Equine Influenza Symptoms

Equine influenza or "horse flu" is the most common respiratory diseases afflicting horses and ponies, according to The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual. The various subtypes of equine influenza produce similar symptoms. Equine influenza is contagious to horses, ponies, donkeys, mules and zebras. Regularly immunize horses against this potentially fatal disease.

  1. Time Frame

    • According to the University of Delaware, horses that have contracted equine influenza usually suffer symptoms from three to 10 days.

    Significance

    • Horses showing symptoms need to be isolated as soon possible for two weeks, even though a horse may appear well before the end of two weeks.

    First Symptoms

    • Initial symptoms include a constant dry cough, fever, loss of appetite, swelling in the legs and nasal discharge. The horse breathes noisily and may shiver.

    Later Symptoms

    • According to Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook, in a couple of days after the first symptoms, the dry cough becomes a cough that brings up gobs of yellow mucus.

    Age

    • Horses and ponies most at risk from equine influenza are foals and horses over 10 years old. Any horse suffering from an auto-immune disease is also at risk.