This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly.
Definition of Potomac Horse Fever
Potomac Horse Fever is caused by Neorickettsia risticii (formerly Ehrlichia risticii). Originally described in 1979 as a sporadic disease affecting horses residing in the eastern United States near the Potomac River, the disease has since been identified in various other geographic locations in the United States and Canada. The disease is seasonal, occurring between late spring and early fall in temperate areas. Potomac Horse Fever is NOT a contagious disease – so one horse cannot give it to another and it cannot be spread from horse to horse.
Symptoms of Potomac Horse Fever
Rolling
Lethargy
Underweight
Low appetite
Swelling
Pawing
Fever
High Heart Rate
Infrequent
No passing
Dark
Dry and tacky
Prolonged Refill
Fecal water
Diarrhea
Sunken
Dull
Depressed
Common in
Summer months
Stagnant water
Moving water
Bog
Exclusive in
Uruguay
Brazil
USA
Canada
India
France
Netherlands
Treatment of Potomac Horse Fever
Treatment involves intravenous antibiotics and supportive care (i.e. intravenous fluids, anti-inflammatories, ice on the feet, etc., depending on the severity of the horse’s illness).
Prevention of Potomac Horse Fever
Vaccination provides protection and minimizes the severity of disease if a horse is infected, but does not usually completely prevent a horse from getting Potomac Horse Fever. It is recommended to try to minimize the exposure to infected insects by turning off stable lights at night in high risk areas.
How Happie can help you manage your horse's health
Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.
With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.
The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.