This infectious disease, also known as contagious equine anemia, is usually fatal and is caused by a virus that affects only horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. The disease is widespread worldwide, but occurs only sporadically in Germany. It is a notifiable animal disease.
The pathogen that causes EIA is a virus with numerous variants. The virus is often transmitted by large blood-sucking insects such as horseflies or black flies, but also by mosquitoes, although the virus can only survive in insects for about half an hour. Transmission over long distances is therefore not possible. This explains why the disease is more common in swampy or riverine areas and during the warm summer months, but remains limited to certain regions. The English name "swamp fever" is also derived from this regional concentration.
Infected animals excrete the pathogen in bodily secretions such as blood, milk, and semen. Direct transmission from animal to animal is therefore possible with close contact, but is rather rare. However, the virus can be transmitted via veterinary instruments or care equipment contaminated with blood. After infection, it only takes a few days for the virus to multiply in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. The virus invades red blood cells and special defense cells, allowing it to spread throughout the entire organism via the blood. The attachment of defense proteins to the red blood cells causes them to be destroyed, leading to the anemia that gives the disease its name.
By continuously changing its surface structure, the virus evades the body's immune system. Once infected, a horse remains a carrier of the virus for life and is a potential source of infection, even if it shows no symptoms of the disease.
The time from infection to the onset of the first signs of illness (incubation period) varies between a few days and several weeks.
The acute form of EIA is characterized by sudden high fever, weakness, tremors, water retention (edema), and unsteady gait. Characteristic signs of infection are pinpoint hemorrhages on the underside of the tongue, in the mucous membrane of the mouth, and in the conjunctiva of the horse's eyes. Anemia is not detectable at first and usually develops later. During this acute phase of the infection, the animal may die after only a few days.
The subacute form is much more common and manifests itself in repeated fever spikes with a generally less severe clinical picture. Affected horses show typical anemia, apathy, emaciation, and often edema on the limbs and lower abdomen. This form can progress in several worsening phases and also lead to death or develop into the chronic form.
In the chronic form, there may be several months between individual, less severe fever spikes, during which the infected horses appear healthy or show signs of fatigue, emaciation, poor performance, and anemia of varying severity. During an acute flare-up, this form of the disease can also lead to the death of the animal.
In some cases, a so-called latent (= inconspicuous) infection can develop, which means that the pathogen remains in the animal but no signs of disease appear. These animals carry the virus for life and are considered potential sources of infection. Certain factors can cause the disease to flare up again temporarily.
It is difficult for the attending veterinarian to make a definitive diagnosis based on clinical symptoms alone. The symptoms of the disease are non-specific and can also occur in various other diseases. Changes in the blood count indicate EIA, but cannot provide a definitive diagnosis.
In order to make a definitive diagnosis, it is essential to perform the Coggins test. This laboratory diagnostic test can detect antibodies against all strains of the EIA virus approximately three weeks after infection with a diagnostic accuracy of around 95%.
Due to the obligation to report the disease, its control in Germany is regulated by a legal ordinance stipulating that infected animals may not be treated or vaccinated. In the event of an outbreak of EIA, a restricted zone with a radius of one kilometer must be established around the affected farm and animals that are proven to be infected must be killed.
There is no effective vaccine. To reduce the spread of the disease, many countries only allow the import of solipeds if they have been tested negative for EIA.
It's wonderful that you're thinking about adopting a dog from abroad, because you want to save a life, and that's great! But please be prepared that your new dog may not immediately show you love and gratitude. You should also ask yourself whether you might want to give one of the many dogs in a US animal shelter a chance. Rescuing a dog from abroad also involves risks and problems.
Surgery describes the treatment of diseases and injuries through mechanical intervention on the body. This usually takes place under various forms of anesthesia (numbing). During the procedure, bodily functions and the depth of anesthesia are monitored using modern equipment.
Gynecology and andrology are separate fields of medicine. Gynecology deals with the female reproductive organs, while andrology deals with the male reproductive organs. Both fields cover diseases of the reproductive organs and reproductive medicine. Obstetrics is a branch of gynecology.
With increasing mobility, open borders, and a wide range of travel options, this insidious infectious disease has also become more prevalent in our part of the world. Many dog owners want to have their four-legged friends with them on vacation and therefore travel south with their dogs. More and more rescue dogs are also being brought to Germany from southern Europe and rehomed here, with the result that diseases can also be imported.
Like many other pets, our dogs can also suffer from skin fungus. Skin fungal infections occur mainly in young animals, those with weakened immune systems, or those that have been affected by parasites or other diseases. However, the disease is not only a danger to your dog, as many skin fungi are also transmissible to humans and are therefore zoonoses. Elderly and weakened people are particularly at risk of developing a dangerous fungal infection.
Skin fungal infections are also common in chinchillas. The most common are ringworm and bald patch, which cause changes to the fur and skin of chinchillas. Skin fungal infections are not life-threatening, but can lead to persistent problems due to their contagious nature. Skin fungi can also be transmitted to or from humans to animals, which is referred to as a zoonosis.
The bit attached to the bridle transmits your rein aids to your horse and is therefore a central link in rider-horse communication. As the horse's mouth is a particularly sensitive area, it is important that the bit suits you both. Choosing the right bit depends on the level of training of the rider and horse, the type of riding, the anatomy of the horse's mouth, the temperament and also the preferences of the horse.
Similar to humans, dogs of middle to advanced age can also develop a sugar metabolism disorder. Canine diabetes is the second most common hormone-related disease in dogs. The first noticeable symptoms are increased thirst and increased urination. If diabetes is detected early, the disease can be well controlled with lifelong insulin therapy. However, certain emergencies can also occur in the context of diabetes, requiring immediate veterinary treatment.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant skin tumor that occurs in cats mainly in the mouth, ears, and nose. Starting in the uppermost layer of skin and mucous membrane, the squamous epithelium, this tumor spreads very quickly and aggressively. Cats of all breeds and ages can be affected, although older cats are more susceptible.
In dogs, as in humans, the anterior cruciate ligament often tears. This strong ligament connects the thigh bone to the shin bone in the knee joint and prevents the knee from overextending or twisting. However, while cruciate ligament tears in humans are usually traumatic in nature (caused by sports accidents of all kinds), in dogs the ligament gradually breaks down over a longer period of time (degeneration).
What lies behind this almost unpronounceable name? Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis is a hereditary, incurable metabolic disease that primarily affects Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, and Appaloosas, whose bloodlines all trace back to the Quarter Horse stallion "Impressive."
Gastroenterology is the branch of internal medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This also includes the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
