Symptoms of Sleeping Sickness Disease in a Horse

Horses are gentle and wonderful companions. They provide therapy, recreation and transportation. Horses are also powerful and majestic, which can make them seem independent. But when horses get sick, they need owners who understand their needs and are able to provide all they require to recover. Sleeping sickness disease in a horse is hard on horse and owner alike.

  1. What it is

    • Sleeping sickness disease in horses is a virus that causes both the spinal cord and the brain to swell. Also called equine encephalomyelitis, the virus affects the central nervous system, heading directly for the horse's spinal cord and brain. Sleeping sickness affects every part of the horse since it is rooted in the brain and nervous system. The two most most prevalent forms of sleeping sickness in the United States are the Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) and Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE). The disease is often transmitted through a mosquito bite that can be as deadly for humans as it is for horses.

    Discomfort

    • Horses do not show signs of illness until four or five days after being exposed to equine sleeping sickness. Pressure from the swelling of brain and spinal cord tissue then causes discomfort for the horse. The animal with sleeping sickness seems to lose direction and may bump into fences, gates or other objects as though sleep walking or blind. A horse may show compulsive behaviors, refuse to eat, and may become overly excited for little or no reason.

    Brain Symptoms

    • Once sleeping sickness hits, the horse's heart rate increases. The animal will grow restless and show signs of fever, anxiety, or even depression. The horse with sleeping sickness shows definite signs of behavioral changes. A gentle horse may grow dangerously aggressive. An excitable horse may grow docile. As the disease continues and the spinal cord and brain become more affected, the horse with sleeping sickness may show signs of dementia. A horse with full-blown sleeping sickness will not be trustworthy. Horses may not know their owner seeks to help and alleviate their pain, and may respond in totally unexpected ways that may prove dangerous to someone not alert and with a full understanding of potential harm.

    Body Symptoms

    • As the sleeping sickness disease in a horse progresses, the horse's muscles weaken, making it more difficult for the horse to move. The horse may grow aggressive and circle compulsively. The animal may not only bump into objects, but also actually lean against the fence, walls or other objects as though needing the support to stay up. It may appear humorous when the horse constantly yawns and falls asleep for no apparent reason, but these are serious symptoms of sleeping sickness. The horse may not even be able to swallow. Eating may become impossible.

    Recovery

    • Horses that survive the equine sleeping sickness disease may suffer permanent damage of some kind. Even horses with a mild case of sleeping sickness take weeks to recover their strength and vitality.