What is the incubation period for Potomac horse fever?
Because the incubation period is 10-18 days, acutely ill animals often have an elevated PHF IFA titer. Vaccinated animals may have a titer in a similar range. Paired acute and convalescent titers will help sort out response to infection versus a vaccine or previous exposure.
What causes Potomac fever in horses?
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) is a seasonal, sporadic, but acute and potentially fatal typhlocolitis of horses caused by infection with an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacteria, Neorickettsia risticii (formerly known as Ehrlichia risticii).
What organism causes Potomac horse fever?
Potomac horse fever (PHF), caused by an intracellular rickettsial organism called Neoricketsia ristcii, can affect horses especially during the months of the summer and fall.
What is the most common cause of death in horses with Potomac horse fever?
A smaller number of horses develop diarrhea, or have signs of colic. Laminitis (inflammation of the lamina of the feet) occurs in 10-20% of cases, and is often severe. Most deaths attributed to Potomac Horse Fever occur due to euthanasia necessitated by severe laminitis.
What is the treatment for Potomac horse fever?
Antibiotic therapy with oxytetracycline is the most common treatment and is usually started as soon as Potomac horse fever is suspected. Other treatments that may be necessary include anti-inflammatory medications such as Banamine®, IV fluids, electrolytes, and specific laminitis treatment/prevention.
Is Potomac horse fever spread by mosquitoes?
How is the disease spread? PHF is not contagious horse to horse. Instead, it spreads via the ingestion of aquatic insects, either in hay or in water troughs. While the disease has been more widespread just to the east of us in the Kingston area, we had confirmed cases in our area last fall.
Is Potomac horse fever reportable?
Mayfly, the Potomac Horse Fever Carrier PHF isn’t a reportable illness, largely because it’s not contagious from horse-to-horse, or horse-to-human-to-horse in the sense of more traditionally contagious illnesses. PHF does often impact horses living in the same space and cluster outbreaks do occur.
Is there a vaccine for Potomac horse fever?
Vaccine: The currently available commercial vaccine is a killed, adjuvanted product, which is also available combined with rabies vaccine. The current vaccine is labelled as an aid in the prevention of Potomac Horse Fever and is not labeled for prevention of abortion.
Is Potomac fever fatal?
Potomac horse fever is a serious, potentially fatal disease caused by a bacteria called Neorickettsia risticii. First described in 1979 in Maryland near the Potomac River, the disease has since spread to numerous locations in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
How do you prevent Potomac Horse Fever?
The vaccine provides protection and minimizes the severity of disease if a horse is infected, but does not usually completely prevent a horse from getting Potomac Horse Fever. It is recommended to try to minimize the exposure to infected insects by turning off stable lights at night in high risk areas.
What are the clinical signs of Potomac horse fever?
Clinical signs of Potomac horse fever can vary, but they generally start with mild depression and anorexia (not eating), followed by a fever ranging from 102-107 degrees Fahrenheit. Diarrhea can occur, but it develops in only about 60% of cases.
What is another name for Potomac horse fever?
The disease got its name later, in the ’70s and ’80s in Maryland, when horses along the Potomac River began coming down with what was then called “Acute Equine Diarrhea Syndrome” — or simply, “Potomac Horse Fever.” By 1984, the organism was identified as being rickettsial, and was officially classified Neorickettsia …
When to see a vet for Potomac Horse Fever?
Getting treatment early is the best chance for the survival of your horse so if you suspect PHF, see a veterinarian immediately. Potomac horse fever is a serious digestive system illness that is caused by Neorickettsia risticii (Ehrlichia risticii).
What causes Potomac Horse Fever ( PHF ) in horses?
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) is a seasonal, sporadic, but acute and potentially fatal typhlocolitis of horses caused by infection with an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacteria, Neorickettsia risticii (formerly known as Ehrlichia risticii).
Who is the author of Potomac Horse Fever?
About the author: Eleanor Lenher, DVM, is a graduate of Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and works at Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Richmond, Va. AAEP Forum article courtesy of The Horse magazine, an AAEP Media Partner. Reviewed by original author in 2016.
Is there a disease in the Potomac River?
Originally described in 1979 as a sporadic disease affecting horses residing in the eastern United States near the Potomac River, the disease has since been identified in various other geographic locations in the United States and Canada.