Disease prevention in horses encompasses strategies and practices aimed at minimizing the occurrence and spread of infectious and non-infectious diseases within equine populations. These practices include vaccination programs, biosecurity measures, and regular health monitoring. Vaccination helps to stimulate the horse's immune system to protect against specific pathogens, while biosecurity measures, such as quarantine and sanitation, reduce the risk of disease transmission. Regular health monitoring, including physical examinations and diagnostic testing, aids in early detection and management of potential health issues. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various methods and their effectiveness in preventing diseases in horses, as well as the development and implementation of prevention programs in different equine settings.
Gowen RR, Lengel JG.The control of drug use in performance horses and the policing of rules and regulations to prevent unauthorized drug use are important tasks for agencies overseeing equestrian events. This article describes the roles of the American Horse Shows Association, the Federation Equestre Internationale, and the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc, in the policing of drug use in horses competing in events under their control.
Vodkin MH, McLaughlin GL, Day JF, Shope RE, Novak RJ.Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) has been a low-frequency, but serious human and veterinary health problem. Increased frequency of this mosquito-borne virus is anticipated as wetlands are maintained and re-established. Control of EEEV has depended on mosquito abatement in response to increasing frequency of EEEV in the environment. A coupled reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction assay was designed to rapidly, sensitively, and specifically detect EEEV RNA. The assay successfully detected the viral RNA in a single-blind study of a set of field samples composed of either po...
O'Rielly JL.The IgG concentration of plasma from 13 mares was measured by radial immunodiffusion when fresh and after storage at -4 degrees C and thawing by 3 methods. There was no significant (P > 0.05) reduction in the IgG concentration when plasma was thawed over 6 hours at 22 degrees C (1352.9 +/- 101.6 mg/dL) (mean +/- SEM) compared with the fresh sample (1369.5 +/- 88.1 mg/dL). In contrast, there was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the IgG concentration of plasma that was rapidly thawed at 57 degrees C over 50 minutes (1142.9 +/- 66.2 mg/dL), or placed in a microwave oven for 20 to 25 minutes ...
The Horserace Betting Levy Board formulates codes of practice for the control of contagious equine metritis and other equine bacterial venereal diseases, and equine viral arteritis and equid herpesvirus 1. This year's codes have just been published and the code of practice for EVA, reproduced below, has been substantially amended following the recent outbreak in the UK. The code is intended for use by veterinary surgeons and breeders of thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred horses. The HBLB states that its recommendations represent the minimum measures necessary to monitor for the presence of equi...
Art T, Lekeux P.This study was conducted in order to assess whether exercise- and training-induced cardio-respiratory adjustments are modified during the 10-day period which follows a booster vaccination with an oily adjuvanted inactivated vaccine against influenza and equine herpesvirus-1 (Equiffa). Nine healthy vaccinated thoroughbred horses were used. Six were revaccinated and three were kept as control. All the horses completed a standardised exercise test (SET) that was repeated 4 times, i.e. 10 (SET1) and 2 (SET2) days before revaccination, and 2 (SET3) and 10 (SET4) days after revaccination. During the...
Sviatchenko VA, Agapov EV, Urmanov IKh, Serpinskiĭ OI, Frolov IV, Kolykhalov AA, Ryzhikov AB, Netesov SV.A recombinant strain of vaccinia virus (VR26) containing a DNA-copy of the subgenomic 26S RNA of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEE) inserted into the coding region of thymidine kinase (TK) gene was produced. This subgenomic RNA contained the genes for all structural proteins of the VEE virus, the strain Trinidad donkey (TRD). VR26 effectively expressed VEE virus glycoproteins on the membranes of the infected cells. Blood sera of VR26-immunized animals were found to contain VEE virus-specific antibodies. VR26-immunized mice and rabbits showed a high level of resistance to subcutane...
Traub-Dargatz JL, Jones RL.A review of the literature describing clostridia-associated enterocolitis is presented. The bacteria, their toxins, and possible factors that interact to contribute to the pathogenesis of enterocolitis are described. Clinical signs associated with clostridia-associated enterocolitis, methods of diagnosis, treatments, and preventive strategies are discussed.
Dargatz DA, Salman MD.Epidemiology is a tool much like any other diagnostic tool that the practitioner uses as an aid in the complete physical examination of the group of animals. It can be used to generate a specific differential diagnosis list. Epidemiology is especially useful to design a disease control and prevention program by helping to elucidate the key determinants of disease occurrence.
Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, van Duijkeren E.Salmonellosis is a worldwide problem of both men and animals. Equine salmonellosis is an increasing problem and a review of the recent knowledge is given. Etiology, symptomatology, diagnostic procedures, therapy and prevention are discussed.
Green SL.With the continued increase in the number of wildlife rabies cases reported across the United States and Canada, this disease will remain a threat to the horse as the potential for exposure to infected wildlife and other domestic animals is likely to also increase. Because there are no rapid, definitive antemortem diagnostic tests, the tentative diagnosis is based upon the variable and sometimes nonspecific clinical signs. Although the CSF analysis may be helpful in some cases, it may not be abnormal. Nor is collection of the specimen always practical in the field situation. The FAT on neural ...
Dwyer RM.Rotavirus poses a challenge each foaling season to farm managers and veterinarians in intensive horse breeding areas throughout the world. By understanding the epidemiology of the disease as well as characteristics of the virus, veterinarians can make sound recommendations on prevention and control of outbreaks. Even when effective prophylactic products are developed, farm management practices, including quarantine, disinfection, and hygiene, will always need to be in force to prevent any contagious disease outbreak.
Wilson WD.Influenza continues to be one of the most important diseases of horses despite the availability and widespread use of equine influenza vaccines for almost 30 years. In recent years, infection with the influenza A/equine/2 subtype has become endemic in the equine populations of North America, Europe, and Scandinavia. Continued antigenic drift of field virus has compromised the efficacy of vaccines, most of which contain antigens prepared from influenza viruses isolated more than 10 years ago. This article reviews the history, virology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, immunology, clinical presentati...
Steiner N, Lindner A.By means of a survey, the reproductive rate of mares and the foal losses in ten Thoroughbred, Saddlebred and Pony studs in Germany, mainly from North-Rhine-Westfalia, were collected and evaluated. Data for the survey were recorded for 1985-1990. The study also examined the hygienic management in the surveyed studs, and the morbidity rate of suckling foals was obtained for 1990. In addition to the survey questionnaire each stud was visited once. Two studs of each horse group were visited several times every week from March to August in order to evaluate as exactly as possible the husbandry and ...
House JA.AHS is a noncontagious vector-borne disease of Equidae caused by Orbiviruses. Species susceptibility in decreasing order is horses, mules, donkeys, and zebras. The main vectors of AHS are culicoides. The disease is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, but epizootics have occurred outside of this area on several occasions. The most recent outbreaks outside of the endemic area were in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal between 1987 and 1990. AHS causes mortality up to 95% and is classically divided into four clinical forms: the pulmonary, cardiac, mixed, and horse fever forms. Pathologic changes are subcuta...
House JA.AHS is a noncontagious vector-borne disease of Equidae caused by Orbiviruses. Species susceptibility in decreasing order is horses, mules, donkeys, and zebras. The main vectors of AHS are culicoides. The disease is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, but epizootics have occurred outside of this area on several occasions. The most recent outbreaks outside of the endemic area were in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal between 1987 and 1990. AHS causes mortality up to 95% and is classically divided into four clinical forms: the pulmonary, cardiac, mixed, and horse fever forms. Pathologic changes are subcuta...
Spier SJ.Salmonellosis is the most common infectious cause of diarrhea or colitis in horses. It can be associated with high fatality rates in patients with compromised host defenses. The increasing incidence of infection and antimicrobial resistance present a challenge for the practicing veterinarians. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of salmonellosis are reviewed. Diagnosis, treatment, and control of disease are discussed.
Philpott M.This review summarizes the major infectious diseases of the three major agricultural species (cattle, sheep and pigs) and horses, and presents the evidence for and against the possibility of infectious agents being transmitted between animals via the venereal route or by the use of semen or early embryos in commercial artificial insemination (AI) or embryo transfer (ET). Cattle feature most prominently in the widespread distribution of frozen semen, and national and international organizations have set out guidelines to work towards disease-free bull studs with semen free from potential pathog...
Holyoak GR, Little TV, McCollam WH, Timoney PJ.The relationship between stage of reproductive tract maturity and susceptibility to the experimental establishment of persistent infection with equine arteritis virus (EAV) was investigated in 21 prepubertal and 15 peripubertal colts. Five of six prepubertal colts inoculated intranasally remained infected in the reproductive tract from post-challenge day 28 to 93 and two of six from post-challenge day 120 to 180. No virus was detected in five of these animals killed on post-challenge day 210. Each of two peripubertal colts remained infected in the reproductive tract at post-challenge day 60 an...
Forbes AB.Ivermectin and abamectin are two members of the group of parasiticides known as the avermectins; ivermectin was first registered as an injectable treatment for cattle in 1981. Since then, abamectin has been registered for cattle and ivermectin for horses. The relative popularity of the avermectins amongst farmers and veterinarians can be attributed to their spectrum of activity, convenience, wide margin of safety and the improved health and performance of stock following their use. Patterns of use in grazing animals apply equally to the avermectins as to other antiparasitics, particularly anth...
Thein P, Essich G.An investigation was carried out upon occurrence and course of infectious and non infectious diseases as well as the mortality in foals born and raised at the State Stud Marbach/Lauter between 1982 and 1991. The foals have been investigated from birth to weaning, they consisted of 177 Thoroughbred Arabians and 285 German Warmblood foals (total 462 foals). The diseases were divided into pre-, peri- and postnatal according to their known or assumed cause and onset. There was a preponderance of prenatal diseases (11.25%) whereas the perinatal rate was 1.30% and the postnatal rate of diseases was ...
Herd RP.The need for improved parasite control strategies to conserve anthelmintic efficacy and to avoid drug-related problems are addressed. Recent surveys have revealed a trend for sole dependence on ivermectin by livestock owners in the USA, with little regard for epidemiologic-based strategies, or the annual rotation of unrelated anthelmintic groups. Innovative parasite control strategies for cattle, sheep, and horses in northern USA are presented. The importance of closer monitoring and more rational use of anthelmintics is stressed.
McBeath DG, Best JM, Preston NK, Duncan JL.Examination of faecal egg counts in horses and ponies has shown that after treatment with fenbendazole at dose levels of 7.5, 45 and 60 mg/kg, faeces remained free from strongyle eggs for periods of 6 to 18 weeks. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to routine anthelmintic treatment of horses. In particular, the activity of fenbendazole against mucosal stages of strongyle parasites allows for treatment to be recommended at less frequent intervals than when using other anthelmintics.
Jeffcott LB, Rossdale PD.The current knowledge of the clinical signs, epidemiology and pathogenesis of abortion due to the equid herpesvirus (EHV 1) is reviewed. The relationship between the respiratory and abortigenic forms of the disease is discussed as well as the low incidence of virus abortion in the UK compared to some other parts of the world. Some practical aspects of the disease as they affect stud management are considered including methods of diagnosis, prophylaxis and the necessary action to be taken to prevent spread of infection.
Bechthold I.Cauterization in horses is a painful method to enable the identification of horses. This method is not allowed (section 17 Nr. 2b Tierschutzgesetz, FRG), because recent findings have found a painless method to identify horses.