What is Equine Parvovirus?
Formerly known as Theiler’s disease (liver disease) is caused by infection with equine parvovirus-hepatitis virus (EqPV-H).
Clinical Signs: The clinical signs are varied as follows:
- Acute fulminant hepatitis:
- Clinical signs are consistent with the horse’s severity of liver disease.
- Neurologic signs: head pressing, staggering, behavior changes, blindness
- Lethargy
- Anorexia
- Jaundice
- Discolored urine
- Colic
- Recumbency
- Death (usually within 72 hours)
- Clinical signs are consistent with the horse’s severity of liver disease.
- Subclinical hepatitis
- No clinical signs of liver disease
- Mild to moderately elevated liver enzymes
- Healthy horse (chronic carrier)
- No clinical signs of liver disease
- No abnormalities in liver enzymes
Diagnosis: Horses clinically affected by hepatitis viruses will have increased liver enzymes and abnormal liver function tests. PCR testing for EqPV-h can be performed on liver biopsies, serum, plasma, or EDTA whole blood at the Animal Diagnostic Center at Cornell.
Treatment: The treatment of equine hepatitis relies primarily on supportive care measures. Referral to intensive care facility is usually needed.
Prevention: Ensure that serum products administered to horses come from sources free from the virus.