Wisconsin Ag Connection - State Vet Says Not Too Early to Vaccinate Horses for EEE, WNV

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State Vet Says Not Too Early to Vaccinate Horses for EEE, WNV
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/26/2015

Though the temperatures outside are still a bit cool these days, Wisconsin's state veterinarian says mosquitoes will be here soon enough spreading two diseases among horses that can be eliminated by vaccination.

"Before we see our first mosquito it's easy to forget about vaccinations against mosquito-borne diseases," says Dr. Paul McGraw of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. "We've already seen the sun emerge to warm things up and the mosquito population will multiply before you know it."

Horses require two doses of the vaccinations initially, and then boosters at least annually to fight against Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.

McGraw encourages horse owners to work with their local veterinarian to establish a vaccination program.

Both WNV and EEE are caused by viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, and both may cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Both viruses can be fatal to horses. Symptoms are similar for both diseases: depression, appetite loss, drooping eyelids and lower lip, fever, weakness, twitching, paralysis or lack of coordination, aimless wandering, circling and blindness.

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