EQUINE | CPD Article
Definitive diagnostic features
• Virus isolation.
• Serology.
• RT-PCR.
• rRT-PCR.
• RT-LAMP.
Differential diagnosis
•
Other causes of sudden death such as toxins,
anthrax.
• Babesiosis.
•
Equine infectious anemia.
•
Equine viral arteritis.
•
Hendra virus.
•
Purpura hemorrhagica.
•
Equine morbillivirus pneumonia.
Gross autopsy findings
Pulmonary form
• Pulmonary edema of gelatinous consistency.
• Pleural effusion.
• Trachea/bronchi filled with froth.
• Interstitial and subpleural edema in more prolonged
cases.
• Enlarged and edematous thoracic and abdominal
lymph nodes.
• Congestion of renal cortex and subcapsular
hemorrhages in the spleen.
Cardiac form
• Extensive edema of the head, neck and shoulders,
with yellow gelatinous infiltrate in subcutaneous
and intramuscular fascia.
• Occasional edema of ventral brisket, abdomen and
rump.
• Myocardial lesions, including hemorrhages,
hydropericardium.
• Lungs normal.
Mixed form
• Combination of the above findings.
• In all forms, there may also be evidence of gastritis,
hyperemia and petechial hemorrhage in small and
large intestines.
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Treatment
Initial symptomatic treatment
• No specific treatment for AHS.
• NSAIDs for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and
antipyretic effects.
• Corticosteroids for potent anti-inflammatory effects,
stabilization of cell membranes and preservation of
vascular membrane integrity.
• Antibiotics for prevention of secondary bacterial
infection, in particular bacterial pneumonia.
• Crystalloid and colloid intravenous fluids; DMSO.
Standard treatment
• Strict rest.
• Good husbandry.
Monitoring
• Twice daily monitoring of body temperature.
Prevention
Control
• Notifiable disease in the EU and USA.
• In Africa, attenuated vaccines are used where
endemic.
• Control of insect vectors:
○ ○ Stable animals in screened buildings at night
(from dawn to dusk).
○ ○ Smokes/smudges/insecticidal
devices
to
• Equine Health Update •