Respiratory System & Diseases Influenza Rhinopneumonitis Strangles Topic: 3184C & 3189C By: Anna Fields

Overview of the Respiratory System  Function: exchange mechanism by which the body takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide

Parts of the Respiratory System (A) Buccal cavity (B) Nasal Cavity (open to pharynx) (C) Inferior maxillary sinus (D) Superior maxillary sinus (E) Frontal sinuses (F) Guttural pouch (G) Pharynx (H) Trachea (I) Bronchus (J) Alveolus (K) Lungs (L) Larynx pages/respiratory_2.htm

Parts of the Respiratory System  Nostrils  Nasal cavity  Sinuses within the skull  Pharynx: back of the mouth  Larynx: voice box  Trachea: windpipe  Bronchi: the branches of the trachea going into the lungs  Lungs  Alveoli: air sacs in lungs where gas exchange occurs Natures_Best/Nat_Best_Low_Leve l/Respiratory_page.L.html y4kids.com/files/s ystems_respiratory.html

Preventing Contagious Diseases  Separate horses by age groups.  Performance horses should not be nose-to-nose with other horses.  New additions to the herd must pass through a short quarantine phase before being introduced to the herd.  Vaccination is essential  Do not share buckets, brushes, bits etc. strangles.co.uk/Control.asp

Influenza  Upper respiratory virus with symptoms similar to a human flu  Horses usually recover within 2-3 weeks

Influenza Transmission  Passed from horse to horse (contagious)  Virus transmitted in Mucus Saliva Water vapor droplets  Incubation period: 1-5 days Direct contact or indirect contact with infected material within 36 hours

Influenza Signs  Fever 102°F or more  Nasal discharge  Dry, hacking cough  Loss of appetite  Reduced energy

Influenza Preventative Measures  Vaccinate every 3 months Intramuscular Intranasal  General contagious disease preventative measures

Rhinopneumonitis  Upper respiratory herpes virus with symptoms similar to influenza  3 subtype herpes viruses respiratory symptoms and causes pregnant mares to abort foals (EHV-1) just respiratory symptoms (EHV-2) respiratory and neurological symptoms (EHV-3)  Most common EHV-1 (abortive)  Usually recover within a week from EHV-1

Rhinopneumonitis Transmission  Contagious  Virus transmitted in Mucus Saliva Water vapor droplets  Incubation period: 2-10 days

Rhinopneumonitis Signs  Fever °F  Watery nasal discharge  Dry, hacking cough  Loss of appetite  Reduced energy  Abortion of fetus in 3 rd trimester  Occasionally neurological signs will occur including: mild incoordination, paralysis of the rear legs or complete recumbency.

Rhinopneumonitis Preventative Measures  Vaccinate every 3 months Intramuscular  Vaccinate mares in their 5 th, 7 th, and 9 th months of pregnancy  Same general preventative measures as Influenza

Influenza vs. Rhino Influenza  Shorter incubation period  Longer recovery period  Given both IM & intranasal Rhino  Can causes abortions  Usually higher fever  Usually more watery nasal discharge  May have neurological signs

Strangles  Upper respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi  Often causes swollen lymph nodes under the jaw and purulent nasal discharge  More common in young horses Once exposed horses usually are immune strangles.co.uk/About_Strangles.asp

Strangles Transmission  Extremely contagious  Bacteria transmitted in Mucus Discharging pus Can easily travel on clothing and other material  Incubation period: 4-14 days strangles.co.uk/The_Disease.asp

Strangles Signs  Fever up to 106°F  Purulent nasal discharge (yellowish)  Swollen lymph nodes that may have pus drainage  Difficulty swallowing  Cough  Loss of appetite  Reduced energy for up to 3 months  Depression -strangles.co.uk/

Strangles Preventative Measures  Vaccinate annually Intramuscular Intranasal  General contagious disease prevention  Extremely contagious—extreme caution is necessary