According to reports posted on Pets MD, rabies is on the rise in the equestrian world. While many people don't connect horses with rabies, reports prove that in some circumstances, horses that never receive a rabies vaccination can die from this illness. American Horse Magazine says that horses that have rabies will become erratic and extremely hostile. Oftentimes these horses will be aggressive and will drool or foam at the mouth. Veterinarians say that rabies can display itself in many different contexts, so horse owners shouldn't assume that their horse doesn't have rabies if he or she does not behave as was described above.

When a horse develops rabies, the disease is typically incurable. Horses will need to be put down after diagnosis in order to facilitate the most painless death. Rabies is spread through skunks, foxes, bats, and raccoons. This is called terrestrial rabies. Normally, the animals need to bite in order to transmit the disease. If a horse gets curious and approaches one of these animals, it may naturally become defensive and lash out, biting the equine and causing the spread of the disease. Once a horse shows signs of rabies, the animal normally dies within the next few days. Early signs of rabies can be anything from colic to lameness or depression. Sometimes, the horse will act excessively agitated.

Horses that have rabies are a danger to their handlers, as a bite could transfer the rabies to the handler. This is because rabies is a disease that is able to move between animals and people. If you are working with an animal with rabies, it is essential that you get a rabies vaccination yourself and goes in for immediate treatment should you suffer a bite from the infected animal. Normally, veterinarians can only put down a horse with this illness as there is no way to treat the illness. To prevent rabies, the American Academy of Equine Petitioners suggests that horse owners vaccinate their animal at least once a year. This will reduce the possibility of rabies in your animal.

All across the United States, veterinarians are seeing more cases of rabies as wild animals tend to explore more during the warm summer months. The American Academy of Equine Petitioners says that the signs of rabies can include a fever, anorexia, dysphagia, lameness, incontinence, ascending paralysis, sudden death, muscle twitching, hyperesthesia, blindness, paresis, and more. One single case of rabies can but thousands of people and animals at risk as the disease is so contagious.

When a foal reaches six months of age, that animal should be vaccinated. After this, the animal should be vaccinated once again with a booster dose after four to six weeks, and should receive boosters at annual intervals after reaching one year old. Any pregnant mares should be vaccinated four to six weeks before their delivery date. If you would like to prevent your animal from contracting rabies, the best way to do so is to remember these vaccinations and be faithful to as a vet to come and administer booster shots when they are needed.

Also, horses that are kept in stables will have a better chance of avoiding contact with an infected animal. If your horse is bit by a wild animal and you suspect that the animal might have had rabies, contact a local vet immediately to come and administer a revaccination. Then, the vet can observe your horse to learn whether or not he or she has the disease. If the horse shows no clinical signs of rabies within 45 days then chances are that it has been spared. Talk to an attorney today if you want more information.