Post by Incognito on Feb 14, 2012 11:23:52 GMT -5
A veterinarian has confirmed a case of horse flu in northern Tehama County, saying the strain may be more virulent than normal.
One horse has a confirmed case of equine influenza, said Dr. William Gray, a veterinarian with the Cottonwood Veterinary Clinic. He said a swab sample was tested and verified today by the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of California, Davis.
"This stuff spreads pretty rapidly," Gray said.
The steed is part of a group of around 25 horses, Gray said. He said more than half of them have shown the signs of infection: high fever, nasal discharge, coughing and lethargy.
The flu can kill young and elderly animals, he said.
Gray said the fever lasts around three to five days in otherwise healthy horses. The other symptoms can last up to 10 days.
He said the one he tested had just started showing signs. Many of the adult horses, around 8- to 10-years-old, had also fallen ill with moderate symptoms.
"That's pretty rare," he said. "If I see influenza in a group of young horses, it's like they got the flu, it spreads through them. But when you start seeing older horses in the bunch, that tells me it's a little more virulent."
He said he thinks an out-of-state horse brought the virus into the area.
The best defense, he said, is to vaccinate the horses, which costs between $15 to $30 per animal.
After vaccinating them, owners should keep the horses away from other steeds for a few days if using the nasal vaccine. If the veterinarian uses the dead-virus inoculation, then the owner should sequester the equine for at least 10 days, Gray said.
Owners should also avoid shows, rodeos and other events with large numbers of horses until the vaccine takes effect, or if the horse shows any symptoms.
If a steed shows signs, Gray said to call a veterinarian and reduce the exposure to other horses.
Those vaccinated within the previous few months will likely be safe, he said. He said owners should vaccinate their horses at least twice per year, more if they frequently attend shows.
One horse has a confirmed case of equine influenza, said Dr. William Gray, a veterinarian with the Cottonwood Veterinary Clinic. He said a swab sample was tested and verified today by the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of California, Davis.
"This stuff spreads pretty rapidly," Gray said.
The steed is part of a group of around 25 horses, Gray said. He said more than half of them have shown the signs of infection: high fever, nasal discharge, coughing and lethargy.
The flu can kill young and elderly animals, he said.
Gray said the fever lasts around three to five days in otherwise healthy horses. The other symptoms can last up to 10 days.
He said the one he tested had just started showing signs. Many of the adult horses, around 8- to 10-years-old, had also fallen ill with moderate symptoms.
"That's pretty rare," he said. "If I see influenza in a group of young horses, it's like they got the flu, it spreads through them. But when you start seeing older horses in the bunch, that tells me it's a little more virulent."
He said he thinks an out-of-state horse brought the virus into the area.
The best defense, he said, is to vaccinate the horses, which costs between $15 to $30 per animal.
After vaccinating them, owners should keep the horses away from other steeds for a few days if using the nasal vaccine. If the veterinarian uses the dead-virus inoculation, then the owner should sequester the equine for at least 10 days, Gray said.
Owners should also avoid shows, rodeos and other events with large numbers of horses until the vaccine takes effect, or if the horse shows any symptoms.
If a steed shows signs, Gray said to call a veterinarian and reduce the exposure to other horses.
Those vaccinated within the previous few months will likely be safe, he said. He said owners should vaccinate their horses at least twice per year, more if they frequently attend shows.