HORSE RABIES

Rabies  is a neurological disease of horses. While the incidence of rabies in horses is low, the disease is serious and has considerable public health significance. It is recommended that rabies vaccine be a regular vaccine for all horses.

Exposure occurs through the bite of an infected animal, typically a wildlife source such as raccoon, fox, skunk, or bat. Bites to horses occur most often on the muzzle, face, and lower limbs. The virus migrates via nerves to the brain where it initiates and progresses rapidly.

Fortunately, rabies in horses is relatively rare. Less than 100 cases per year are recorded out of the estimated 7.5 million horses in this country. However, given the seriousness of this disease, and the risk to owners if their horses do become infected, vaccination is often recommended-particularly if a horse spends a considerable amount of time outside and you live in an area with high rabies activity.

Physical signs of rabies can include:

·         Fever

·         Anorexia

·         Blindness

·         Dysphagia

·         Hyperesthesia (manifested as self-mutilation)

·         Muscle Twitching

·         Lameness

·         Paresis and/or ataxia

·         Incontinence

·         Ascending paralysis

·         Sudden death

Rabvac3 is a killed virus vaccine for the vaccination of healthy dogs, cats and horses for the prevention of disease due to rabies. This vaccine meets the three year duration of immunity requirements for dogs and cats, and one year duration of immunity for horses.

When a horse is infected with rabies, the outcome is invariably fatal. But taking the simple step of ensuring an annual vaccination for your horse will nearly eliminate your horse’s risk of contracting this deadly disease.