Ticks Source of Horse Disease

Equine piroplasmosis - it's a mouthful to say but it is something that especially those in Texas need to become acquainted with. It is a tick-transmitted disease and according to the Texas Animal Health Commission it has been found on a south Texas ranch.

This is a disease that can affect any equine so not only horses but mules, donkeys and zebras can be affected. Poor appetite, weight loss and death can occur but some infected animals may show none of these signs. There is also the possibility for cruelty accusations for horses being in poor condition, without diagnosis of a medical reason for it

Symptoms can show 7-22 days after exposure and include loss of appetite, fever, weakness, anemia, jaundice, swollen abdomen, rough hair coats, colic, constipation and labored breeding. Sharing needles, bedding or hay that may have ticks in it and in utero transmission can also happen.

There have been previous cases of the disease in Missouri, Kansas and Florida. Animals may survive the initial phase and carry the parasite that causes the disease for extended periods of time. Up to 15 tick species can carry it. Babesia equi and Babesia caballi are parasitic organisms that cause the disease.

There is no vaccination and treatments are ineffective. Prevention of the disease involves parasite control to keep ticks from contacting the horses and prevent transfer of blood from one horse to another.

Dr. Bob Hillman, state veterinarian said in a news release "Equine owners may want to consult with their veterinarians for recommendations on preventing tick infestation. If equine animals exhibit signs of illness, a veterinarian should be contacted, so appropriate samples may be collected for laboratory testing Currently, we have no indication that this tick-transmitted disease has occurred at other site in Texas, but maintaining vigilance for this blood parasite is necessary in determining the extent of this disease situation."

Louisiana horse owners have been put on alert for the disease also. The initial ranch in Kleberg county Texas was a closed herd and of 97 horses 69 showed positive, with further tests showing 101 EP positive horses. Ticks ingest blood from infected horses then bite an uninfected one, much as mosquitoes spread west nile virus. Some horses from the ranch were sold to Louisiana and are being tested.

Good farm biosecurity is needed as always and horse owners should be vigilant when at shows, sales or other places where horses may come in contact with each other and/or with the ticks that spread the disease.