West Nile Virus: Is Your Horse Safe?
West Nile virus is here, and it is probably here to stay. Since its discovery in New York in 1999, the virus has spread rapidly across the country, infecting horses in nearly every state in the continental U.S. One in three clinically infected horses will die.
Horse owners should take precautions to minimize the impact of the West Nile exposure and reduce the loss of life for horses from this serious neurological disease. Proper vaccination and mosquito control measures are of the utmost concern for all horse owners.
How Do Horses Get West Nile Virus?
The cycle starts with infected birds. When a mosquito bites a bird carrying the West Nile virus, it too becomes infected. The mosquito then feeds on another bird, a horse, human or other mammal. Once a horse has been bitten, it may take only 5 to 15 days for signs of West Nile virus to appear.
Signs of West Nile Virus
If you see these signs in your horse, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Stumbling or tripping
Muscle weakness or twitching
Partial paralysis
Loss of appetite
Depression or lethargy
Head pressing or tilt
Impaired vision
Wandering or circling
Inability to swallow
Inability to stand up
Fever
Convulsions
Coma
Death
What Can Owners Do to Prevent the Disease?
Vaccination Program
All horses should receive vaccinations in order to provide protection from West Nile virus. Recommendations are for an initial inoculation, a booster in 3 to 6 weeks and repeat boosters in the face of an outbreak, or every 6 months to best cover the mosquito season.
Mosquito Control Tips
In addition to vaccinations, horse owners should take particular measures to control mosquito populations.
Keep horses stabled during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Turn off lights in horse barns that attract mosquitoes at night.
Use florescent lights, which do not attract mosquitoes.
Keep screens in stable windows.
Run fans in stalls and loafing sheds.
Reduce standing/stagnant water sources.
Aerate ornamental ponds and stock with fish if possible.
Empty water collecting in buckets, tarps or tires.
Clean water troughs once a week.
Use mosquito repellent.
