DEFINED
Vesicular stomatitis typically starts out as a fever and then symptoms such as loss of appetite due to lesions in the mouth and sloughing off the tongue follow. Your horse may also experience lameness if his coronary band develops coronitis. Diagnostics mainly consist of serologic testing for antibodies which can identify which virus is affecting your horse. There is no exact treatment for this condition, but the disease itself is self-limiting. Most horses recover well with very little supportive care making prognosis of recovery good.
SUPPORTIVE CARE
The best way to provide supportive care is by supporting the immune system and treating the lesions as they appear.
Immune Builder – This is a feed supplement that is formulated to clear the virus from the bloodstream. It also supports the kidneys and liver during virus removal. It has both an anti-viral and anti-inflammatory components that assist in the healing process.
Equisilver - This is a chelated silver wound spray. Equisilver is different than colloidal silver. Colloidal silver is hampered being absorbed by the body due to the size of the silver partials. Chelated silver is bound by a water molecule and has great absorption. It is using extensively in equine respiratory therapy. It's capability to be absorbed deep into the sarcoid allow its natural anti-viral properties to kill over 600 pathogens within the first 5 minutes of application.
Stall Management
Healthy Stall - Healthy Stall is a perfect 3 in 1 product that provides a clean, natural environment for your horse.
Stalls and barns are never parasite free; they are the home to mites, lice, and fleas. These parasites live in the cracks, crevices, and bedding, where they come out at night to feed on the horse. Flies and mosquitoes are a constant nuisance because of the deadly viruses they carry that can affect the long-term healthy of your horse. Essential oils are used for added fly control.
PREVENTION
Fly control is the most important step and should be taken very seriously. We recommend frequent application of fly repellent approved for animals, including on the face and ears. We also advise use of barriers, such as fly sheets and face masks.
In addition, I recommend basic steps to prevent infectious disease when traveling to events with your horse. In a nutshell, these steps are:
- Separate your horse from others during the show.
- Don’t share tack or feeding, watering, and grooming equipment. Don’t tie your horse where others have been tied. Keep hands off other horses and avoid letting other people handle your horse.
- Disinfect all show and travel equipment, including trailer, before and after use.
- Frequently wash hands and use hand sanitizer.
- Segregate your traveling horse from others for a week after returning home; monitor your horse for any signs of infection or illness during this time.
- Contact your veterinarian for more information