Help protect other competitors, animals from
this deadly disease
Before you hit the show circuit this season,
be sure to do your part to keep horses, other animals and
competitors safe by including a rabies vaccination at your
pre-event health exam. Vaccinations can do more than just
help horses — they can help protect horse owners from disease,
too.
“Owners sometimes forget diseases that affect
their horses or cattle may also affect anyone that has contact
with their animal,” says April Knudson, DVM, manager, Veterinary
Services, Merial. “In fact, cattle or horses infected with
some diseases, like rabies, can potentially expose their human
handlers, veterinary professionals or even spectators at an
event or show.”1
In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) notified more than 150,000 people who attended
the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration of potential
rabies exposure after a case was confirmed during the event.
Although no human cases resulted, thousands of people were
at risk.2
More recently, the Missouri Department of
Health and Senior Services notified people that attended the
2008 Missouri State Fair of possible rabies exposure when
a horse shown at the fair died from a confirmed case of rabies.3
Transmitted through the saliva of infected
animals — including common wildlife like skunks, raccoons,
foxes and bats — rabies is 100 percent fatal for horses and
other animals, and nearly always fatal for humans.1
“You may not even be aware that animals are
infected until it’s too late,” Dr. Knudson says. “It can be
hard to tell if horses or cattle have been bitten by an infected
animal as the wound may be very small.4 Additionally, rabies
can be very difficult to diagnose because the disease can
display a wide array of clinical signs.”5
Clinical signs of rabies can include depression,
lack of coordination and aggressive behavior,1 or more obscure
signs, such as lameness or colic.5
“Being away from stable mates and the noise
and activity of horse shows or events may cause some horses
to be nervous or upset, making it even more difficult to recognize
rabies,” Dr. Knudson says. “What’s more, if a horse has been
infected, any person that comes in contact with that horse
— whether it’s the horse owner or a person attending the event
or show — could be in danger of contracting the disease.”
Currently, there are no documented cases of
horse-to-human rabies transmission,1 but the danger still
exists, Dr. Knudson adds.
Dr. Knudson says horse owners should ask their
veterinarian about a vaccine that is not only proven to be
effective, but also protects horses quickly and has a long
duration of immunity.
IMRAB® Brand Vaccines are trusted and
proven for rabies prevention with more than 400 million doses
sold and more than 20 years of use. IMRAB is approved for
use in six species and is available in combination with Equine
POTOMAVAC™ + IMRAB to help prevent Potomac horse fever and
rabies.
“It’s incredibly important to be sure horses
are vaccinated against rabies,” Dr. Knudson adds. “Vaccinating
horses for rabies can help to keep everyone from horse owner
to spectator safe.”
