Horse owners: Now is the time to vaccinate horses
AUGUSTA- Maine State Veterinary
officials would like to remind horse owners that now is the time vaccinate horses
to ensure protection from Rabies and mosquito-borne diseases such as Eastern
Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV). Vaccinating
horses annually against rabies, EEE and WNV is the best way to protect them
from these dangerous diseases, which can cause neurologic symptoms and commonly
lead to death in unvaccinated animals.
Officials caution against complacency, even
though there were no cases of rabies, EEE or WNV in Maine horses last year. Annual
vaccination is safe, effective and essential to maintain protection against
these potentially deadly infections.
Horse owners can also minimize
the chances of their horses interacting with the wildlife species that commonly
transmit the rabies virus, such as raccoons and skunks, by cleaning up
potential food sources for these animals such as trash, grain and food left out
for barn cats.
Horse owners should reduce
mosquito breeding sites by eliminating sources of standing water such as unused
buckets and tires. Owners should also consider keeping horses inside
stalls during times of high mosquito activity - between dusk and dawn -
which will help reduce their exposure to mosquito bites.
Owners whose horses are
showing signs of these diseases, which can include stumbling, circling, head
pressing, depression or apprehension, weakness of legs, partial paralysis,
inability to stand, muscle twitching or death, are urged to contact their
veterinarian immediately. Suspicion of rabies, EEE or WNV infection in horses
should be reported to the Maine State Veterinarian’s office immediately at
207-287-7615.
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