What is it?
Equine infectious anaemia is a viral infection which affects
horses worldwide, it also affects donkeys and mules. It is a notifiable disease which means that
if it is suspected the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) must be informed
immediately! This disease only affects
horses and the last outbreak in Great Britain was in 2012 seen in Devon and
Cornwall. It is also known as Swamp Fever or Horse Malaria.
Signs
Some horses show no signs of the disease. There is an incubation period of 7 - 45 days (sometimes
longer). There are 3 forms, the acute,
sub acute and the chronic form. The sub acute
seems to be the most common form. Sadly
the acute form is usually fatal.
Acute:
The symptoms suddenly appear . May be the first episode or could occur after
a chronic or sub acute episode.
- High fever
- Depression
- Increased heart rate
- Increased respiratory rate
- Bleeding
- Loss of co-ordination
- Poor performance
- Rapid weight loss
- Jaundice
- Anaemia
- Weakness
- Swelling of lower abdomen and legs
- Death
Sub -acute:
- Similar signs as the acute form but less severe
- Death rarely occurs
Chronic:
- Fever
- Depression
- Low number of blood platelets
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Wobbly
- Muscle tremor
- Yellow and inflamed mucous membranes
- Fluid swelling under belly and in legs
- Anaemia develops later
- Poor performance
- Exhaustion
- Death may occur
This disease will reoccur.
The time between episodes can vary from weeks to months and some
episodes can be sub acute, chronic and
so on ... Horses that do recover remain
carriers for the rest of their lives. In
the UK this means the horse will have to be put down anyway.
Causes
Virus is transmitted by biting insects eg: horse flies or
midges or by the use of non-sterile needles and blood contaminated surgical
instruments. The virus is found primarily in the blood, however, all tissues
and body fluids are potentially infectious.
Diagnosis
Blood test called the Coggins test.
Treatment
- No specific treatment
- Rest
- High protein feed
- Antibiotics for any secondary infection
Prevention
Biosecurity and yard hygiene can help prevent the spread of
this disease. Any suspected cases in the
UK MUST be reported to the APHA - and will be controlled in line with
contingency plans for exotic notifiable diseases.
Have you seen Wednesday's video 'What you need for looking after a pony' on my You Tube channel. Horse Life and Love. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.
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Until next time!
Jo
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