Viral and bacterial encephalitis in equids

摘要

Encephalopathies are rare even in exotic countries but many of the infectious diseases are a serious threat both to the affected horse or donkey and the in contact animals. Some, such as rabies and West Nile fever, also have significant zoonotic implications.The signs of encephalitis are similar regardless of the cause but the time vs. signs plot [i.e. the rate of change of the signs with respect to time] is usually very different. The signs of infection are entirely dependent on the components of the central nervous system that are involved.The critical issue when presented with a horse, donkey or mule with CNS signs is to consider the more serious conditions immediately and unless and until these can be eliminated, to treat the case accordingly.