Infectious diseases horses can get

Botulism:

• Cause: from spore forming bacteria which is found in the environment, but mostly found in soil.
• Effects: there may be nerve damage if it is not treated immediately.
• Treatment/Prevention: Vaccinations will help prevent it, and get rid of feed if there is bird poop in it.

Sleeping Sickness:

• Cause: a virus that is carried by mosquitoes. There are three different types: Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan.
• Effects: usually very serious, but each strain has different effects.
• Treatment/Prevention: Vaccinations will help prevent this, and if they do get this consult vet on how to treat.

Influenza:

• Cause: viral infection.
• Effects: there may be respiratory disease and a fever. it is very contagious and does not respond to antibiotics.
• Treatment/Prevention: vaccines for prevention, and call vet if the horse has this and they willl tell you how to treat.

Pneumonia:

• Cause: bacteria in lungs.
• Effects: rapid and shallow breathing, coughing, wheezing, rattling noises in lungs, fever, discharge from nostrils, and badly smelling breath.
• Treatment/Prevention: keep horse away from other horses, have horse in a warm barn, with fresh and clean water. Good nourishing feed to eat.

Rabies:

• Cause: spread by saliva of infected animals to uninfected, or by biting or licking wounds or lesions of an infected animal
• Effects: the two most common signs are difficultly swallowing and drooling.
• Treatment/Prevention: vaccines to prevent, all horses should be vaccinated for this.

Tetanus:

• Cause: toxin produced by a bacteria in the digestive tract and in soils with lots of animal manure.
• Effects: destroys nervous system and paralyzes breathing muscles.
• Treatment/Prevention: Vaccination to prevent.