Potomac Horse Fever Confirmed in Washington Horse

The Spokane County horse had returned from a trail ride in Idaho four weeks prior.
A horse at a private facility in Spokane County tested positive for Potomac horse fever and was euthanized.

The Washington State Veterinarian Office reported on Sept. 19 that a horse at a private facility in Spokane County tested positive for Potomac horse fever and was euthanized after being referred to the Washington State University veterinary hospital. The horse had returned from a trail ride in Idaho four weeks prior.

EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.

About Potomac Horse Fever

Potomac horse fever is caused by Neorickettsia risticii, an organism found in parasites, called flukes (flatworms), that infects aquatic snails and insects. Horses can be infected by ingesting insects carrying Potomac horse fever or by drinking water containing N. risticii. Additionally, horses can get Potomac horse fever by inadvertently consuming infected insects or parasites in feed, water, or on pasture.

The incubation period for Potomac horse fever is between one and three weeks, and the mortality rate is up to 30%. While vaccines against Potomac horse fever are not 100% effective, vaccinated horses tend to have fewer and less severe clinical signs.

Most Potomac horse fever cases are reported in July through September, and outbreaks tend to be seasonal.

Horse owners and caretakers, especially those who keep their horses near creeks and rivers, should watch for signs including:

  • Diarrhea
  • Colic
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Toxic shock
  • Dehydration
  • Abortion in pregnant mares
  • Laminitis
  • Mild to severe fever.


SHARE THIS STORY
CATEGORIES
TAGS
RELATED ARTICLES
Horses in the stable
14 Texas Horses Test Positive for EIA
Silhouette of a beautiful Arabian horse against sun shining thro
WNV Confirmed in Michigan Gelding
Horse in a stall
Michigan Gelding Euthanized After Contracting EEE
horse in stable
Paso Fino Stallion in Florida Tests Positive for WNV
EDCC HEALTH ALERTS
Don’t miss an important EDCC Health Alert! Get alerts delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for Practical Horseman’s newsletter.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.