Equine herpesvirus 3
Encyclopedia
Equine herpesvirus 3 is a virus
of the family Herpesviridae
that affects horse
s. It causes a disease known as equine coital exanthema. The disease
is spread through direct and sexual contact and possibly through flies carrying infected vaginal discharge. EHV-3 has an incubation period
of as little as two days. Signs of the disease include pustules and ulcerations
of the vagina
, penis
, prepuce
, and perineum
. Lesions may also be seen on the lips and teats. Usually the only symptom seen is a decreased libido
in stallions. The lesions heal within two weeks. As with other herpes viruses, the virus remains latent in the host for life. Carrier animals can sometimes be identified by spots of pigment loss on black skin in the genital region.
EHV-3 is best prevented by taking note of present clinical signs and keeping infected horses isolated and breeding stock from sexual contact with other horses. Antibiotic ointments should be used on the lesions to prevent secondary bacterial infections and hasten the healing process. It is also important to use disposable gloves and instruments in veterinary exams as the virus can be spread by using contaminated equipment.
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
of the family Herpesviridae
Herpesviridae
The Herpesviridae are a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word herpein , referring to the latent, recurring infections typical of this group of viruses...
that affects horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s. It causes a disease known as equine coital exanthema. The disease
Equine Venereal Disease
The most common form of Equine Venereal Diseases is contagious equine metritis . Another form of Equine Venereal Disease is equine coital exanthema, caused by the Equine herpesvirus 3.-Causes of Equine Coital Exanthema:...
is spread through direct and sexual contact and possibly through flies carrying infected vaginal discharge. EHV-3 has an incubation period
Incubation period
Incubation period is the time elapsed between exposure to a pathogenic organism, a chemical or radiation, and when symptoms and signs are first apparent...
of as little as two days. Signs of the disease include pustules and ulcerations
Genital ulcer
A Genital ulcer is an ulcer located on the genital area, usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease such as genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid, or thrush. Some other signs of having genital ulcers include enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area, or vesicular lesions, which are small, elevated...
of the vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
, penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
, prepuce
Prepuce
Prepuce may refer to:* The foreskin, which surrounds and protects the head of the penis* The clitoral hood, which surrounds and protects the head of the clitoris...
, and perineum
Perineum
In human anatomy, the perineum is a region of the body including the perineal body and surrounding structures...
. Lesions may also be seen on the lips and teats. Usually the only symptom seen is a decreased libido
Libido
Libido refers to a person's sex drive or desire for sexual activity. The desire for sex is an aspect of a person's sexuality, but varies enormously from one person to another, and it also varies depending on circumstances at a particular time. A person who has extremely frequent or a suddenly...
in stallions. The lesions heal within two weeks. As with other herpes viruses, the virus remains latent in the host for life. Carrier animals can sometimes be identified by spots of pigment loss on black skin in the genital region.
EHV-3 is best prevented by taking note of present clinical signs and keeping infected horses isolated and breeding stock from sexual contact with other horses. Antibiotic ointments should be used on the lesions to prevent secondary bacterial infections and hasten the healing process. It is also important to use disposable gloves and instruments in veterinary exams as the virus can be spread by using contaminated equipment.