b'AFTER THE IMMUNE CHALLENGELong-term consequences Clinical signs of WNV infection in horses that recover can last anywhere from one day to several weeks, but improvement usually occurs within seven days of onset of clinical signs.Although 80% to 90% of owners report that the horse returns to normal function one to six months after disease, at least 10% of owners report long-term deficits that limit athletic potential and resale Horses that survive mosquito-borne dis- value, says Maureen T. Long, DVM, PhD, eases such as West NileDipl. ACVIM, professor of virology and virus and Eastern equinemicrobiology at the University of Floridas encephalitis can haveCollege of Veterinary Medicine, in Gaines-residual neurologic andville. Deficits include residual weakness other de\x06cits.or ataxia in one or more limbs, fatigue with exercise, focal or generalized muscle DUSTY PERINatrophy (wasting), and changes in person-ality and behavioral aberrations.inflammation in these delicate structuresand paresis (weakness from nerve dam- Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)can lead to neurologic abnormalities. Typi- age or disease) that can render the horseLike WNV, EEE can develop when an cal clinical signs can be as mild as colic,unable to rise, facial and tongue paralysis,infected mosquito introduces the virus lameness, lack of interest in feed, andbehavioral changes/severe mental depres- while having an equine blood meal. But fever or as severe as ataxia (wobbly gait)sion, convulsions, and coma. horses infected with EEE have an even 18September 2019The Horse | TheHorse.com'