In many horses, the only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected. | Photo: Stephanie L. Church/The Horse

A horse from Laramie County, Wyoming, euthanized due to a suspected case of rabies has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported April 26.

They Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) said the barrel racing horse was admitted to the Colorado State University (CSU) Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in Fort Collins, with progressive neurologic issues impacting all four limbs as well as the animal’s cranial nerves, the EDCC said.

“The horse was recumbent and euthanized for humane reasons,” the EDCC stated. “Testing for rabies was negative on the April 13. The horse owner was contacted and, because EHM (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, the neurologic form of EHV-1) had not yet been ruled in or out, they were advised to impose a self-quarantine and implement enhanced monitoring of each horse on the premises to include at least twice daily recording of rectal temperatures with any suspect cases reported immediately