Equine Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Equine Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1) - Essay Example Respiratory symptoms are the most common manifestation in young horses but the outbreaks reported in many areas are usually due to the neurologic form. Frequent outbreaks of the respiratory form occur in young foals in areas where concentrated populations exist. The disease is highly contagious and spreads by the aerosol route through the inhalation of virus laden respiratory secretions. Horses under three years of age are particularly susceptible and the virus quickly spreads and multiplies in the respiratory epithelium. 2-8days post exposure, symptoms of depression; inappetance, nasal discharge and fever are manifested (www.oie.int). Laboratory examination reveals neutropenia and lymphopenia with serous nasal discharge, pharyngitis, malaise, cough and inflammation of lymph nodes. Foals suffering from EHV1 show diphasic fever patterns (merckvetmanual.com). If complications of secondary bacterial infection don’t occur, the disease is usually followed by complete recovery after 1-2 weeks but causes substantial distress to animals which affect their training and racing schedules. Abortions occur in infected pregnant mares 2-12 weeks after initial exposure to the virus. This usually happens between the 7-11th month of gestation (merckvetmanual.com). Aborted fetuses appear fresh with minimal autolysis unlike abortions with EVA (Equine Viral Arteritis). There is no damage to the reproductive tract of the mares and they usually recoup to attain normal conception ability after recovery. Outbreaks with neurological symptoms result in symptoms which may range from mild incoordination to posterior paralysis with the animals assuming recumbent positions. There is a loss of bladder control and tail function. Paralysis in its severest form can result in quadriplegia with eventual death. It is difficult to make distinction from clinical symptoms between EHV1, Equine Influenza and EVA. Virus isolation from nasopharyngeal swabs,