Vaccinations for Horses Encouraged
Saturday, June 23rd, 2018 -- 9:16 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -An equine specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture says mosquitoes can spread two diseases among horses that can be eliminated by vaccination.Dr. Julie McGwin reminds horse owners that Wisconsin had 24 confirmed cases of either Eastern equine encephalitis or West Nile virus last year. According to the Equine Disease Communication Center, the number of cases of EEE reported by southern states has increased more this year than the same time last year. Horses require two doses of the vaccinations initially, and then boosters at least annually to fight against Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus. McGwin encourages horse owners to work with their local veterinarian to establish a vaccination program.
Both WNV and EEE are caused by viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, and both may cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Both viruses can be fatal to horses. Symptoms are similar for both diseases: depression, appetite loss, drooping eyelids and lower lip, fever, weakness, twitching, paralysis or lack of coordination, aimless wandering, circling and blindness.
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