Causative Agent:
VS is caused by a virus of the rhabdoviradae family. Outbreaks occur in cycles and this virus causes problems in cattle, pigs, and horses. Humans are also sometimes affected with flu-like symptoms.Clinical Signs: The disease rarely kills the animal, but causes some very painful lesions. The early signs of disease include fever, reluctance to eat, and increased salivation. With time, vesicles or blisters are developed on the mouth, nose, gums, and the coronary band. These lesions eventually rupture, leaving an ulcerated, painful area.
Disease Transmission: VS is extremely contagious and can easily be spread by direct contact animal to animal. The organism is also spread by insects (mosquitoes and flies), or contaminated hands and equipment.
Diagnosis: This virus can be detected in fluid collected from the vesicles.
An exposed animal can also be diagnosed, based on blood titers. Someone that is experienced with the disease can readily identify infected animals just by appearance.Treatment: These animals often have difficulty eating; therefore, soft, wet feed is beneficial. The horse can be given antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections, and should be isolated from other animals. The disease will eventually run its course in 2-3 weeks.
Prevention: Proper hygiene is always necessary in preventing disease transmission. Examination and isolation of any new animal entering a premises is essential when an outbreak has been reported. Any positive cases are to be reported to the state veterinarian.
*If a horse is showing any of the above vesicle type symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately!