Horse Influenza

Horse Influenza is generally known as 'the cough' because this is sometimes the only obvious symptom. It is highly infectious and can cause the horse to be off work for some weeks. The first sign is usually a slight fever that may go unnoticed, followed by a deep and often distressing cough. Caused by a virus, it often occurs between July and September. The treatment is to rest the horse and to put him on a laxative diet until the cough has completely gone. His return to full work should be slow and progressive. The veterinary surgeon should be called as antibiotic injections maybe necessary to discourage secondary, bacterial infection. The risk of catching equine influenza can now be greatly reduced communications. A highly efficient vaccine is available; at present two doses are given with an interval of six weeks between them,thereafter protection is given by a single dose once a year. Great care must be taken to ensure that the veterinary surgeon's advice is strictly carried out with regard to exercise in the period immediately following the inoculations. Entry to most horseshow's and horse trials is now usually only available to those who can show certificates of immunization against equine influenza for their horses.