Equine Herpes Virus 1 and 4 – What You Must Know

equine herpes virus what you must know

Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpes-4 (EHV -4) are highly contagious respiratory viruses that are easily passed from horse to horse through the inhalation of respiratory secretions or through direct contact.

What are symptoms of Equine Herpes Virus-1 and Equine Herpes Virus -4?

Horses with either EHV-1 or EHV-4 will exhibit the following symptoms: fever, a runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, and lethargy. In addition, EHV-1 can cause neurological disease, abortions in mares, and the birth of weak non-viable foals.

How is the Equine Herpes Virus treated?

Currently, there is no known cure for the Equine Herpes Virus. Once a horse contracts it, the herpes virus can resurface at any time throughout the horse’s life, especially during stressful situations.  The best thing to do is to treat secondary infections. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs can help ease the horse’s discomfort. Quarantine appears to be the best way to prevent other horses from contracting the virus.

Can the Equine Herpes Virus be prevented?

A regularly scheduled vaccination program is the most effective preventative course of action at this time. There are many vaccines that are readily available which can help prevent a horse from contracting the Equine Herpes Virus. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend the vaccine that is right for your horse.

Equine Herpes Virus Vaccines

Calvenza EHVcalvenza-equine herpes virus-vaccine is an equine rhinopneumonitis vaccine for the vaccination of healthy, susceptible horses 6 months of age or older, including pregnant mares. The Calvenza EHV vaccines serves as an aid in the reduction of respiratory disease due to equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and type 4 (EHV-4).

fluvac innovator vaccine horsesFluvac Innovator EHV 4/1 (Rhino + Flu) is an intramuscular vaccination of healthy horses for the prevention of equine rhinopneumonitis due to types 1 and 4 viruses, and equine influenza due to type A2 viruses.

fluvac innovator 6 vaccine horsesFluvac Innovator 6 (3-way S. Sickness + Tet. + Flu + Rhino) provides protection against Eastern, Western and Venezuelan encephalomyelitis, influenza type A2, tetanus and rhinopneumonitis EHV-1 & EHV-4).

pneumabort vaccine equine herpes virus Pneumabort-K + 1b (EHV-1) helps in preventing respiratory diseases caused by the EHV 1p and EHV 1b viruses. In addition, it works as an aid in the prevention of abortion due to an EHV 1 infections. Pneumabort-K + 1b Contains two strains of EHV-1, increasing antibody production by as much as 400%.

vetera 6 vaccine equine herpes virus Vetera 6 XP (3-way S. Sickness + Tet. + Flu + Rhino) offers protection against rhinopneumonitis EHV-1 & EHV-4, Eastern, Western and Venezuelan encephalomyelitis, influenza type A2, and tetanus.

 

In conclusion, a horse can contract Equine Herpes Virus-1 or -4 through the inhalation of respiratory secretions and contact with other horses. Once a horse is infected with EVH, the horse will have the virus for life. Symptoms include fever, coughing, loss of appetite, a runny nose and lethargy. If the horse is infected with EVH-1, it may develop neurological problems, and abortions in the case of mares. There is no known cure for Equine Herpes Virus. Implementing a regular vaccination program is the best way to prevent a horse from contracting Equine Herpes Virus.

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