Apart from veterinary doctors and some people who breed horses or rely on them as a means of livelihood, there are not to many people who know of the diseases which can affect these beautiful equine creatures.
Just like humans and all other animals horses can become sick from either viral or bacterial infections. Horses also can be susceptible to physical injury, especially racehorses and show horses, which have been bred artificially for speed or to jump.
As is the case in humans, if the signs of illness or infection are recognized early enough then measures can be taken to prevent the condition becoming more serious. Some common diseases caused by bacteria in horses are as follows.
Horse Distemper Also known as the ‘strangles’ is usually associated with young horses and can readily affect other horses via a nasal discharge.
Cushings Disease. Unfortunately this condition has no cure and results from the development of a growth in the pituitary gland. The symptoms which commonly occur in older horse or young ponies can be alleviated by the administration of medicines each day.
Swamp Fever. Often referred to as Equine encephalomyelitis. This is a viral lung disease which is highly infectious.
Tetanus. This disease is usually caused by the animal eating grass which has grown in soil contaminated by the tetanus bacteria Clostridium tetani. Tetanus (lockjaw) causes chronic spasms in the neck and jaw in much the same way that humans are affected. Tetanus can also be caused by an injury but the disease can be treated with an anti- tetanus vaccine, if treatment is delayed the disease can be fatal.
Horse Fever. Sometimes referred to as ‘Potomac Fever’ is fairly common in western regions of the USA. The symptoms show as acute diarrhea, a refusal to eat, and a high fever.
Horses like humans can develop colds, coughs, and flu like symptoms which if not treated can lead to pneumonia.
Just like humans and all other animals horses can become sick from either viral or bacterial infections. Horses also can be susceptible to physical injury, especially racehorses and show horses, which have been bred artificially for speed or to jump.
As is the case in humans, if the signs of illness or infection are recognized early enough then measures can be taken to prevent the condition becoming more serious. Some common diseases caused by bacteria in horses are as follows.
Horse Distemper Also known as the ‘strangles’ is usually associated with young horses and can readily affect other horses via a nasal discharge.
Cushings Disease. Unfortunately this condition has no cure and results from the development of a growth in the pituitary gland. The symptoms which commonly occur in older horse or young ponies can be alleviated by the administration of medicines each day.
Swamp Fever. Often referred to as Equine encephalomyelitis. This is a viral lung disease which is highly infectious.
Tetanus. This disease is usually caused by the animal eating grass which has grown in soil contaminated by the tetanus bacteria Clostridium tetani. Tetanus (lockjaw) causes chronic spasms in the neck and jaw in much the same way that humans are affected. Tetanus can also be caused by an injury but the disease can be treated with an anti- tetanus vaccine, if treatment is delayed the disease can be fatal.
Horse Fever. Sometimes referred to as ‘Potomac Fever’ is fairly common in western regions of the USA. The symptoms show as acute diarrhea, a refusal to eat, and a high fever.
Horses like humans can develop colds, coughs, and flu like symptoms which if not treated can lead to pneumonia.
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