Recently there have been outbreaks of
Rhino virus infection in horses. There are different types of
EHV. EHV-4 often causes upper respiratory disease in younger
horses. Most show signs such as snotty nose, coughing, fevers,
anorexia, lethargy. Most recover uneventfully, and treatment
is aimed at supportive care. However these horses continue to
be latent carriers of the virus and can shed during periods of
stress or illness. Vaccination appears to give immunity
against the upper respiratory form.
As well as causing abortions, EHV-1 can also cause
neurological disease in horses, which occurs but is much less
common. These signs relate to weakness in the hind end, fever,
in-coordination to hind limb paralysis. At this time research
has been lacking, and vaccination efficacy does not appear to cover
against the neurological form. Vaccination is thought to
lessen spread of the disease by infected horses.
The best way to protect your barn from these diseases
includes routine vaccination, isolation of horses that travel after
returning home, isolate any sick horses, or horses that have fevers.
Vaccination for the neurological form
of EHV is highly controversial. There was one limited study
showing that the modified live vaccine Rhinomune®
may provide more protection than 1 type of killed vaccine against
the spread of the disease. As with any vaccination, reactions
are possible and we have seen a slight increase of vaccination
reaction with the Rhinomune® vaccine. These reactions have
included colic, diarrhea, stiffness and low grade fevers.
However, with recent outbreaks of the neurological form, at this
time Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital is recommending the following:
