Equine Infectious Diseases Flashcards
Anthrax
Also called Splenic Fever (enlarged, dark spleen)
* reportable disease
* affects all warm-blooded animals
* bleeding from orifices
* swelling SQ tissues
Anthrax
Etiology
Caused by Bacillus Anthracis
* gram positive
* spore forming
* found in soil
* infects through contaminated feed
* spread via insects during outbreaks
Botulism
Also called Shaker Foal Syndrome
* toxins produced from ingested spores on vegetation in intestinal tract
* severity depends on amount ingested
Botulism
Etiology
Caused by Clostridium botulinum
* gram positive rod
* spore forming (anaerobic)
* found in conaminated soil, water, and feed
Botulism
Clinical Signs
Creeping paralysis
* rapid, progressive neuro disease
* respiratory (high mortality)
* pharyngeal - foals unable to swallow after nursing
Lyme Disease
Etiology
Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi
* gram negative spirochete
* transmitted via tick bite (deer / ixodid)
* needs to be attached for 24-48 hours
Potomac Horse Fever
Etiology
Caused by Neorickettsia risticii
* transmitted by freshwater insects (caddis / mayflies)
* accidental ingestion of insect by horse
* gram negative cocci
* affects WBCs (monocytes)
* replicates in GI tract
Salmonella
Etiology
Caused by various Salmonella species
* gram negative rod
* species S. typhimurium most pathogenic
* get from ingesting contaminated feed / water / feces of infected animals or contact with contaminated hands / environmental surfaces / shedding livestock
* causes watery, foul smelling diarrhea
Strangles
Also known as horse distemper
* bastard / metastatic occurs when bacteria spreads to other LN; increases fatality
Strangles
Etiology
Caused by Streptococcus equi
* gram positive coccoid
* shed by nasal and draining abscess discharge from infected
Tetanus
Etiology
Caused by Clostridium tetani
* gram positive bacillus
* found in soil
* infects via exposure to wounds, incisions, or injection sites
Tetanus
Clinical Signs
- Sawhorse appearance (rigid muscles)
- Recumbent (poor prognosis)
- Dyspnea
Thrush
Etiology
Caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum
* gram negative bacillus
Thrush
Clinical Signs
Degenerative condition of the frog
* odor
* black discharge
* lameness
EPM
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis
* reportable disease
* asymmetrical muscle atrophy
* cranial nerve abnormalities
EPM
Etiology
Caused by Sarcocystis neurona OR Neospora hughesi (parasites)
* transmitted by eating opossum feces
Piroplasmosis
- Reportable disease
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Urine red-yellow in color
Piroplasmosis
Etiology
Caused by Babesia equi OR Babesia caballi (parasites)
* transmitted via Am. dog tick (Dermacentor)
EIA
Equine Infectious Anemia
* reportable disease
* also called swamp fever
* diagnose with Coggins test
* euthanize or quarantine for life
EIA
Etiology
Caused by lentivirus (Retroviridae family)
* transmitted by blood-sucking insects
Vesicular Stomatitis
- Reportable disease
- Excessive salivation
- White areas (vesicles) in mouth, coronary band, abdomen, muzzle, prepuce
Vesicular Stomatitis
Etiology
Caused by Rhabdoviridae family
* transmitted by insects
* black / sand / house flies and mosquitoes
Equine Viral Arteritis
- Reportable disease
- Flulike symptoms, pneumonia, and abortion
Equine Viral Arteritis
Etiology
Caused by Equine arteritis virus
* transmitted by aerosol drops or infected semen
Rhinopneumonitis
- Reportable disease (only if neurologic)
- Upper respiratory tract affected
- Abortion
- Low sperm count
- Neurologic signs
Rhinopneumonitis
Etiology
Caused by equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4)
Rabies
- Reportable disease (contact state officials)
- Self mutalation most common sign
- GI symptoms / loss of bladder control
- Lameness
Rabies
Etiology
Caused by Rhabdovirus (enveloped RNA)
* transmitted by saliva / bite mounds from bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes
EEE / WEE / VEE
Eastern / Western / Venezualan Equine Encephalomyelitis
* reportable disease
* rapid, progressive, and highly fatal neurological disease
* fever
* anorexia
* ataxia / paralysis
EEE / WEE / VEE
Etiology
Caused by alphavirus
* EEE more fatal
* transmitted by mosquitoes
West Nile Virus
- Reportable disease (if neurological)
- Low-grade fever
- Low appetite / Depression
- Paralysis / Weakness
- Droopy lip
West Nile Virus
Etiology
Caused by Flaviviridae family
* transmitted by mosquitoes
Biosecurity Goals
(5)
- Prevent spread of active or potential diseases
- Work with what you have
- Know how disease is transmitted
- Know risk factors of disease
- Know who is susceptible
Chondroids
- Seen with Strangles
- Forms in the gutteral pouch (mouth)
- Horse remains infectious as long as these are present
