Potomac Fever in Horses
A sudden outbreak of a horse fever gained national attention in the United States in 1979. This took place in the Potomac River Basin, northwest of Washington DC. Nearly 100 horses fell ill and almost one third of them died.
Potomac horse fever is caused by bacteria called Neorickettsia risticii when ingested. It hits the intestinal tract causing inflammation, sweating, high fever, loss of appetite and depression. The disease is seasonal occurring between late spring and early fall in temperate climate with most cases reported during August and September.
The major symptoms of this disease include high fever, depression, non field diarrhea, edema owing to protein imbalances, and abortion by pregnant mares. However, sometimes the horses might exhibit only fever as a symptom of the Potomac fever.
Potomac horse fever is diagnosed by measuring the antibody titers to check the presence of bacterium in blood and feces. Most veterinarians initiate treatment right away since this disease can spread very quickly. Sometimes they also run complete blood counts to determine a proper course of the care. Radiographs may also be carried out to diagnose the disease.
Tetracycline antibiotics are used to cure Potomac fever. In milder cases oral doxycycline while severe cases demands drugs like intravenous oxytetracycline. Healing severe cases is usually aimed at reducing the pain and preventing laminitis. Certain NSAIDs such as Banamine, dimethyl sulfoxide. Administration of certain products such as biosponge or activated charcoal can also help in treating Potomac fever in horses.
Prevention of Potomac horse fever is possible to a certain extent. Vaccines are available which can be made use of. However they are not always very effective and results in a very weak immune response only lessening the severity of the disease.