When Horses get the Flu: Equine
Influenza
When it comes right down to it, taking care of your animals
isn’t always going to prevent them from getting sick. Sometimes
animals, no matter how well they are cared for, simply fall ill,
and when this happens it is important that you figure out what is
wrong and get a vet to treat them right away before it is too
late.
A horse is going to be susceptible to equine influenza in much
the same way that any animal is going to be able to come down with
the flu. The equine influenza can pass from horse to horse quite
easily, and your horse can get it from other sources, such as food
that is contaminated, or other things as well. So, you can’t always
protect your horse from equine influenza, but there are things that
you can do to make sure that they recover.
First of all, it is important that you are always paying close
attention to your horse and how he is acting. This is the first
step in making sure that he doesn’t get sick, because you are going
to be able to tell the minute that he isn’t’ feeling well. You
should know your horse very well, and you should know his general
patterns of behavior and the things that he does. You are going to
want to be sure to watch him very closely and to make sure that he
continues to do the things that come naturally to him, and that his
behavior doesn’t change.
If he is sluggish, or if he doesn’t eat or drink like he usually
does, you are going to want to call attention to this. These are
things that indicate your horse might be sick, so be sure that you
and the other people who care for your horse are paying very close
attention to your horse and everything about him.
Next, you want to call your vet as soon as you notice that
something is wrong with your horse. With horses, sicknesses like
equine influenza come on very quickly, and your horse can get very
sick very fast, so you have to be sure that you are calling your
vet as soon as you think something might be wrong. It is simply the
best way to make sure that your horse has every chance to get
healthy. A vet is going to be able to treat equine influenza in the
best way possible so call him if you suspect anything.
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