Equine Respiratory Diseases Flashcards
What are causes of Bronchopneumonia associated with foals
aspiration of contaminated amniotic fluid (mares with placentitis) or meconium aspiration.
Hematogenous spread via sepsis: E.coli, Klebsiella, Pasteruella, Actinobacillus
What are causes of bronchopneumonia associated with adults
Aspiration of upper respiratory or GI flora
Long distance transport, stress, recent viral infection: Strep equi ss zooepidemicus, Pasteurella, actinobacillus
Frequently progresses to pleuropneumonia: Anaerobic bacteria: Bacteroides, Peptostreptococcus, Fusobacterium
Bronchopneumonia Clinical Signs
Anorexia, fever, cough, depression, tachypnea, dyspnea, abnormal lung sounds, nasal discharge, weight loss, pleural pain
CBC- leukocytosis, neutrophilia, hyperfibrinogenemia
How is Bronchopneumonia diagnosed?
Radiographs, US
Culture: Transtracheal wash and pleural fluid (ideal)
Treatment methods for Bronchopneumonia
Antibiotics- broad spectrum (gram positive, gram negative, anaerobic), NSAIDs
Pleuropneumonia- pleural drainage, thoracotomy
What are the causes of Rhinopneumonitis
EHV 1 and 4
How is rhinopneumonitis transmitted
via inhalation (droplet/aerosol) Transmitted in utero to foals -> severe fatal disease in neonates
Herpesvirus= latent carriers, recrudescence, shedding following stress w
What are clincial signs associated with EHV 1 and 4
Primary respiratory syndrome: usually subclinical to mild, mild fever, serous nasal discharge, depression.
Can have severe disease when secondary infection with bacteria occurs or when foals are infected at birth
Also causes abortions and neurologic disease
How is EHV 1 and 4 diagnosed?
PCR: nasal swabs, blood and tissues
Paired sera confirms infection has occurred
How is EHV 1 and 4 treated?
No specific treatment, respiratory disease typically self-limiting
Monitor for secondary bacterial infections
What are recommended prevention methods for EHV 1 and 4
Prevent introduction of new virus strains: quarantine or separate housing for horses that go to shows, races, fairs, trail rides, etc.
Vaccination using the “Rhino/flu” vaccine: Recommended in all horses. Routinely used in young horses and those with frequent exposure to other horses
What causes Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis?
Equine herpesvirus 5
What age horse is commonly affected by EMPF?
Middle to older age horses
What clinical signs are associated with EMPF
Chronic progressive respiratory signs
Tachypnea, increased respiratory effort, dyspnea, intermittent fever and cough, weight loss
How is EMPF diagnosed?
Failure to respond to bronchodilators, antimicrobial therapy
Ultrasound- nodular interstitial pattern
PCR- BAL or lung biopsy
How is EMPF treated
Generally there is a poor response to treatment: Corticosteroids, Valcyclovir/Acyclovir, Doxycycline
How is Rhinitis (ERAV/ERBV) transmitted?
Respiratory secretions. Infection results in viremia with long-term fecal and urinary shedding.
What is the difference between ERAV and ERBV?
ERAV: systemic disease: fever, nasal discharge, coughing, pharyngitis and swelling of th elymph nodes in the head and neck.
ERBV: Usually a mild infection: pharyngitis, respiratory signs and depressed appetite.
How is Equine Rhinitis diagnosed?
PCR: nasal swabs, TTW, urine. Frequently part of respiratory disease panels.
Virus isolation: nasal swabs
Treatments associated with Equine Rhinitis
No specific treatment, respiratory disease typically self-limiting
Monitor for secondary bacterial infections
How can Rhinitis be controlled and prevented?
Prevent introduction of new virus strains: quarantine or separate housing for horses that go to shows, races, fairs, trail rides etc.
Vaccination: Single conditionally licensed vaccine used for ERAV only. Not included as an AAEP recommended vaccine