Equine Rhinitis Virus

There are many diseases that cause heavy nasal discharge in horses, and equine rhinitis virus (or simply rhinitis) is one. Equine rhinitis virus is a type of nasal cavity infection that usually accompanies other respiratory infections, such as equine influenza, or can be caused by bacterial or fungal infections.

  1. Symptoms

    • A horse afflicted with equine rhinitis virus usually exhibits nasal discharge that starts watery and gradually becomes thicker and yellow in color. Horses may also sneeze, sniffle, cough and have eye discharge and fever. These symptoms usually mean your horse has rhinitis caused by a respiratory infection.

    Strangles

    • Your horse can also develop equine rhinitis virus alongside strangles, a very contagious disease that often affects young horses. Horses with strangles will have a high fever, dry cough, swelling of the lymph nodes around the throat and won't be interested in food. If you suspect strangles, contact your veterinarian.

    Treatment

    • Equine rhinitis virus can be treated with over-the-counter remedies, including human nasal sprays and vaporizers used in an enclosed area, such as a stall. You can wipe off the mucus with wet cotton balls. The most important thing is to help your horse breathe.
      If your horse doesn't seem to be recovering after a couple of days or if you think the rhinitis has developed because of a bacterial infection, you should contact your veterinarian. Your veterinarian might need to perform some diagnostic tests to find out exactly what is going on in your horse's body, and bacterial infections might need antibiotics.

    A Virus

    • The equine rhinitis A virus is referred to ERAV and is classified under the genus Aphthovirus. The type of the disease refers to a virus that used to be called equine rhinovirus 1.

    B Virus

    • The equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV), however, is classified under the genus Erbovirus and refers to what used to be called equine rhinovirus 2 and 3. There are three subtypes to ERBV: equine rhinitis B virus 1, 2 and 3.