| 10
Tips for Reducing Your Horse’s West Nile Risk Since first being recognized in the United States in 1999, West Nile
virus (WNV) has posed
a serious threat to horses and humans alike. In the equine population,
the virus is transmitted when a mosquito takes a blood meal from a
bird infected with WNV, then feeds on a horse. While many horses exposed
to WNV experience no signs of illness, the virus can cause inflammation
of the brain and spinal cord. In some cases, especially in older horses,
WNV can be fatal.
As a
horse owner, prevention is the key to reducing your horse’s
risk of contracting WNV. Follow these guidelines from the American
Association of
Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to protect your horse against WNV:
- Consider vaccinating your horse against the disease. In February
2003, a
vaccine was licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s
Center for Veterinary Biologics for use in healthy horses as an aid in the
prevention of the disease. Talk with your veterinarian about the most appropriate
vaccination schedule for your horse.
- Eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites. Dispose of old
receptacles, tires and containers and eliminate areas of standing
water.
- Thoroughly clean livestock watering troughs at least monthly.
- Use larvicides to control mosquito populations when it is not
possible to eliminate particular breeding sites. Such
action should
only be taken,
however,
in consultation with your local mosquito control authority.
- Keep your horse indoors during the peak mosquito activity periods
of dusk to dawn.
- Screen stalls if possible or at least install fans over your
horse to help deter mosquitoes.
- Avoid
turning on lights inside the stable during the evening or overnight.
- Using
insect repellants on your horse that are designed to repel
mosquitoes can help reduce the chance of being
bitten.
- Remove any birds, including chickens, located in or
close to a stable.
- Don’t forget to protect yourself as well. When outdoors in the evening,
wear clothing that covers your skin and apply plenty of mosquito repellent.
For
more information about the virus, ask your equine veterinarian
for the “West
Nile Virus” brochure, produced by the AAEP in conjunction with Bayer
Animal Health, an AAEP Educational Partner. Additional information about WNV
can be found on the AAEP’s horse-health
Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine
Practitioners.
Back
to Helpful Resources
|
