Similar to other animals, horses are also prone to diseases and infections. But, most of these can be preventable with proper vaccinations. So, it is essential to follow proper vaccination schedule to prevent those most common horse disease symptoms.
Here are the most common diseases and their symptoms:
Tetanus: It is a kind of bacteria enters into the body at the sight of wound. Symptoms include:
- Early signs of colic
- Stiffness
- Spasms in neck, jaw, back legs and muscles surrounding the wound
- During severe cases, stiffness extends to the front legs and will develop labored breathing
Rabies: It is highly deadly disease of the central nervous system. It causes:
- Disorientation
- Excitability
- Increased saliva
- Running blindly
Equine influenza: It is an upper respiratory disease, which is similar to flu in humans. The symptoms include:
- Cough
- Nasal discharge
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
COPD: It is a lung disease, which is similar to asthma in humans. The horse disease symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Lack of energy
- Weight loss
Strangles: It is one of those highly contagious horse diseases that spread quickly through out a herd. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They include:
- Nasal discharge
- Fast breathing
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Lymph nodes swelling
Cushing’s disease: It affects endocrine system. There is no cure for this disease. Taking regular medications help to control the symptoms. Symptoms include:
- Increased appetite
- Increased urination
- Increased water intake
- Weight loss, in spite of reduced appetite
Botulism: It is one of the most common diseases with all warm blooded animals. Symptoms include:
- Interrupted nerve conduction to muscles
- Paralysis
