Random horse disease: ways of infection and symptoms, treatment instructions

The illness of a beloved pet is not easy to survive. Trouble takes the owners by surprise and requires the mobilization of strength and knowledge. The accidental disease of thoroughbred horses is difficult to diagnose and can cause tremendous damage to any farm. In this situation, it is important to make a correct diagnosis in a timely manner and proceed with adequate treatment. By following the instructions of the veterinarian and the rules of prevention, you can hope for a successful outcome.

What is accidental sickness

Current illness is a dangerous and unpleasant sexually transmitted disease. The first information about the hitherto unknown illness appeared in the second half of the 19th century.The puzzled veterinarians had to puzzle over the cause of the disease for a long time. The most incredible assumptions were made. According to experts, the cause of the misfortune could be poor-quality food, lack of vitamins, overweight, an unlimited number of matings, or even chronic colds.

Only in 1894, scientists managed to find the cause of douria. This simple organism attacks the genitourinary system of the horse and parasitizes the mucous membrane of the internal organs for several months. The disease is accompanied by focal inflammation of the internal organs, paralysis of certain parts of the body and damage to the central nervous system of the horse. Accidental illness inevitably leads to the loss of offspring in a pregnant mare.

When diagnosing an illness, the animal is suspended from subsequent mating for a period of at least a year. Horses that are in herd conditions suffer the disease in a mild form. As a rule, they show only some symptoms of malaise.A quarter of herd horses are asymptomatic.

Tribal, high-bred horses are experiencing illness extremely hard. They have an acute disease. Foals rarely become infected. The parasite enters the body of babies along with mother's milk.

In the 40s of the 20th century, the disease was practically destroyed on the territory of the USSR. The All-Union Institute of Experimental Veterinary Medicine has developed a strategy to combat this insidious disease. A set of measures recommended by scientists helped save thousands of animals from forced destruction.

Today, outbreaks of the disease occur in Africa, Asia and South America. On the territory of Russia, cases of diseases have not been registered. However, the risk of accidental introduction of the disease from abroad cannot be discounted.

Pathogen

The culprit is the parasite Trypanosoma equiperdum. It is easily transmitted through the genital tract of animals during mating. Experts learned about the existence of a blood parasite in 1894. Trypanosoma is dangerous only for donkeys, horses and hybrids. Other pets are not susceptible to the pathogen. Translated from Latin, the name of the parasite sounds like "trypanosoma that spoils horses."

Trypanosoma equiperdum enters the body of an animal through sexual contact. The bulk of pathogens are concentrated in the reproductive organs, but sometimes they enter the circulatory system. Blood parasites secrete toxic substances, so the animal's body is subjected to general intoxication. Trypanosomes are well adapted to survival. They reproduce instantly, are not afraid of the cold, but die in conditions of low humidity.

Routes of infection

A horse can get sick naturally from an infected animal during mating.The parasite enters the body through seminal fluid and other secretions. Of particular danger are infected horses that carry the disease without severe symptoms. Another way of possible infection is mechanical. Trouble happens due to the negligence of a person. The source of infection can be infected bandages, tools and other items used for the procedure of artificial insemination of animals.

Symptoms of disease

Random illness develops gradually. The incubation period usually lasts 60-90 days. In cold climates, the symptoms of the disease are mild, so outbreaks are usually not recorded.

The period of development of dourine can be conditionally divided into 3 stages. They can take place in a different sequence. Sometimes a sick horse shows only 1-2 symptoms characteristic of this disease. In the absence of timely diagnosis and treatment, the animal has symptoms characteristic of each of the 3 stages of the disease.

Edema period

During this period, edema of the genital organs is observed in pets. The udder and the lower wall of the abdomen in mares increase in size. When feeling the swollen tissues, the animal does not experience pain. Ulcers and small nodes appear on the skin of the genital organs. After the disappearance of the formations, light spots remain. The mucous membrane of the genital organs is subject to the same changes. A yellowish bloody substance is secreted from the genital tract of infected animals. The pet's he alth remains normal, but sometimes there are signs of a slight fever.

Stage of skin manifestations

The appearance of skin formations is more typical for horses that are kept in stables. Ring-shaped swellings appear on the surface of the animal's body. They are known to specialists under the name "thaler plaques". Often the skin of the animal is covered with a rash.In appearance, the rash looks like hives.

Affected parts of the body become very sensitive, so the pet avoids touching. The horse is tormented by frequent urge to urinate. The animal rapidly loses weight, becomes nervous and irritable. A pregnant mare usually loses her fetus.

Period of paralysis

Symptoms characteristic of the 3rd period signal a sharp deterioration in the pet's condition. The animal is subject to paresis and paralysis of muscles and motor nerves. The horse has drooping ears, a crooked lip, or eyelid deformity.

When the nerve of the lumbar zone is affected, the muscles of the hind limbs and the croup atrophy. The horse is lame and makes crouching movements when walking. Due to the weakness of the hindquarters, the horse is constantly in a lying position, he is no longer able to rise. As a result, bedsores appear on the body of the animal.An exhausted horse is overtaken by general paralysis and, as a natural result, death.

Diagnostic Methods

Already at the stage of the appearance of swelling of the genital organs, the animal must be carefully examined to exclude the possibility of a dangerous disease. To establish a diagnosis, specialists carry out a number of activities:

1. Clinical research.
2. Serological testing method.
3. Microscopic analysis.

To detect parasites in infected individuals, scrapings from the mucous membrane of the genital organs are taken for analysis. Affected horses have low levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin, while white blood cells are elevated.

In addition to the described diagnostic methods, experts find out how the animal was infected and check the records of the mating.Horses that have previously been in contact with infected animals are subjected to a three-fold examination. Pets undergo clinical, microscopic and serological tests every 30 days.

Examined animals are divided into groups:

• sick;
• individuals suspected of being infected;
• completely he althy.

Treatment of douria

For the treatment of horses, the drug Naganin is used. Before starting therapy, the animal is weighed. Instructions for use of the drug contains information about the method of preparing a solution for intravenous administration. The dosage is calculated from the ratio of 0.01-0.15 per 1 kg of horse weight. Sovarsen, Antimosan, Fuadin are used as new generation drugs.

Basic treatment is supplemented with cardiac and maintenance medications. Sick pets are transferred to enhanced nutrition.

Prevention measures

To prevent dourine, experts follow the rules:

1. Before mating, animals are carefully examined using the method of serological analysis. Stallions are re-examined after the end of the mating period.
2. He althy stallions are given a prophylactic injection with Naganin.
3. Create points for artificial insemination of mares.
4. Stallions not suitable for breeding are castrated.
5. Adult stallions are kept separate from fertile age mares. Restrictions also apply to recently neutered animals.

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