Parasites Flashcards
What are some ways horses can get infectious diseases?
pathogen in the environment
other animals
parasitic, bacterial, and viral
what are some ways horses can get non-infectious diseases?
environmental conditions
genetic
nutritional
what is one way to help keep disease breakouts under control?
sanitation
what should you do with new or sick horses?
isolate
what are signs of respiratory illnesses?
lethargy, nasal discharge, pus in eye, coughing, fever
equine herpesvirus types 1 and 4; nasal discharge, abortion in the 8th to 11th month or weak foal.
rhinopneumonitis
high fever, cough, nasal discharge
influenza
foal pneumonia
rhodococcus
streptococcus bacterium; young horses most susceptible; high temperature, abscesses; vaccination when epidemics occur
strangles
“lock jaw” caused by Clostridium tenant, “nerve-tissue posion”
tetanus
clostridium botulinum, “shaker foal syndrome”; adults exhibit paralysis, staggers
botulism
“sleeping sickness” fever, trouble seeing, stagger (WEE. EEE, VEE)
encephalomyelitis
(EIA) swamp fever, viral disease, fever, anemia, weight loss, edema, and death, coggins test for EIA
equine infectious anemia
symptoms develop between 3-14 days after being bitten by affected mosquito; ataxia, depression, weakness of limbs, partial paralysis and death
west Nile virus
water and feed contaminated by protozoa, muscle atrophy, ataxia, $$$
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis
eastern, western, encephalomyelitis
annual
tetanus (toxoid)
annual
antitoxin (at time of injury)
annual
5, 7, and 9 months of often in high risk areas
rhinopneumonitis (equine herpesvirus type 1 and 4)
check for epidemic areas if vaccination is needed
west Nile virus
annually or more often if put in high risk situations
influenza
what are parasites?
small organisms that live on or in a host organism and derive their food from it, can be beneficial or detrimental; must control harmful parasites
what reduces growth, performance, digestive efficiency, lowers visual appeal, damage to organs, fatal sometimes
parasite infestations
what are some symptoms of parasite infestations?
weakness, poor body condition, emaciation, “potbelly”, tucked up flanks, rough hair coat, slow growth
what are external parasites?
ticks, lice, mites, chiggers, gnats, mosquitos, flies
among the largest parasites, problem in young horses, older horses develop immunity, damage liver, heart, lungs and can black small capillaries and blood vessels, coughing and nasal secretions seen in infected foals
ascarids (roundworms)
what eggs are very resistance to environmental conditions and can live for years
ascarid eggs
54 species of large and small infest horses
control is based on life cycle
grazing with cattle and sheep helpful
strongyles
what type of strongyles is less pathogenic?
small
what type of strongyles cause arterial damage and development of small blood clots in arteries?
large
not very damaging to the horses, causes an itching sensation around the anus area so horses rub tail
pinworms
foals very susceptible, causes “foal heat scours” in young foals, disappears when foal acquires immunity (~6 months old)
threadworms
attach to the stomach wall (or remain free) responsible for “summer sores”
stomach worms
3 species of botflies affect horses
causes damage to stomach
stomach bots
infestation frequency is low in most areas
horses doesn’t usually show clinical signs
tapeworms
what are some ways to help with parasite control?
fecal removal and disposal, regular deworming, pasture rotation and management, keep fly populations to a minimum
what dewormer is very popular, kills invading larvae?
Ivermectin
what dewormer is very good except for bots and stomach worms?
benzimidazoles (fenbendazole)
what dewormer is good for bots and stomach worms?
organophosphates
what is always a threat?
resistance
