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This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only. You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet. Equine viral arteritis is a serious disease of horses and ponies The virus mainly affects non-thoroughbred horses and it has a worldwide distribution. Signs of infection vary, but may include :
This virus is transmitted in two main ways :
There is a blood test that can be used to detect horses with serological evidence of infection (antibodies against the virus) - in the UK this is available from the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. It is such an important disease that in the UK the following regulations apply :
Vaccines are available against equine viral arteritis in countries in which the disease is present. In other countries (such as the UK) vaccination may only be allowed under special circumstances. Many countries will refuse to admit a horse with a positive serological test unless it can be proved by a Veterinary Certificate that the horse acquired the circulating antibodies through vaccination.
Updated October 2013 | |||