Rabies in Horses

Rabies is a serious illness that attacks the nervous system. It is caused by the rabies virus. Rabies mostly affects meat-eating animals and bats, but any mammal, including horses, can get it. Once a horse shows signs of rabies, the disease is almost always fatal.

Rabies exists worldwide, although some countries and islands stay free of it because they have strict programs that control what types of animals may be imported. In many areas today, rabies is more common in wild animals than in pets or farm animals.

Rabies usually spreads through the bite of an infected animal. The virus is in the saliva of the infected animal, and when that animal bites a horse, the virus enters the horse's body through the wound. Signs may not appear for days or even months.

The first signs of rabies are often hard to notice. An infected horse might seem nervous, weak, or act strangely. After that, the disease usually gets worse very quickly and can lead to paralysis (inability to move) and death.

There are two main forms of rabies in horses:

• Furious form: The horse becomes extremely upset, agitated, and dangerous. It might roll on the ground, which can look like colic. It might bite, strike, or become impossible to handle. It can also injure itself.

• Paralytic form: The horse might have trouble swallowing, drool heavily, and might not be able to swallow or move its mouth. Its lower jaw may hang down. Paralysis spreads fast, and death can happen within hours. This form is especially dangerous to people who try to look in the horse’s mouth or give medicine without wearing gloves.

Rabies is hard to diagnose early. A definite diagnosis can only be made through lab testing after the animal dies.

There is no cure for rabies. If a horse shows signs of the disease, it is usually euthanized, and then its body is tested for the virus.

Prevention is very important. Rabies vaccines for horses are safe and effective. Adult horses are often given yearly boosters, but a veterinarian should decide the best schedule for vaccination.

It is possible, though rare, for a horse to spread rabies to a person. Any bite from a horse or exposure to a horse with rabies should be taken seriously. A healthy horse that bites a person is usually watched for 10 days. If it becomes sick, it should be euthanized and tested for rabies.

People who work with animals, animal control officers, or lab workers who do rabies testing should consider getting vaccinated before exposure.