Topics in Equine And Large Animal Practice

1. Topics in Equine And Large Animal Practice Equine Preventive Care- Vaccinations Laurie Gallatin DVM, DACVIM Laurie.gallatin@pennfoster.edu

2. Preventive Medicine Programs • Should include: • Vaccinations • Variable depending on region of country and type of operation • Deworming • Hoof Care • Dental Care • Proper Nutrition

3. Infectious Typically caused by another organism Bacteria Virus Fungus Prion Other * NOT ALL INFECTIOUS DZ ARE CONTAGIOUS, BUT.. Contagious Communicable/transmissible Direct Indirect Fomite Aerosolization other ..ALL CONTAGIOUS DZ ARE INFECTIOUS! Infectious vs Contagious

4. AAEP Vaccination Guidelines available at www.aaep.org

5. F/R EWT Flu- Avert PHF Strangles Pinnacle IN WNV Rabies Pneumobort-K+1b Rotavirus Bot-tox EVA Vaccinations Available

6. Influenza (Flu) • MOST economically important contagious respiratory disease of the horse! • EXTREMELY RAPID SPREAD • Predisposing factors are young horses, crowded conditions, frequent transport • Transmission is direct via aerosolization

7. Influenza • Clinical Signs: • Fever • Severe cough • Nasal discharge • Increased lung sounds • Horses will need to be rested at least 3 weeks post infection • Treatment: NSAIDS, AB’s, rest • IN vaccine= better, faster immunity

8. Rhinopneumonitis (Herpes) • Can establish latent infections • 4 types: • EHV-1 = Abortion, Respiratory, Neurologic • EHV-2 = Respiratory • EHV-3 = Coital Exanthema • EHV-4 = Respiratory, Neurologic • Transmission by nasal secretions, fomites, aerosol • Respiratory signs similar to influenza • IN vaccine= better, faster immunity

9. Rhino • Pneumobort K +1B vaccine given to mares during the 5,7,9 months of gestation to help prevent abortion • No vaccine will protect against the neurologic form • Respiratory outbreak with abortions and neuro horses on same farm think Rhino!

10. EncephalomyelitisEEE, WEE, VEE • Disease of birds, humans, and horses • EEE most fatal to horses and humans • Transmitted by mosquitoes • Causes a meningitis with neurologic signs: • Hyperexcitability • Fever • Head pressing • Circling • Blindness

11. EEE, WEE, VEE • Diagnosis by CSF or paired serum titers • Treatment is supportive • REPORTABLE DISEASE!

12. Tetanus • Clostridium tetani • Equine is the MOST susceptible species • Commonly enters through puncture wounds, subsolar abcesses, surgical sites, etc. • Clinical signs are progressive

13. Tetanus • Clinical signs: • Spasticity of muscles • Stiff gait • Extensor rigidity (sawhorse stance) • “alert” facial expression • Recumbency • Death • Treatment: prevent further absorption of toxin, neutralize unbound toxin, supportive care

14. Potomac Horse FeverEquine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis • Neorickettsia risticii • Transmission= unproven, believed involve the snail life-cycle • Most cases occur July-September • More common around bodies of water • Clinical signs include fever, diarrhea, laminitis • Treatment is Oxytetracycline

15. Strangles • Streptococcus Equi var Equi • HIGHLY contagious • Transmission= direct contact, fomites, etc. High risk associated with young horses, overcrowding, stress, etc. • Clinical signs: fever, purulent nasal discharge, swelling/abcessation of lymph nodes on head/neck

16. Strangles • Treatment: supportive care, facilitate drainage of abcesses, DO NOT routinely use antibiotics!!!! • IN vaccine (Pinnacle) confers better, faster immunity. Special instructions regarding its use. Must NOT be used at the same time as other IM vaccinations.

17. West Nile Virus • Arbovirus • Transmitted by mosquitoes • Mainly a disease of birds, humans, horses • Clinical signs: variable, neurologic deficits, dog-sitting, recumbancy, depression • Confirm diagnosis with blood sample • Treatment is supportive, decrease CNS inflammation

18. Rabies • All warm-blooded animals susceptible • Rhabdovirus • Penetrates bite wound and travels to CNS at 8-20mm per day • Clinical signs in the equine: most common complaint is fever and hindlimb lameness with progression to recumbancy. Mentation remains normal. Mean survival time is 4 days

19. Rabies • Diagnosis: IFA staining brain tissue • Wear gloves and exhibit extreme caution when working with suspect cases • No cure, prevention is vaccination annually

20. Rotavirus • Diarrhetic disease of foals age 2 days to 6 months of age • Diagnosis: ELISA of the feces • Treatment: supportive, fluids • Vaccine available for pregnant mares to be given 9, 10,11 months of gestation

21. Botulism • Clostridium botulinum • Toxicoinfectious botulism (Shaker Foal Syndrome) • The organism colonizes ulcers in the GI tract of foals • Horses are the MOST sensitive species • Clinical signs: flaccid paralysis, dysphagia, etc.

22. Botulism • Treatment: supportive, antitoxin, penicillin • Poor prognosis • Vaccine available for pregnant mares near the end of gestation to protect the foals

23. Equine Viral ArteritisEVA • Causes vasculitis leading to limb edema, pulmonary edema, etc. Also causes abortions in mares • Abortions are usually complicated by retained placentas and metritis and may impair future fertility • Transmission: aerosol or venereally

24. EVA • All stallions being exported must be EVA negative • Vaccination will cause seroconversion • Any mares being bred to + stallions should be vaccinated, but must be vaccinated while not in foal • This means if you are breeding on foal heat you only have 5-10 days each year to vaccinate!

25. Vaccination Programs • The Bare minimum! • Training Stables • Boarding Stables • Breeding Farms • Pregnant Mares • Foals • Backyard and Ranch Horses

26. All Horses Should Receive • Tetanus • Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis • Rabies • West Nile Virus

27. Training Stables • Primarily adult and yearling horses • Lots of traffic • Stress • High risk of contagious respiratory diseases

28. Protocol for Training Stables • F/R every 2-3 months • EWT/ WNV annually • Rabies annually • Strangles (may use Pinnacle)

29. Boarding Stables • Horses of all ages may be present • Stable should work with veterinarian to provide a consistent preventive medicine program • Areas where contagious diseases may be prevelant

30. Protocol for Boarding Stables • Rabies • F/R EWT • Strangles • WNV

31. Breeding Farms • High traffic areas with high numbers of horses • Multiple age groups available • All adult horses should receive F/R EWT WNV, Rabies

32. Protocol for Broodmares • Pneumobort K + 1B at 5,7,9 months gestation • +/- Rotavirus, Bot-tox, EVA • 1 month prior to foaling should receive: • F/R EWT WNV • Rabies

33. Protocol for Stallions • F/R EWT • Rabies • WNV • +/- PHF, strangles • If vaccinating for EVA must obtain serum titer

34. Foals

35. Protocol for Foals- 3 series rule • Usually begin vaccines at 4 mos of age unless the mare was unvaccinated or vaccine history is unknown • Rabies at 6 and 12 months • IN strangles at 6-9 months

36. Maternal Antibodies X Foal’s Age

37. Backyard/ Ranch Horses

38. Backyard and Ranch Horses • Besides the basics, depends on level of protection the owner wishes to give • In a “closed” herd vaccinations for the contagious respiratory diseases may not be needed • “Regional” vaccines

39. Conclusion • Work with a veterinarian to develop the appropriate vaccination protocol for each situation • Prevention is key