Investigation of the Shedding of Selected Respiratory Pathogens in Healthy Horses Presented for Routine Dental Care.

The research investigates the frequency of common respiratory pathogens’ detection in healthy horses when undergoing routine dental care at veterinary hospitals. The observed detection frequency further supports the necessity of routine biosecurity practices by vets to reduce disease spread among horses.

Objective of the Research

• The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the routine detection rate of some airborne viruses and bacteria in healthy horses. The focus was on animals that were undergoing routine dental care at two different veterinary hospitals over a span of 12 months.

Methodology of the Research

• Nasal secretions were collected from 579 horses for this research. The secretions were tested for various equine herpesviruses (EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5), equine influenza virus (EIV), equine rhinitis A and B viruses (ERAV, ERBV), subspecies (), subspecies (), and methicillin-resistant (MRSA).
• Quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays, a routine diagnostic tool, were applied in the process for testing.

Outcome of the Research

• Through this research, it was observed that “true” respiratory pathogens like EHV-1, EHV-4, EIV, ERBV, and MRSA were found in approximately 22% of the horses, meaning in 129 out of 579 horses.
• “Commensal” respiratory pathogens (ones that naturally exist in the horses without necessarily causing disease), such as EHV-2, EHV-5, and were detected in a whopping 89% of the horses, i.e., 515 out of 579 horses.
• Interestingly, ERAV and the two subspecies investigated were not detected in any of the horses in the study.

Statistical Differences and Implications

• The study also revealed different statistical outcomes between the two veterinary hospitals in this study concerning horse breed, age, the presence or absence of nasal discharge, rectal temperature and the detection of both true and commensal respiratory pathogens.
• The data derived from this study backs up the potential risk of transmission of both types of these identified respiratory pathogens from seemingly healthy horses to susceptible ones.

Recommendations

• Thus, the study strongly encourages equine veterinarians undertaking routine dental care to follow regular biosecurity practices to lessen the odds of the spread of diseases.