Equine Respiratory Disease Complex

EqStim is used in the treatment of Equine Respiratory Disease Complex. Respiratory disease is most commonly caused by Equine Herpes Virus (EVH-1 and EVH-4). These viruses cause an upper respiratory tract infection in susceptible horses, causing disease that is very similar to a head cold or the flu in people.Horses usually breathe in sneezed droplets from another infected horse; this is one way your horse can become infected. They can also become infected through contact with contaminated dust or feed. Once infected, the virus has an incubation period of 3-4 days. Infected horses usually carry the virus for around 7 days, though it can persist in nasal secretions for up to 20 days.

Common causes of ERDC include: 

Equine Herpes Virus    
Equine Influenza Virus        
Equine Arteritis Virus     
Equine Adenovirus

   
Common secondary bacterial infections such as: 

Streptococcus Zooepidemicus
Strangles
Rattles

While several viruses have been identified as causes of equine respiratory disease complex, the clinical signs and consequences are similar:

cough     
fever

nasal discharge

enlarged lymph nodes

loss of appetite

lethargy

slow recovery from exertion
missed training

If neglected, ERDC can escalate into secondary bacterial lung infections that may result in chronic problems and permanent damage to the horse’s respiratory tract.

Unlike antibiotics and vaccines, which target specific bacteria or viruses, an immune stimulant activates a non-specific immune response to target many agents that a horse’s immune system may recognize as a threat. Because of this rapid and general response, immunotherapy is a valuable addition to standard treatments for both bacterial and viral ERDC organisms. The use of an immune stimulant, either as a preventative or before an infection becomes fully established, can reduce the severity of clinical illness, the likelihood of tissue damage, and the spread of disease, which ultimately shortens the horse’s recovery time. Immune stimulation is safe to use in adult horses, ponies, and foals. Avoid immune stimulants containing an oil base as this may cause serious adverse reactions

in susceptible horses.