365 Days in Horse Country – Equine Influenza
Humans aren’t the only ones who get the flue. Horses come down with it, too. Called equine influenza, it has many of the same symptoms as the human version. Horses develop lethargy, a high fever, and a thick nasal discharge. Some horses come down with a cough as well and secondary infections can develop as well, including pneumonia.
Just with the human flue, equine influenza is spread between individuals via airborne contact. It is diagnosed based on the symptoms. In most cases, the virus runs its course, and the horse is fine after a week or so. Problems arise when complications occur, such as bacterial infections.
Just as with the human flu, the horse version can often be prevented with vaccination. Some veterinarians recommend the vaccine twice or more a year, while other only once. The frequency of the vaccine depends in part on how much contact your horse has with other equines. Horses kept in boarding stables are usually vaccinated at least twice a year.
Michael