Equine Influenza Flashcards
Learn all about equine influenza
How is equine Influenza Spread?
Air borne particles that are released when an animal coughs.
The virus spreads fast, a whole yard can be infected within 1-3 days.
What does equine influenza cause? Including clinical signs.
Severe damage to Ciliated epithelium which leads to increased mucous production, inflammation and therefore decreased diameter of the airways. Clinical Signs include- Pyrexia, nasal dischagre, odema of the limbs, a dry hacking cough (Kahn 2010) and enlarged submandibular glands.
What is the incubation period for equine influenza?
1-5 days
Who is most effected by equine influenza?
Young and old (if immune suppressed) (Wood 2006)
Does the disease cause a lot of deaths?
No, it has a low mortality rate but a high morbidity rate.
How do you control equine influ. ?
Keep animals isolated that are infected as virus is shed for up to 5 days post pyrexia. Vaccinate (3 vaccines, followed by annual boosters (Jocky Club rules) )
How do you treat equine influ. ?
Rest (for 2 wks, OR every 1 day of increased temp = 1 wk of rest)
Good air hygiene and clean environment.
Bronchodilators
Clean fresh supply of water.
Where does equine infl. have a great economic concern?
Europe and America
How long does it normally take for the damage that the virus causes to be repaired?
3 weeks post abatement of clinical signs, but you can see lesions for up to 6 wks.
Due to the damage of the ciliated epithelium, what is a cause of this?
Producing of mucous, which can build up and cant be moved properly. This means the horse is subjected to more physical antigens, which can lead to secondary bacterial infections.
Increased mucous production can lead to inflammation and also reduced airway diameter broncoconstriction.
What is used in the diagnosis of equine influ. ?
Clinical signs and look to see if an explosive spread has occurred.
Swabs ro isolate virus from nasal discharge./ mucous.
BT for Ab’s, but these are normally high anyhow if have been vaccinated or previously exposed.
