Potomac Horse Fever Laminitis

Potomac horse fever is caused by neorickettsia risticii formerly known as ehrlichia risticii a gram negative obligate and intracellular bacterial pathogen that infects the small and large intestines and results in acute colitis which is one of the principle signs of phf.

Potomac horse fever laminitis.

High fever or illness. About 40 percent develop acute laminitis a potentially crippling inflammation of the connective tissues inside the hoof. 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. Toxins released within the horse s system.

Any illness that causes high fever or serious metabolic disturbances has the potential to cause laminitis e g potomac horse fever. For example the concussion produced. The infection of enterocytes of the small and large intestine results in acute colitis which is one of the principal clinical signs. Recovery of potomac horse fever in horses if your horse gets treatment within 24 36 hours of symptoms the prognosis is good providing laminitis is not involved.

Small horses little shetland ponies are very susceptible to laminitis and are most likely going to develop this while suffering from potomac fever. Laminitis usually presents itself early in the course of the disease so this can help your vet to diagnose phf but the onset of laminitis is thought of as a complication as mentioned above. The first sign of illness is high fever as much as 107 degrees fahrenheit with a lack of appetite and lethargy. Potomac horse fever phf is an acute enterocolitis syndrome producing mild colic fever and diarrhea in horses of all ages as well as abortion in pregnant mares.

The disease is seasonal occurring between late spring and early fall. Abortion in pregnant mares. Potomac horse fever phf is a disease that affects horses during warm weather months occasionally causing outbreaks of diarrheal illness in horses that are kept near rivers streams or in. Severe injury or systemic illness such as pleuropneumonia or potomac horse fever puts horses at risk of laminitis as a complication.

However with laminitis or if your horse does not respond well to treatment chances of a full recovery are decreased. Over the next day or two horses with phf may also develop potentially severe complications. Potomac horse fever is caused by neorickettsia risticii formerly ehrlichia risticii. Excessive concussion to the feet often referred to as road founder.

The causative agent is neorickettsia risticii.