Equine Science & Technology Unit Title: Equine Diseases CIP: 020221-07 Instructor: Objectives: After completing this unit of instruction, students will be able to: A. List, identify, and describe equine diseases; B. List the normal temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate for a horse; C. Explain the difference between natural and acquired immunity; and D. Explain the two divisions of acquired immunity. Click here for this lesson s PowerPoint presentation Equine Science & Technology Lesson Plan Library Page 1 of 9
Interest Approach: Have the students take out a piece of paper. Write a definition of immunity. Select some of the definitions as a basis for a discussion on the importance of immunity. Curriculum & Instruction Curriculum A. List, identify, and describe equine diseases. Anthrax (Splenic Fever) An acute infectious disease affecting horses and other warmblooded animals. Horses usually contract the disease by ingestion of the soil, vegetation, or water contaminated with bacterial spores. Identified by a microscopic examination of the blood, in which will be found Bacilli anthracis. The first indication of the disease may be the presence of severe symptoms of colic accompanied by high temperature, loss of appetite, muscular weakness, depression, etc. Disease can be prevented by immunization. Instruction PowerPoint presentation: 07 Equine Diseases.ppt A1. Lecture and discussion with PowerPoint presentation. Diarrhea in Foals Diarrhea is one of the most common disorders in foals. Can be caused by: mare s first heat after foaling, dietary changes, parasites, and infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses. The symptoms and signs of foal diarrhea are depression, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. In severe diarrhea the foal may have fever and reddened mucous membranes. Diarrhea can most effectively be treated if discovered early. Equine Influenza A highly contagious respiratory disease widespread throughout the world. Caused by a group of viruses. Outbreaks frequently appear where a number of horses are assembled. Virus itself is carried in contaminated water and on contaminated feed, bedding, buckets, brooms, clothing, etc. Treatment should be handled by the veterinarian and consists of isolation of affected animals. A2. Racetracks, sales, and horse shows. Equine Science & Technology Lesson Plan Library Page 2 of 9
Lyme Disease Spread by ticks. Most common symptoms in horses are shifting-leg lameness, fever, muscle aches and pains, limb swelling, eye inflammation, and abortion. Many horses may be exposed to the agent without developing clinical disease. Lyme disease is fairly simple to treat using Penicillin and tetracycline. West Nile Virus Virus is spread and carried by mosquitoes. One of the newest diseases to affect horses in the United States. There is no specific treatment for the disease; treatment is based on presenting signs. A vaccine for West Nile Virus is available, but effectiveness is unknown. Rabies An acute infectious disease of horses and all other warmblooded animals. Characterized by deranged consciousness and paralysis. Caused by a virus that is usually carried into a bite wound by infected saliva. Treatment is not advisable as infected animals eventually die. Equine Infectious Anemia (Swamp Fever) A serious viral disease sometimes referred to as swamp fever, mountain fever, slow fever or malarial fever. Once infected virus remains in the blood for life. Virus is spread by biting insects, especially flies, but may also be spread by hypodermic needles. Symptoms include: high and intermittent fever, depression, stiffness and weakness, loss of weight, anemia, etc. Treatment has been unsuccessful because there is no method known to destroy the virus in the bloodstream. Equine Science & Technology Lesson Plan Library Page 3 of 9
B. List the normal temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate of a horse. Body Temperature Normally ranges from 100 to 102 F. Body temperature is affected by stable or outside temperature, exercise, excitement, age, feed, etc. Temperature is measured by inserting the thermometer into the rectum. B1. Have a model or picture of a horse ready to indicate where these measurements are taken. Pulse Rate Indicates the rapidity of the heart action. Pulse is taken either at the margin of the jaw, at the inside of the elbow, or under the tail. Pulse rate increases with exercise, excitement, digestion, and high outside temperatures. Respiration Rate Determined by placing the hand on the flank, by observing the rise and fall of the flank, or, in the winter, by watching the breath condensate coming form the nostrils. Rapid breathing due to recent exercise, excitement, hot weather, or poorly ventilated buildings should not be confused with disease. In foals the normal respiratory rate may approach 40 breaths per minute. C. Explain the difference between natural and acquired immunity. Immune reactions are characterized by the ability of the horse to resist and/or overcome disease through either (1) natural immunity or (2) acquired immunity. Natural Immunity First line of defense. However, it is nonspecific. The immune cells attack any bacteria: they are not programmed for a specific organism. C1. Immune reactions- The horse s body is remarkably equipped to fight disease. Chief among the equipment are large white blood cells that are able to overcome many invading organisms. Acquired Immunity Immunity that is specific for a certain organism. Can be either active or passive. Equine Science & Technology Lesson Plan Library Page 4 of 9
D. Explain the two divisions of acquired immunity. Acquired Immunity Immunity that results from the immune system being stimulated to produce antibodies is called active immunity. Active immunity- resistance is not developed until after one or two weeks, but is far more lasting. If an animal is injected with antibodies produced by another individual, the immunity is referred to as passive immunity. Young suckling mammals obtain passive immunity from the colostrum that they obtain from their mothers following birth. Passive immunity confers immunity upon injection, but the immunity disappears quickly, usually within three to six weeks. D1. Active immunity has a great advantage. Equine Science & Technology Lesson Plan Library Page 5 of 9
Review & Evaluation Objectives will be reviewed before examinations. Exams will be developed based on objectives as taught in class. Instructional Support A. References Ensminger, M. E. (2004). Equine Science (8 th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall B. Teaching Aids and Equipment - Overhead projector - Board with chalk/marker C. Facilities - Room Equine Science & Technology Lesson Plan Library Page 6 of 9
Name Date Multiple Choice. Circle the correct answer. Equine Science and Technology Equine Diseases Quiz 1. Which disease found in horses is spread by tick bites? A. Anthrax B. Glanders C. Lyme Disease D. Tetanus 2. What is one of the most common problems seen in foals? A. Abortions B. Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) C. Diarrhea D. Mastitis 3. What indicates the rapidity of the heart action? A. Beats per second B. Body Condition Score C. Pulse Rate D. Respiration Rate 4. Which virus once infected remains in the blood for life? A. Equine Herpesvirus B. Equine Infectious Anemia C. Rabies D. West Nile Virus 5. Which disease is one of the newest to affect horses in the United States? A. Glanders B. Rabies C. Swamp Fever D. West Nile Virus Equine Science & Technology Lesson Plan Library Page 7 of 9
6. Which disease is caused by a virus carried into a bite wound by infected saliva? A. Equine Infectious Anemia B. Rabies C. Scabies D. West Nile Virus Matching. Write the correct letter of the item next to the description. The item may be used once, more than once, or not at all. Description 7. Can be either active or passive. 8. Fairly simple to treat using Penicillin and tetracycline. 9. First line of defense, however it is nonspecific. 10. Immunity that is specific for a certain organism. 11. In foals, this may approach 40 breaths per minute. 12. Normally ranging from 100 to 102 F. 13. Spread and carried by mosquitoes. 14. Spread by ticks. 15. There is no specific treatment for the disease: treatment is based on presenting signs. Item A. Active Disease B. Acquired Immunity C. Body Temperature D. Lyme Disease E. Natural Immunity F. Passive Immunity G. Pulse Rate H. Respiration Rate I. Swamp Fever J. West Nile Flu K. West Nile Virus L. Yearling Disease Equine Science & Technology Lesson Plan Library Page 8 of 9
Equine Science and Technology Equine Diseases KEY Multiple Choice 1. C 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. D 6. B Matching 7. B 8. D 9. E 10. B 11. H 12. C 13. K 14. D 15. K Equine Science & Technology Lesson Plan Library Page 9 of 9