By: Muhammad Hassan

Overview of
z
respiratory
diseases of
horses
& Equine herpes
virus infection
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Respiratory diseases of hotses

▪ The common equine respiratory diseases are

▪ Strangles, equine Influenza and equine herpesviruses

▪ And other are equine adenoviruses, but these are less common
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z Most common respiratory infection
disease

▪ Equine influenza is one of the most common infectious upper

respiratory disease of a horse

▪ It is wide spread in equine population

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Causes of respiratory infections

▪ Most respiratory infections in horses are contagious

▪ So horses can contract this condition through the germs

released by the infected horses

▪ By cough and air

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Signs of respiratory diseases

▪ Discharge from the nose ( mucos, puz, or blood)

▪ Coughing, rapid breathing

▪ Difficulting breathing, shortness of breathing, shallow breathing

▪ Pain associated with breathing

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Prevention of respiratory diseases

▪ A routine vaccination by veterinarian helps keep viral respiratory

infections ( equine Influenza and equine rhinopneumonitis )

▪ Influenza and rhinopneumonitis vaccines are given twice

annually.
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Treatment of respiratory infections

▪ Treatment in cases of pneumonia can be successful and

typically includes

▪ Antibiotics

▪ Anti-inflammatories

▪ And supportive therapies

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Equine herpesvirus Infection

▪ Equine herpesviruses are DNA viruses that are found in most

horses all around the world

▪ Almost all horses have been infected with this virus by 2 years of
age and have no serious clinical effects
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Introduction

▪ It is also known as equine rihnopneumonitis virus and it is the

most commonly isolated herpesvirus from respiratory infection
z Etiology

▪ Equine herpes virus is spread via nose to nose contact,

contaminated equipment ( Water and feed buckets, tack and
shoes)

▪ And respiratory secretions.

▪ Aborted fetus and after birth can also content the virus.
z Transmission

▪ The most common way of transmission is direct horse to horse

contact

▪ The virus is shed from infected horses via the respiratory tract or
through direct or indirect contact with an infected aborted fetus
and fetal membranes.
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Pathogenesis

▪ Equine herpes is a major equine pathogen causing respiratory

diseases,

▪ Abortion and severe neurological disorders

▪ The basis of neurological disturbances is as in other organs

▪ Infection of endothelial cells, followed by vasculitis, thrombosis

and ischaemic damage of the parenchyma.
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Treatment

▪ Treatment consist of supportive care include IV fluid therapy

▪ And anti-inflammatory to reduce fever

▪ In more severe neurologic cases treatment may require

hospitalization with more intensive veterinary care.
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