SARAH: My vet has recently told me
that she thinks one of our horses has neurologic EHV-1.
I don't know very much about this,
but I was told it could spread.
Are my other horses in danger?
What can I do for my current horse with this condition?
Is euthanasia the best option?
DR LYDIA GRAY: Wow.
So, with these we like to have a lot of fun,
you know, but this is a really serious topic.
SARAH: Tough one.
DR LYDIA GRAY: And I feel bad for this person.
EHV-1, or Equine Herpes Virus-1 is a serious condition.
And it's-- what happens is, there's three presentations,
or ways this disease can present.
And so respiratory is probably most common.
And then abortion storms, they call them,
when a bunch of big-- like a broodmare farm,
a bunch of mares have this.
And then rarely, but enough that we take notice now,
they have this neurological presentation.
And it starts out with a fever.
There can be some respiratory signs.
I don't know what her horse had.
But the neurologic signs are-- the scientific word is ataxia,
but it means wobbly or uncoordinated.
And when that happens, I mean, it's
a reportable disease in states.
And so you tell your vet, and he tells the state vet,
and that barn is probably now under quarantine.
And they typically don't release the quarantine
till 21, maybe 28, days.
They have to make sure that the horses don't-- they're not
actively shedding it anymore.
And so they do nasal swab testing, blood testing,
and follow the disease progression around.
Within the barn, even, they'll quarantine the horses
that have clinical signs, from the ones that
have positive test, from the ones that are absolutely
100% normal.
So this is-- we always talk about, work closely
with your vet.
But this is one where there's no option.
I mean, you do exactly what your vet and the state vet
tells you.
And as far as the quality of life issue,
that's a decision that you have to make personally.
And your vet weighs in on, and friends and family.
And that sort of thing, so.
I don't have a percentage number for the ones that
develop clinical signs of neurology, and then, you know,
how many need really euthanasia.
But there is a link between the seriousness
of the neurological signs.
Like if you're just a little wobbly, that's one thing.
But if you're down and can't get up,
that's much more significant.
SARAH: Sure.
DR LYDIA GRAY: So those are the kind
of things that your veterinarian will
weigh into the decision and the advice.
SARAH: Yeah, and continue to evaluate the horse
and, you know, give you an updated prognosis.
DR LYDIA GRAY: And, of course, treat them.
They treat the signs.
So they'll try to reduce the fever.
They'll try to calm down the inflammation
in the nervous system.
So they'll do things to help the horse.
They'll probably give fluids to make sure
that the horse stays hydrated, and painkillers,
and that sort of thing.
SARAH: With EHV-1 and, you know, kind of herpes outbreaks
in general, it sounds like we're seeing-- at least me
personally, even on my own just Facebook news
feed-- more news of horse show grounds being closed and things
like that, with more outbreaks.
And I recently saw USEF updated their vaccination requirements.
Can you talk a little bit about that?
DR LYDIA GRAY: Well, it's called new USEF vaccine
rule, because they didn't used to have it.
This is the first year that it's been around, and a rule,
and enforced.
And I think their year starts December 1,
so we're six months in.
But you have to have proof that your horse has been vaccinated
with influenza and rhinopneumonitis-- which
is the other name for EHV-- within six months of entering
the show grounds.
SARAH: Mm-hm.
Because it is, as you were saying,
it's something that once it happens is so serious.
You know, that people are trying to be more proactive.
DR LYDIA GRAY: And then it's spread from horse to horse.
And co-mingling and stress seems to activate
shedding of the virus.
SARAH: Which is a great description of a show ground.
DR LYDIA GRAY: Exactly.
SARAH: Co-mingling, stressed horses.
Yeah.