VACCINATION AND HORSE HEALTH.

Diseases can occur suddenly, and without a proper vaccination protocol,it could be fatal. The benefit of vaccination aside from health status is hinged on the performance of the horse, and its much better to vaccinate your horses than to wait for disease incidence and initiate treatment. Vaccination protects the horse against disease agents by stimulating their immune system to develop antibodies when exposed to infectious agents.Vaccinations do not confer immediate protection,it takes the body 2-4 weeks to produce the protective antibodies against the disease.The first exposure vaccination must be followed by a booster shot at 4 weeks to strengthen the expected response. HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM VACCINATION. 1) Develop and maintain a vaccination protocol. 2)Obtain vaccines from reliable sources. 3)Maintain the cold chain. 4)Do not vaccinate sick animals. 5)Use sterile syringes and use recommended dose and route. The Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, west nile virus,rabies and tetanus toxoid are essential for every horse, these must be done alongside other vaccinations.

WEST NILE VIRUS IN HORSES.

The west nile virus affects birds,horses and man.Its a mosquito borne illness ;the mosquito acquires the virus by biting and sucking blood of infected horses or birds.The infection is prevalent in horses stabled in swampy regions, barns surrounded with over grown weeds and stables with high population of mosquitoes.The infection is also prevalent in un vaccinated horses, vaccinated horses could be subject to the infection if stabled in mosquito-ridden environment. Signs of infection include; incordination, muscle twitching,fever, weakness, partial paralysis and death. Prevention; vaccination. strict bio security protocol. prevent exposure to mosquitoes. .

US funds pandemic animal disease action

US funds pandemic animal disease action

Gut bacteria study aims to improve poultry health

Gut bacteria study aims to improve poultry health

Obama punishes South Africa over chicken row

Obama punishes South Africa over chicken row

EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANEMIA.(EIA)

Equine infectious anemia caused by a virus,that is related to the human immunodeficiency virus, but it does not affect man.The virus is detected by coggins test and there is no treatment or vaccine available .. The horsefly is the vector, the virus is transmitted to blood stream from the infected horse by biting flies and mosquitoes.Dirty equipment can also be source of infection. Horses with EIA usually have an history of weight loss accompanied with fever. EIA can also be suspected when horses in a group develop similar symptoms after introduction of new animals into stable. EIA could be acute,sub acute or chronic depending on severity of symptoms, which are sudden onset of fever,severe depression ,anorexia and anemia. EIA is diagnosed using the coggins test, all positive horses are isolated and euthanized. .

ANTHRAX IN HORSES.

Anthrax caused by a bacteria; Bacillus anthracis is associated with sudden death and blood oozing from all orifices.Its a zoonotic diseases that affects all warm blooded animals , cattle and sheep are more susceptible than other animals.The bacteria can easily be destroyed with common disinfectants,but when bacteria is exposed to air it forms spores that are resistant to drying,heating,chemicals and even disinfectants.These spores are highly resistant and can survive for years in soil, thus becoming an infection foci to surrounding water bodies,ground water and pasture in that vicinity. The source of infection is usually by grazing in contaminated pasture, or by inhalation of spores.The horse could also be infected through skin abrasions caused by insect bites,where the spores enter the wound area staring of a localized infection that progresses. The common signs are fever,sudden staggering,difficult breathing,trembling collapse and death. Colic is usually observed, with swelling and edema especially in the brisket area. Prevention. 1) vaccination. 2) allow horses on clean pasture( check history of area and any report of anthrax in area. Proper disposal of carcass in cases of outbreaks are important, deep burial and cover with lime.