Equine Influenza

What Every Horse Owner Needs To Know

Owning a horse is a beautiful and often transcending experience. If you’re fortunate enough to have a hooved pal of your own, you likely already know how special that bond with a horse can be. Of course, horse ownership isn’t all whickers and majestic moments. Horses may be big and strong, but they are also very, very vulnerable to illness and injury. One of the many things you will want to be on the lookout for is equine influenza or, to put it in less technical terms, horse flu. A local Lake Echo, NS equine veterinarian goes over some of the basic information on equine influenza below.

What Is Equine Influenza?

Like human flu, equine influenza is an extremely contagious respiratory disease. It affects horses and other equines, such as donkeys and mules. It can also affect other animals, such as dogs. The disease is the result of two different influenza viruses. These two viruses, H7N7 and H3N8, are different from the ones that cause human and bird flu, though they are related.

There are several different subtypes of Influenza A, which can occasionally become zoonotic, meaning they can move from one species to another. If you were curious about the naming, the H stands for hemagglutinin and the N stands for neuraminidase. Both are types of proteins that can be found on the virus’ surface. There are 18 types of H subtypes and 11 N ones: together, there are currently 198 possible combinations of the two. Different strains can trade genetic information. This is the case in many of the more serious flus you may have heard of, such as swine flu and bird flu.

When Did Equine Influenza Start?

Equine influenza is nothing new. Outbreaks have been recorded throughout history. In fact, when horses served as our main form of transportation, EI outbreaks had a devastating effect on the economy. Today’s outbreaks mostly affect the horse world, but they can still be quite crippling.

How Does Equine Flu Spread?

Equine influenza is extremely contagious. The flu can be spread through direct contact, but also indirectly. Unfortunately, horses can be contagious before they show any symptoms.

Here are a few of the common ways that the disease is spread:

• Direct contact with infected animals
• Transmission via clothing
• Brushes
• Buckets
• Tack

It’s worth noting that EI outbreaks are more common in areas where there are many horses in close vicinity, such as shows, races, auctions, etc. Outbreaks often spread fairly rapidly, particularly during show seasons. The more crowded an area is, the higher the risk. Horses are also at higher risk during transport, especially if they are sharing a trailer or using a trailer that was recently occupied by an infected horse.

A few key points on transmission: 

• Airborne droplets from coughing horses can spread the virus up to 150 feet. 
• A single infected horse can spread the flu to an entire barn.
• Horses shed the virus for up to two weeks after being infected. 
• Humans can also spread equine flu through their hands, clothing, or by using contaminated brushes or tack.
• Many horses are immune to the virus themselves, but can still spread it. That means that a horse may appear perfectly healthy, but could still contaminate all of his herd buddies and stable mates. 
• One thing that is particularly concerning about equine flu is the speed of its spread. It typically only takes one to five days for the virus to incubate. That speed allows for rapid spread. That can be particularly dangerous at events, such as shows and races.
• Transmission rates tend to spike in winter months. 

What Are The Clinical Signs Of Equine Influenza?

Part of being a great horse owner is making sure to always keep a very close eye out for any signs of sickness or injury. It’s important to know what the clinical signs of equine flu are. Watery nasal discharge is one of the main ones. Others include cough, lethargy, loss of appetite, and weakness. Your horse may also have enlarged lymph nodes.

Is There A Vaccine For Equine Influenza? 

Fortunately, there are vaccines available. Those vaccines are your main weapon in the fight against equine flu. Your vet will be able to give you specific advice regarding the ideal vaccination and booster schedule. This will vary a bit. If your horse travels and/or shows frequently, he may need boosters every six months. A pregnant mare will need to be vaccinated before foaling.

How Is Equine Influenza Treated? 

Horses that are healthy and do not have complications can usually be treated with supportive care. Rest is very important. The standard recommendation is to give Silver one day off for every day that he is running a fever. 

As with humans, equine flu affects some horses more severely than others. If your horse has a fever over 104F (40C) your equestrian vet may recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) or, in some cases, antibiotics. As always, check with your horse vet before administering any type of medication. 

What Is The Prognosis For Horses With Equine Influenza?

Most horses recover in about two to three weeks. However, while it is rare, there are cases where the equine flu does prove fatal. It’s also important to understand that some horses will be very vulnerable to secondary infections as they are recovering. In general, just keep in mind that each horse’s recovery time may vary a bit. Horses that were severely affected may need up to 6 months to fully recuperate. Take it easy when returning your horse to his regular riding/working schedule.  Ask your equestrian vet for specific advice.

How Do I Protect My Horse From Equine Flu? 

Preventing equine influenza isn’t an exact science. It’s also difficult to guard against with horses who are in contact with many different horses, either directly or through their stablemates. However, there are definitely steps you can take to reduce the risk. 

• Horses should be quarantined for a set tim5 after being purchased or moved to a new barn. 
• Be thorough with cleaning protocols. That of course applies to stalls, but also to things like tack and brushes. 
• Do not share your horse’s gear with his stable mates. (Tip for boarders: try using patterned duct tape to mark your belongings and keep them from getting mixed up with other horses.)
• Be extra careful during outbreaks and at events, such as shows.
• Always wash your hands before and after handling or grooming your horse.
• Keep a close eye out for the warning signs listed above. Contact your equine vet right away if you notice any of them, or anything else that seems off. 

Your Lake Echo, NS horse vet will be able to give you more specific information and advice based on your horse’s age, health, activity levels, and risks. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: that’s what we’re here for! 

Make An Appointment With Our Lake Echo, NS Equine Veterinarians 

Are you looking for a great equestrian vet in the Lake Echo, NS  area? Please do not hesitate to contact us. As your Lake Echo, NS horse vet, we are dedicated to offering top-notch horse veterinary care.