Rabies in horses: 21 cases (1970-1990).
The records of 21 horses with rabies were reviewed. Results of fluorescent antibody testing for rabies antigen in brain tissue were positive in each case. According to the histories, 5 of the horses had been vaccinated for rabies between 4 to 24 months prior to the onset of the clinical signs. Bite wounds were not observed on any of the horses, and exposure to a suspected rabid animal was witnessed in only 5 cases. Clinical signs of disease at the time of initial examination included ataxia and paresis of the hindquarters (9/21, 43%), lameness (5/21, 24%), recumbency (3/21, 14%), pharyngeal paralysis (2/21, 10%), and colic (2/21, 10%). The major clinical signs observed over the course of hospitalization included recumbency (21/21; 100%), hyperesthesia (17/21; 81%), loss of tail and anal sphincter tone (12/21; 57%), fever (11/21; 52%), and ataxia and paresis of the hindquarters (11/21; 52%). Mean survival time after the onset of clinical signs was 4.47 days (range, 1 to 7 days). Supportive treatment, given to 9 horses, had no effect on survival time and did not correlate with the detection of negri bodies at necropsy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained from 6 horses and was determined to be abnormal in 5. The most common abnormality was a slightly high total cell count (5/6), with a predominance of lymphocytes (4/6). The CSF total protein concentration was high in only 2 horses. At necropsy, there was gross evidence of diffuse brain edema, meningeal congestion, and focal areas of hemorrhage in 5 horses (24%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Green
S L
SL
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada.
Smith
L L
LL
Vernau
W
W
Beacock
S M
SM
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D011818:Rabies / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary