We often picture unnaturally aggressive skunks, raccoons or dogs foaming at the mouth when we think of rabies. Although it isn’t widely found among horses in the United States, veterinarians diagnose about 40 cases per year. Betsy Greene relates that the potential risk of human exposure from even one infected horse is concerning.
Source: The Horse, April 2019. Link. Greene says infected animals show signs anywhere from two to nine weeks following exposure and, once signs appear, the animal invariably dies within three to 10 days. In more aggressive cases death can come within hours.
The nonspecific early signs of infection can delay correct diagnosis and potentially expose handlers, caretakers, owners, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and anyone else who handles the animal. Even though the chance of your horse contracting rabies is small, the implications of a rabies infection that occurs in your barn are significant.”
Also see: Search Results for: equine rabies, Animal Health Digest. Link.
INSIGHTS: Share this a lot with animal owners. In the life cycle of common rabies hosts such as, raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats, they expand their ranges to feed newly born young.