Equine herpes virus (EHV)
There are five strains of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV),
EHV-1 and EHV-4 being the most notable. Initial symptoms
include coughing and other signs of respiratory distress
often leading to significant respiratory tract disease.
In advanced stages horses may exhibit neurological symptoms,
such as ataxia: weakness, shakiness and wobbliness and
abortions in mares have been observed.
EHV follows the characteristic markers of the herpes
virus in that it has the potential to go into a dormant
stage and remain in the body throughout the life of your
horse.
Mainly young and immune compromised horses are at risk.
The virus is spread through the respiratory tract, infective
nasal discharge, placental fluids and aborted foetuses.
Can Equissage help?
As there has been no specific study into whether Equissage
can help or not, there is no clear answer. The main difficulty
with the herpes family of viruses is that they have an
ability to evade the immune system - they produce substances
that decrease the immune response against them. They also
possess latency i.e. the ability to lie dormant, and during
the periods of latency the virus produces very few proteins
further reducing opposition from the immune system.
Logical reasoning suggests that use of Equissage will
help with regard to effects on the respiratory tract and
coughing due to its ability of open up the airways. However,
as affected horses usually have raised temperatures, then
until this is normalised, using Equissage is not recommended.
If the EHV-1 strain develops to the extent that neurological
signs become evident, then again use of Equissage must
be guarded due to in-coordination, the inability to pass
urine or faeces (thus requiring the need for a catheter),
etc. Once the horse is on the road to recovery, then obviously
Equissage can be used as part of that process.
The EHV-4 strain typically causes respiratory disease
(which can lead to abortion in mares) preceded by an increase
in temperature.
Application:
As there is no specific veterinary treatment for Equine
Herpes other than the provision of anti-inflammatories
for the fever, then there is no definitive answer as to
how Equissage should be applied for maximum benefit of
the horse.
However for the less affected horse, once the high temperature
has been addressed, then Equissage can be used to help
clear the airways and eliminate mucus etc.
For the more severely affected horse, once the vet is
satisfied that associated neurological symptoms have eased,
then Equissage should become part of the daily routine
to promote the circulatory systems, ease muscles, etc.
Some patients actually become recumbent and unfortunately
the chances of recovery are very slight.
As the virus can evade the immune system then whether
or not Equissage has any benefit in this respect is open
to question but it is one of those instances where its
use can only do good and most certainly cannot do any
harm.
For more information please call 0800 072 1180,
email us at info@equissage.co.uk
or request a FREE TRIAL
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