PREVIOUSLY I have written about the importance of disease screening and focused on contagious equine metritis (CEM; Vet clinic, 5 January). This article will focus on equine viral arteritis (EVA) and talk a little more about the differences between natural cover and artificial insemination and the risks of spreading disease.
WHAT IS EVA?
EVA affects horses, donkeys and other equids and is caused by the equine arteritis virus. The vast majority of infections are subclinical (without signs); when signs do occur they can vary greatly, with horses primarily demonstrating an influenza-like syndrome. Signs include:
• a raised body temperature (pyrexia) • nasal discharge • oedematous (fluidy) swellings of • skin rash and inflamed runny eyes with surrounding swelling (colloquially known as “pink eye”)
