Potomac Horse Fever: Know the Signs
“PHF is a serious disease, especially this time of year, and if you haven’t vaccinated your horse for it, it’s important to understand the causes and signs as well as how to diagnose it,” said Hoyt Cheramie, DVM, an equine specialist with Merial Large Animal Veterinary Services.
He offers the following information to help you protect your horse:
Causes
PHF is a disease caused by the bacteria Neorickettsia risticii. The bacteria exist in flukes (flatworms) that develop in aquatic snails and release into bodies of water. Aquatic insects such as damselflies, caddisflies, and mayflies might pick up infected immature flukes, and horses grazing near freshwater creeks, rivers, or on irrigated pasture can ingest the insects carrying PHF
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