Rabies

Disease Overview

Rabies is a rare but fatal viral disease that attacks a horse’s neurologic system and can be transmitted to people and other animals.

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PRESTIGE® EQUIRAB®

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Transmission

Exposure occurs primarily through the bite of an infected animal, usually a raccoon, fox, skunk, bat or other wildlife source. Rabies is endemic in every state in the United States except Hawaii. Bites to horses occur most often on the muzzle, face and lower limbs.

Although rare, the virus can also be transmitted through open wounds, cuts in the skin, abrasions, direct contact with the mucous membranes (mouth or eyes) of infected animals, and aerosolization of nerve or central nervous system tissues during necropsy.

Clinical Signs

While highly variable, clinical signs may include:

Fever
Lack of appetite
Blindness
Dysphagia
Hyperesthesia—manifests as self-mutilation
Muscle twitching
Lameness
Weakness and/or incoordination
Incontinence
Paralysis—ascending
Sudden death

Rabies in horses can take two forms: dumb and furious. In the dumb form, behavioral signs include depression or stupor.

The furious form produces mania; these horses are extremely dangerous.

Risk Factors

24-hour access to pasture
Living in an endemic area

Downloads

Prestige Equirab Combo FactSheet

Rabies: Deadly but Preventable. What to know. What is it. How it’s contracted. The most common symptoms. How does my horse contract rabies? How do we prevent it. Am I at risk?

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References