is the current treatment for influenza?
Currently, there are three antiviral drugs recommended for treating the flu: oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), and peramivir (Rapivab®). These drugs work by interrupting the function of neuraminidase on the virus surface and preventing the release of viral particles from infected host cells.
How often should a horse be vaccinated for equine influenza?
To provide effective immunity against respiratory and neurological disease caused by EHV 1 and EHV- 4 a primary course of 2 vaccinations should be given followed by a booster vaccination every 6 months. 1st vaccination: Can be given to any horse over the age of 5 months.
What causes influenza in horses?
Equine influenza, caused by the orthomyxovirus equine influenza A type 2 H3N8 subtype, is one of the most common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of horses.
Can equine influenza spread to humans?
Vaccination reduces both clinical signs and viral shedding, although vaccinated infected horses may still shed some virus. Equine influenza does not infect humans, but the virus has spread to dogs (Chapter 13).
Is equine influenza the same as strangles?
The most common causes in the horse include equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus (EHV) – also known as rhino – and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) – better known as strangles.
Most horses should recover from viral infections over 3 to 7 days but should have 2 or more weeks off from structured exercise.
Treatment is also similar to EHV affected horses. Rest and supportive care is important. Fever control, immunostimulants, and antiviral medications are also recommended. In addition antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infection are indicated.
What to do if your horse has a virus?
If you suspect that your horse, donkey or pony has equine flu, isolate the horse immediately and contact your vet. If your horse is on a yard, make sure there are protocols in place in case one of the horses is diagnosed with flu: Isolate infected horses. Stop movements in and out of your yard.
What is the incubation period for equine influenza?
It is caused by several strains of the equine influenza virus. The disease is very infectious and spreads rapidly through groups of horses. The incubation period is 1 – 3 days.
What antibiotics treat influenza?
Antibiotics Won’t Help
When you have flu, antibiotics will not help you feel better. Antibiotics won’t help you, and their side effects could cause harm.
Can influenza heal itself?
For most healthy people, the flu is an uncomfortable but short-term illness that resolves itself as the immune system fights it off. Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days.
Can influenza be treated without medication?
Most people with flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.
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.
What are the 4 core vaccines for horses?
Veterinarians recommend nearly all horses receive the core equine vaccines: tetanus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), West Nile virus (WNV), and rabies.
Can horses be ridden after flu jab?
Can I ride my horse after a flu vaccination? The advice that we offer is that you can ride your horse, but perhaps just stick to a gentle hack for the first 24hrs after the vaccination rather than for example cross country schooling or galloping.
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