I will add more to each synopsis as I see fit. I am only giving pointers to sources of information on the 'net because if you are reading this, chances are you have computer access so you can look at the sites. Plus there are just so many books and articles out there and not every one can get access to them, as I have learned through personal experience, I think it is more fair to everyone to give just those sources of more info (of specific natures) that are there for all to see. Besides, most of them say things better than I can (one day soon I will name some particularly helpful books). This page will by no means provide all info about each disease. It is only meant to provide an outline about certain diseases so I (and then you) can have textual illustrations of why prevention is so necessary and so that we know what people are talking about when they mention one of these diseases. One more thing, don't take all the technical info here as writ, I am no vet.
Cause: Three distinct viruses: Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan (named because of first geological outbreak). Mosquitoes carry it from birds and rodents to horses. EEE and WEE can't be directly transmitted from one horse to another, but VEE can (via aerosol droplets from an infected animal).
Main Parts Affected: Brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms: Fever of 102-107 degrees F, anorexia, depression, drowsiness, difficulty swallowing, grinding of teeth, walking in circles and staggering, walking into things, muscle weakness, behavioral changes, paralysis, horse may recover or die.
Detection: See Symptoms
Treatment: Call vet, isolate infected animals, Supply horse with palable feed and water, keep horse on his feet, keep horse protected from mosquitoes.
Prevention/Precaution: Vaccinate once yearly before
Cause: Virus found in saliva of infected dogs, foxes, skunks, raccoons, bats, cats, and wolves. Transmitted through bites or infected saliva dripping into open wounds and cuts.
Main Parts Affected: Nervous system
Symptoms: Initial signs - itching where bitten, horse becomes vicious, attacking peaple, objects, and other horses, horse drools excessively. Later signs - horse becomes lethargic, becomes paralysed, and death occurs (usually 3-4 days from onset of symptoms).
Detection: See Symptoms
Treatment: Call vet, horse must be euthanized (there is no treatment). Brain is needed for a positive rabies diagnosis, so care must be taken not to damage it.
Prevention/Precaution: Vaccinate all barn dogs and cats, and horses when in areas where rabies is prevalent, disinfect all equipment and other objects where infected saliva might have been deposited, strict quarantine measures for all incoming horses.
Notes: Rabies should be considered as a possibility in any case of rapidly progressing, unexplainable neurologic disease.
Diarrhea, Exhaustion and Overheating, Gastric Ulcers, Proud Flesh, Melanoma, Sarcoids, and Anaphalactic Shock.
Name: Equine Encephalomyelitis (Sleeping Sickness, EEE,WEE, VEE, Encephalitis)
Name: Rabies (hydrophobia)