Equine Flu Treatment

Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can spread to horses, mules, donkeys and other equine animals. An outbreak of equine influenza commonly spreads rapidly through both direct and indirect contact between horses and any contaminated tack, equipment and horse handlers. Equine influenza is a common disease in all horse populations worldwide except in Iceland and New Zealand. It was an exotic disease in Australia until an outbreak in 2007.

  1. Symptoms

    • Horses with the equine influenza virus often have a sudden increase in temperature (between 102.2 degrees and 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit); nasal discharge and a deep hacking cough. Horses may also appear depressed, have a loss of appetite, labored breathing and muscle pain.

    Treatment

    • The most common treatment for equine influenza is isolation and time. According to Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, horses with the disease need to be rested at least one week for every day symptoms have been present (for instance, if the horse coughs for three days, it needs to be rested for three weeks). A vet can prescribe medication to help with coughing and other symptoms.

      It often takes seven to 10 days for average horses to shed their cough (according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners), and it can take up to 10 days for all symptoms to disappear.

    Risk Factors

    • While equine influenza is not commonly deadly in adult horses with healthy immune systems, it can be threatening to older horses and young foals. In some cases, especially in cases where the horse is stressed during recovery, it may develop secondary bacterial bronchitis or bronchopneumonia, and die. In either case, antibiotics and other therapies are beneficial.

    Vaccine

    • Live booster vaccinations are offered every three to six months to healthy horses that help prevent the outbreak of the virus. According to the AAEP, "If animals are unvaccinated prior to the outbreak, the use of a modified live intranasal vaccine is recommended, as this can achieve protection within five days of primary administration."

    Prevention

    • Because it is such a highly contagious virus, the best way to prevent equine influenza is to stop the spread. The virus can remain viable on surfaces for up to two days and in water for up to three days. Horses who may have been contaminated by the virus should be isolated from other horses for 14 days. In the meantime, horse owners should vaccinate in order to prevent outbreaks.