Post by brs on Jul 4, 2007 11:24:34 GMT
I had some shetlands come down with the 'virus' at the Show. At the time it was advised to treat with caution but probably nothing to worry about i.e mild respiratory virus.
One of my ponies affected by it was showing no signs of improvement last week and I had tests done by my own vets in order to get a diagnosis and therefor the right treatment. Since the blood samples taken by the show vets had not at that point been sent away due to th RHASS disputing paying the lab fee.
My pony was swabbed (nasal and gutteral pouch) and blood tested for numerous things. Results came in this morning that the nasal swab showed positive for a strain of influenza.
There is no actuall treatment of the virus just the symptoms, one of my ponies has a secondary infection as a result (due to a poor immune system post grass sickness) but is responding to antibiotics.
The plan here is that all nine of my ponies will be swabbed here today and our land quarantined, repeat swabs will be done and quarantine will be lifted only when all 9 swabs come back clear.
This is the recommended management for anything that may have it.
This is not aimed at scaremongering just spreading awareness. If you or someone you know had horses at the show and they show symptoms of cough, snotty nose, temperature or general listlessness please isolate that horse and anything that has been in direct contact and seek veterinary advice. With the majority of cases it will just run its course but I'm sure we are all aware that flu can be quite serious especailly in animals of a compromised or under developed immune system. So please lets all be sensible about it.
One of my ponies affected by it was showing no signs of improvement last week and I had tests done by my own vets in order to get a diagnosis and therefor the right treatment. Since the blood samples taken by the show vets had not at that point been sent away due to th RHASS disputing paying the lab fee.
My pony was swabbed (nasal and gutteral pouch) and blood tested for numerous things. Results came in this morning that the nasal swab showed positive for a strain of influenza.
There is no actuall treatment of the virus just the symptoms, one of my ponies has a secondary infection as a result (due to a poor immune system post grass sickness) but is responding to antibiotics.
The plan here is that all nine of my ponies will be swabbed here today and our land quarantined, repeat swabs will be done and quarantine will be lifted only when all 9 swabs come back clear.
This is the recommended management for anything that may have it.
This is not aimed at scaremongering just spreading awareness. If you or someone you know had horses at the show and they show symptoms of cough, snotty nose, temperature or general listlessness please isolate that horse and anything that has been in direct contact and seek veterinary advice. With the majority of cases it will just run its course but I'm sure we are all aware that flu can be quite serious especailly in animals of a compromised or under developed immune system. So please lets all be sensible about it.