Texas horse owners are encouraged to talk to their veterinarians about vaccinations and booster vaccines for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
According to Dr. Bob Judd, the Texas A&M Diagnostic Lab has found seven positive cases of West Nile and seven cases of EEE in Texas horses.
We expected the heavy rains this spring would have this effect on the mosquito-transmitted diseases, so this is not a surprise since both of these diseases are transmitted in this manner, Judd reported on the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network.
West Nile is a viral disease that cycles between wild birds and mosquitoes. The virus attacks a horse’s central nervous system. The death rate from West Nile in horses is about 40 percent.
This is a serious disease, Judd said.
Typical clinical signs of West Nile include muscle twitching, incoordination, depression, lameness and partial paralysis.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is also a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and causes symptoms of droopy lips, dullness, twitching, wobbling and head pressing.
It is much more deadly than West Nile virus.
Unfortunately, there are many other diseases with similar symptoms. Blood testing is required to determine which disease is involved.
The good thing is there is a vaccine that is very effective in preventing these diseases. All horses should be vaccinated for West Nile as well as all strains of equine encephalitis, Judd said.
Vaccines are labeled for one year protection.
With this outbreak, the Texas Animal Health Commission recommends that if your horse has not been vaccinated in last six months, a booster is a good idea. Call your veterinarian for their recommendation.
Listen to Dr. Judd’s full report on Texas Vet News on the TFB Radio Network: http://bit.ly/1Q3Dxe4.