Typical Fatal Horse Diseases

Like humans, horses contract diseases that can be very serious and even fatal. The following diseases have a variety of causes and present with different symptoms, but all can be deadly. Horses should have regular visits to the vet to ensure that they are healthy and disease-free. Every horse owner should be aware of these diseases and know how to spot their symptoms.

  1. Encephalitis

    • Encephalitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the lining around a horse's brain. There are three main types that affect horses: Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), Western equine encephalitis (WEE) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE). The Eastern type is the most deadly, whereas the Western is the least deadly. The disease is spread by mosquitoes. The first symptoms in a horse are high fever, then brain inflammation, loss of coordination, lethargy, paralysis and finally death. Immediate, intensive treatment is the only way to treat the disease.

    Equine Infectious Anemia

    • This disease is very dangerous to horses because it progresses slowly and leads to chronic, often fatal problems. It is extremely contagious. The disease, spread by horseflies and biting insects, is also called "mountain fever" or "swamp fever." The symptoms are extreme weight loss, fever, and anemia. The virus is actually related to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS in humans, and is detected by anti-EIA virus (EIAV) antibodies via the AGID test. There is no vaccine or treatment for the disease.

    Botulism

    • Botulism is caused by an anaerobic bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Horses are especially susceptible to it, which appears most often in moist hay and silage that has decayed. The disease usually affects young foals and can cause death within one to three days. Equine antitoxin is the only treatment available, although once the disease has gained a foothold it cannot reverse the paralysis.

    Tetanus

    • Tetanus is caused by another anaerobic bacterium closely related to botulism. Also called lockjaw, it is the same disease that affects humans. It enters the body through a wound, improper surgical procedure or through the umbilical cord if it affects a foal. Labored breathing, stiffened joints, erect tail and ears and flared nostrils are some of the symptoms. The horse eventually dies from respiratory failure. The disease can be prevented with vaccination and regular booster shots.

    Rabies

    • Horses are also susceptible to this well-known and dangerous disease. It is caused by the rabies virus and is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. The disease affects the nervous system of horses and is 100% fatal if untreated.