Equine Influenza Virus

Question 1

What is Equine Influenza Virus?

Answer 1

An acute, highly contagious, febrile respiratory disease.

Question 2

What type of virus is EIV?

Answer 2

Orthomyxovirus A/Equi I and A/Equi II

Question 3

EIA is __________ in many countries.

Answer 3

Endemic

Question 4

What does endemic mean?

Answer 4

That is disease or condition is regularly found among particular people or in a certain area.

Question 5

How is EIV transmitted?

Answer 5

Through contact with respiratory secretions

Question 6

What factors predispose a horse to the spread of infection?

Answer 6

• Immunological status
• **Intermingling of horses - close contact with other
  horses
• Age of a horse
• Health status? (Preexisting disease increasing risk)

Question 7

What age group is most susceptible to infection?

Answer 7

Horses 1 to 5 years old

Question 8

Clinical findings vary from _______ _________ infection to _______ ________ and is rarely _______.

Answer 8

Mild inapparent; severe disease; fatal

Question 9

What is the incubation period for EIV?

Answer 9

1 to 3 days

Question 10

What are the clinical signs of acute viral disease?

Answer 10

• Abrupt onset of fever and coughing
• High fever
• A dry, harsh, non-productive cough
• Nasal discharge
• Depression, anorexia, and weakness

Question 11

Initially the nasal discharge seen with EIV is _____ and ______ but later on can become _______ and ________ with the presence of ____________ __________ infection.

Answer 11

Scant and serous; profuse and Mucopurulent; superimposed streptococcal.

Question 12

What is the normal temperature range for horses?

Answer 12

99.5F to 101.5F

Question 13

What is the drug of choice to treat fever in EIV infected horse?

Answer 13

Phenylbutazone

Question 14

Clinical signs usually last less than _____

Answer 14

3 days

Question 15

The cough develops _____ in the course and may persist for up to ______

Answer 15

3 weeks

Question 16

A _______ cough that lasts longer may be due to damaged _________ _________.

Answer 16

Residual; respiratory epithelium

Question 17

Mildly affected horses make a full uneventful recovery in __ to __ weeks.

Answer 17

2 to 3 weeks

Question 18

Severely affected horses may ________ for up to _______

Answer 18

convalesce; 6 months

Question 19

Respiratory epithelium and cilia take approximately ______ to regenerate

Answer 19

21 days

Question 20

While the respiratory epithelium and cilia are regenerating horses are more susceptible to _______ _______.

Answer 20

Secondary complications

Question 21

What are some examples of secondary complications?

Answer 21

• Pneumonia
• Chronic bronchitis
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Question 22

What is another name for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Answer 22

Heaves.

Question 23

COPD causes a problem with ______ ________ that can cause you to hear _______ (high pitch sound in the lungs)

Answer 23

Small airways; wheezing

Question 24

The risks of complications are minimized by what?

Answer 24

1) restricting exercise
2) controlling dust
3) providing superior ventilation
4) practicing good stable hygiene

Question 25

What are the clinical signs associated with secondary bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract (pneumonia)?

Answer 25

1) fever lasting longer than 2 to 3 days 2) mucopurulent nasal discharge 3) productive cough 4) lung crackles

Question 26

How is EIV diagnosed?

Answer 26

Observation of rapidly spreading respiratory disease with rapid onset of high fever, weakness, depression, and widespread coughing

Question 27

How can a definitive confirmation of the diagnosis be obtained?

Answer 27

1) Virus isolation* 2) Influenzan A antigen detection* 3) Paired sera

Question 28

What are the clinical specimens of choice for virus isolation and antigen detection?

Answer 28

Nasal swabs

Question 29

_____ _______ ___ test kits are used to antigen test horses.

Answer 29

Human influenza A

Question 30

The human influenza A tests provide __________ results.

Answer 30

Immediate

Question 31

What is the vaccination protocol for adult horses?

Answer 31

- Initially --> two vaccinations 4 weeks apart - Followed by a booster 6 months later - Thereafter --> annual boosters for low risk horses (sedentary) - Boosters every 6 months for at risk adult horses (optimally every 4 months)

Question 32

What are the vaccination guidelines for foals?

Answer 32

- Initially vaccinated with a single MLV intranasal vaccine or - a series of three inactivated (killed) vaccines beginning at six months of age with boosters given in 3 to 6 weeks and again between 10 and 12 mo. of age

Question 33

What are the vaccination guidelines for broodmares?

Answer 33

- Should be given inactivated vaccine 4 to 6 wk before foaling - Isolation of new additions for two weeks - Minimize contact with other horses

Question 34

What is the treatment protocol for horses that do not develop complications?

Answer 34

Rest and supportive care

Question 35

Strict rest is recommended for at least ______

Answer 35

3 weeks

Question 36

If the fever is >104*F then _____ (class of drug) is recommended.

Answer 36

NSAIDs

Question 37

__________ is given if the fever persists more than 3 to 4 days or if purulent nasal discharge is necessary or if there is pneumonia.

Answer 37

Antibiotics

Question 38

What is the name of the NSAID used for treatment of horses that is good for fever, pain, and inflammation?

Answer 38

Phenylbutazone/ "Bute"

Question 39

Drugs that reduce fever are called

Answer 39

antipyretics

Question 40

Drugs that treat pain are called

Answer 40

Analgesics

Question 41

Drugs that reduce inflammation are called

Answer 41

Antiinflammatory drugs

Question 42

What does NSAID stand for?

Answer 42

Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs

Question 43

Treatment is the same for respiratory infections whether caused by EIV or _____

Answer 43

Equine herpes virus