Problems with EHV-1????

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awolstencroft

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Just bought a horse who became suddenly ill. He tested positive for EHV-1 and the vet has said he should recover fine on his own bit if his immune system deteriorates it could resurface later in life (like a cold sore)

Has anyone any experience with this?
 
No experience but read up on it quite a bit at one point when the vets thought my Wobbler horse had it as he tested positive for it. Its estimated that 33% of the equine population (talking millions) carry the virus but only some shred it - they are known as shredders, and only some contract it, they are thought to contract it through stressful situations. Two others on the yard tested positive for it also. Just because they are tested positive doesn't mean to say they are actually suffering from it. EHV are viruses that are found in most horses all over the world. Almost all horses have been infected with the virus and have no serious side effects. It is unknown what causes some of the horses to develop the serious neurological forms that may be fatal.


There are five different kinds of EHV. EHV1 and 4 used to be thought of as the same virus but they are different viruses altotgether. EHV-3: Causes a venereal disease called coital exanthema that affects the external genitals on some breeding horses.

EHV 1 can cause abortions in mares that are pregnant.

EHV 4 also causes abortion but carries the risk of causing neuro problems and respiratory issues. EHV 4 is more common in foals and youngstock.

The virus can travel airbourne, and also from contaminated nasal discharge on buckets, rugs, grooming equipment, etc. A bit like how strangles is passed from horse to horse.

It is not a notifiable disease. It has the potential to be quite a serious disease but don't let that worry you, your vet has dealt with your horse and advised you accordingly.
 
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When I've traced back through his owner history it's known I am the 6th owner in 12 weeks... can't get much stressful for a 3yo
He had choke, nasal discharge and was generally depressed hence the swab being tested and came back positive for EHV-1
Vet says there is nothing we can do as such only keep him happy and give him sugary treats to keep his energy up as much as possible
Because he has presented with infection will that make him more likely to present again?
 
If you are his 6th owner in 12 weeks the poor boy could just need love and stability. Horses thrive on routine and he must be feeling shell shocked. Hopefully he has now fallen on his feet now with someone to give him that stability.
 
He definitely won't be going anywhere now...
I am just worried because he's been run down enough to have the virus present in him whether it will be a continual weakness he has :(
 
awolstencroft said:
He definitely won't be going anywhere now...
I am just worried because he's been run down enough to have the virus present in him whether it will be a continual weakness he has :(
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Like I previously stated 33 % of the equine population carry the virus. You don't need to be run down to have the virus in you. Only run down to catch it due to stress which will obviously be avoided now he will not be passed around from pillar to post x
 
EHV-1 is pretty serious - a friend lost her horse because of it in the last outbreak and the local race yard lost a couple of horses too. Is your horse showing clinical signs at all? If not, then he could just be a carrier. If he is showing clinical signs then yes - it could be very serious.
 
The vet is treating him currently... he had choke, was dull and depressed, and white nasal discharge.

I think we caught it quickly as he was vetted wednesday and he arrived within 24 hours and that is when the clinical signs developed.

Its more for future whether everytime I take him into a stressfull situation will it resurface and we will go through this same process?
 
awolstencroft said:
The vet is treating him currently... he had choke, was dull and depressed, and white nasal discharge.

I think we caught it quickly as he was vetted wednesday and he arrived within 24 hours and that is when the clinical signs developed.

Its more for future whether everytime I take him into a stressfull situation will it resurface and we will go through this same process?
Click to expand...

From a website “All horses carry some form of EHV, and all it takes for it to reemerge is stress. There is a latent infection located in a nerve, just like herpes simplex in people. It stays latent until periods of stress, such as under performance conditions for horses, then the horse has a recrudescence, a recurrence, of the disease, like a human getting a cold sore.”

Did you vet suggest getting your horse vaccinated against it for the future? Why don't you ring your vet and ask if a vaccination is possible once the horse is recovered? Trouble is the vaccine available only gives protection for two to three months. Its effective seven to 10 days after the horse receives the first injection and first booster (two shots). So you would have to repeat the vaccines.

I'd really speak to your vet, they have best experience with this disease and would be best placed to tell you how to go forwards from here.



Here is a link to the fact sheet http://animalscience.uconn.edu/extension/publications/herpesvirus.htm
 
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