Potomac Horse Fever | petmd

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What is Potomac Horse Fever?

Potomac horse fever (PHF), also known as Shasta River Crud or Equine Monocyte ehrlichiosis, is a disease that causes acute and sometimes fatal enteritis (inflammation of the inner layer of the digestive system) in horses. If you find your horse becomes lethargic with diarrhea and reduced appetite and fever, you should call your veterinarian immediately.

PHF is caused by bacteria Neorickettsia risticii It is named after the Potomac River, which was first discovered in the 1980s. Most Canada and geographical areas near creeks and rivers in the region are most commonly observed in warm months. The breed and age of the horse may be affected, but it is not usually seen in horses under 12 months old.

Potomac Horse Fever Symptoms

Includes signs that your horse may be suffering from PHF:

This bacterial-induced colitis is more likely to produce secondary laminitis than several other organisms. PHF horses are at a higher risk of developing steatitis if they become extremely fever, toxic, or dehydrated.

Causes of Potomac Horse Fever

Horse gains PHF by ingesting Neorickettsia risticii– Carry freshwater insects when drinking, such as:

• Dragonfly

• Mayfly

• caddisflies

• Stone Free

• Damcel Merry

Freshwater snails often carry small parasites to the digestive tract, known as flukes or flukes. Young flukes carry this bacteria. When they are released into the water, they are consumed by fly. Horse drinking from these freshwater sources is more likely to accidentally ingest an aquatic insect or fluke carrying this intracellular bacteria.

Floods that occur in aquatic fly are resistant to acid in the horse’s stomach and do not die after eating them. N.risticii It then penetrates white blood cells, especially the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation and damage. Toxins are produced from tissue damage and then absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

How Vets Diagnose Potomac Horse Fever

If your horse is depressed with a decrease in appetite, fever and has a history of being close to fresh water within the past few weeks, PHF may be a possible cause. If diarrhea is present, other causes of diarrhea such as salmonella and clostridium should be eliminated. Real-time PCR tests of feces and blood (PCR tests check for the presence of genetic material from a particular organism or organism) can check responsible organisms. This test is fast enough to help you decide on a treatment protocol. Because organisms do not stay in the bloodstream for long, even if a negative PCR test is found, they do not rule out PHF as a diagnosis. However, a positive PCR confirms infection.

Blood or feces cultures can also be done to eliminate other diseases and aid in diagnosis, but it takes time while waiting for the bacteria to grow in a special medium. If possible, these tests should be performed before antibiotic therapy begins.

Potomac Horse Fever Treatment

Many cases of PHF are mild or asymptomatic, showing only signs of lethargy and a decrease in appetite. However, if the horse gets rapidly (acute) sickness or the horse becomes toxic, the condition can be life-threatening and intensive care is required.

Potomac horse fever is usually treated with antibiotics Oxytetracycline for 5-7 days. Most horses begin to show significant improvement within 12-24 hours of starting treatment. However, if colitis, diarrhea, dehydration, or laminitis develops, the horse may need hospitalization for IV fluid, anti-inflammatory, and close management. Many veterinarians recommend if PHF is diagnosed Ice boots To prevent early onset of steatitis. Fatitis is difficult to treat in cases of PHF, and unfortunately it is the main cause of selected euthanasia.

Potomac Horse Fever Recovery and Management

If your horse has a fever of unknown origin, it should be isolated from others until a diagnosis is made, as many causes of fever and diarrhea can be transmitted. When PHF is diagnosed quickly and treatment is instituted, fever, lethargy and appetite usually begin to improve rapidly and dramatically. Antibiotic therapy is usually given for 5 days. If the indicator recurs after the first round, 2 seconds may be implemented. Appetite and energy levels can take several days to return to normal.

Your horse should maintain a quiet and calm environment during treatment, maintaining hydration and food intake. If your horse is painful and reluctant to walk, it is important to have your horse reevaluated so that it can be an indicator of laminitis.

Mares infected during pregnancy can also discontinue their fetus a few months after infection, as the foal can become infected in the uterus.

Potomac horse fever prevention

There are several measures you can take to help prevent PHF instances, including:

• Do not drink or graze your horses near fresh water, such as streams or rivers, during the summer

• Frequently clean water buckets and troughs

• Prevent the charm of night bugs with light controls around your barn

PHF Vaccines are available. This may reduce the severity of clinical signs if the horse is infected. PHF vaccinations are usually given in combination with the annual rabies vaccine. If you live in an endemic area, vaccinations are usually recommended annually in the spring to promote protection.