Horse flu is a highly transmittable condition that can spread quickly through horses. It is a virus that seriously resembles influenza, but is not usually fatal in healthy horses. But zebras, mules and horses in less than top condition can find the illness fatal.

There are two kinds of horse influenza: Orthomyxovirus A/Equi-1 and Orthomyxovirus A/Equi-2. Epidemics of the second of these 2 have devastated equine populations and became endemic in a few states.

The severity of attack depends largely on the final condition of the horse under attack. Factors like age and health determine the scale of infection. Horses generally recover within just a few days. Potentially the 1st sign of the condition is high temperature, manifesting at between 38OC and 41OC (102OF to 110OF). The standard body temperature for horses is between 37OC to 38OC. The pony may seem to be apathetic and leaden.

This symptom is followed fast by dry hacking coughs, which become wet as the days progress. The horse’s nose will run, and the animal may exhibit appetite loss.

As you can see, equine influenza seems just like human influenza. Veterinarians usually run nasal swabs and blood tests to get a confirmed diagnosis and also eliminate the possibilities of respiration disorders like viral arteritis and rhinopneumonitis.

In the absence of other issues , recovery is a straightforward case of rest and supportive nursing. The horse must be given a rest of at least a week for each day of illness, and the period of rest must go thru at least three weeks. The vet may prescribe NSAIDs and antibiotics if the horse’s body temperature surpasses 40OC (104OF), or if temperatures remain high for longer than 3 or 4 days. The vet might also prescribe antibiotics if he feels that pneumonia is a definite possibility , or if he sees pus in the nasal discharge.

The sole cure for this flu is to let it run out its course, and due to this, it is miles better that its onset be stopped. Vaccination programs and good animal husbandry practices go a good way toward stopping the illness from spreading. New horses should not be introduced to stables until they’ve been kept in quarantine for no less than 2 weeks. The pathogen is air borne, and is broadcasted easily thru the inhalation of respiratory secretions spread by a horse’s cough. Vaccinations administered nasally or thru the intramuscular route help keep the virus from infecting healthy horses. Your vet can identify the perfect kind of vaccination given your location and the overall state of your horse’s condition.

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