Potomac Horse Fever
July 6, 2009
This insect-borne equine disease is a late-summer danger across North America.
Can you spot the signs of Potomac horse fever? Do you know how this devastating disease is contracted? Learn everything you need to do about Potomac horse fever in AQHA’s FREE report, Potomac Horse Fever.
Potomac horse fever gained notoriety when an outbreak shook the Potomac River region of Maryland in 1979. Transmitted by an insect fector, Potomac horse fever results in intestinal distress that can lead to death in up to 30 percent of cases. Potomac horse fever has been identified in 43 states, three Canadian provinces, South America and Europe.
What can you do to help your horse avoid this dangerous and uncomfortable disease?
Download your copy of Potomac Horse Fever today and arm yourself with knowledge that will help your horse stay healthy.
Many horses suffer fever at some point in their lives. But did you know that the first indicator of Potomac horse fever is a fever ranging from 102 to 107 that comes and goes? There are many other symptoms you can watch out for, including dehydration, depression and swelling of certain body parts.
If left untreated, Potomac horse fever can send a horse into shock and ultimately death. Other ailments caused by Potomac horse fever are laminitis and abortion in pregnant mares.
In the FREE Potomac Horse Fever report, you’ll learn:
- Exactly what Potomac horse fever is
- How horses contract it
- Symptoms to look for
- Treatment options
- Prevention tips
- And more
This five-page, full-color report also contains a personal story of one family who fought to save their beloved horse that was infected with Potomac horse fever while on a trail ride.
Download the Potomac Horse Fever report for FREE!
Just enter your name and email address below.
Fast facts about Potomac horse fever:
- Caused by the bacteria Neorickettsia risticci
- Most commonly occurs from July through October
- Treatments include antibiotics, fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy and NSAIDs for pain relief
- A vaccine is available
- The greatest cause of death associated with PHF is secondary laminitis and subsequent complications
Get your free copy of Potomac Horse Fever for the full story.
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7 Comments on “Potomac Horse Fever”
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January 28th, 2010 at 6:02 am
[...] Can you spot the signs of Potomac horse fever or know how this devastating disease is contracted? Learn everything you need to know in AQHA’s FREE report, Potomac Horse Fever. [...]
January 28th, 2010 at 9:03 am
I learned about this nasty fever in the summer of 2009. One of my favorite Stallions became sick as a dog, just overnight! Thanks to my local vet. he started him on fluids & antibiotics & then I rushed him to the hospital. That was only the beginning, his IV was infected & we almost lost him due to those complications. We were months IV’ing and hand feeding.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:57 am
[...] Potomac Horse Fever: Learn everything you need to know about this devastating disease to keep your horses safe and healthy. [...]
July 22nd, 2010 at 5:40 am
I just bought my 8 year old a horse this spring for her birthday. i have not had a horse since i was young, my aunt always had horses. We live in upstate NY, when our 9 year old paint started acting funny we had no clue what was going on because in all the years my aunt has had horses wee have never seen this awful sickness.He started acting funny on Saturday, staying away from the herd, not eating much(still grazing a little),warm to the touch, eyes looked like he was drunk,loose bowel. We couldn’t understand why in a herd of 5 he was the only one acting funny.By Wednesday he has projectile diahreah.Time to call the vet, thank god we did cause he has potomac fever. This is such a scary thing for them to go through because even though treated they can get laminitous. Hopefully we can see a better vaccine in the near future, the ones they have are so hard to get ahold of in NY. My aunt has been trying since early May to get enough to treat all 7 horses, finding one here and one there, now we find out that you need to give them a booster as well.
August 4th, 2010 at 8:20 am
It has been 3 years since we lost our horse to this misdiagnosed illness and I am still saddened and angry. Everyone needs to know that vaccination for PHF is not always effective so should never be dismissed as a cause for illness. Also, remember that PHF symptoms can vary in every horse. For example, our horse initially had a high fever over 104 and diarrhea but it was not projectile, so the vets ruled out PHF. Huge mistake. He had sunken eyes, looked depressed, and was obviously dehydrated with very dark urine. However, he was only put on oral antibiotics and Bute. No IV hydration either. After 4 straight days of all of this, his fever finally broke but it was too late. Our amazing horse had foundered in all four feet straight down and had to be put down. We were first time horse owners, which is not an excuse, and we knew so little and trusted too much. Lessons learned from this tragedy; Know your horse and trust your instincts! If you feel something is not right than it is not right. Ask questions and demand answers from your Vet without being intimidated.
August 5th, 2010 at 4:03 am
[...] of Potomac horse fever? Learn everything you need to do about Potomac horse fever in AQHA’s FREE Potomac Horse Fever [...]
August 12th, 2010 at 4:01 am
[...] ill than their mature counterparts, the odds that their colic was caused by a strangulating small intestinal lesion, a condition that requires surgery, were twice that of the mature [...]