Final Exam Flashcards
(292 cards)
What is an Infectious Disease?
Damages or injures the host so as to impair host function, resulting from the presence and activity of one or more pathogenic microbial agents.
Pathogenic agents include bacteria, fungi, rickettsiae, viruses, and internal/external parasites.
Define Contagious Disease.
An infectious disease that is capable of being transmitted from one person/species to another.
What is a Zoonotic Disease?
A contagious disease that can be passed from animals to humans under natural conditions.
Examples include rabies, Hendra virus, influenza, ringworm, and salmonella.
What natural barriers reduce the risk of disease spread in North America?
Oceans, rivers, mountains.
What factors increase the risk of infectious diseases in horses?
Global movement of horses and products.
How can we prevent Infectious Diseases in horses?
Through age and risk assessment, quarantine, vaccines, dewormers, and treatment with medications.
What is the age classification for young horses?
Young horses are classified as those less than 1 year of age.
When should vaccinations for young horses start?
Vaccinations should start at 4-6 months of age with a booster in 3-4 weeks.
What immunity type is present in mature horses?
Innate and adaptive immunity.
What are the implications of being a broodmare?
Disease can cause abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases are a concern.
What is maternal passive transfer in broodmares?
Antibodies are transferred to the foal during the last 30-45 days of pregnancy and through colostrum in the last 2 weeks before birth.
What concerns are associated with stallions?
They are involved in live cover vs. collection for AI and are at risk for sexually transmitted and communicable diseases.
What role do normal flora play in bacterial and fungal infections?
Commensal bacteria provide benefits without harm, but their disruption can lead to disease through opportunistic pathogens.
What factors contribute to the success of an Infectious Disease?
- Virulence of the organism
- Microbial resistance (e.g., nosocomial infections, MRSA)
- Inoculum size (exposure amount)
- Host immune system.
What is the vaccination purpose?
To produce or artificially increase immunity of the host to a particular disease.
Name the core vaccinations for horses.
- Tetanus
- Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis
- West Nile Virus
- Rabies.
What is Tetanus caused by?
Clostridium tetani, which produces an exotoxin (neurotoxin) leading to spastic paralysis.
What are the clinical signs of Tetanus?
- Prolapsed third eyelid
- Hypersensitivity to light/sound
- Stilted gait
- Seizures.
Poor prognosis is common.
What is the required condition for Tetanus to occur?
An anaerobic wound.
What is the treatment for Tetanus?
- Tetanus toxoid
- Tetanus antitoxin.
What viruses cause Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis?
Toga viruses.
What are the clinical signs of Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis?
- Neurologic signs
- Ataxia
- Depression
- Head-pressing.
What is the mortality rate for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)?
95%.
What is the transmission vector for West Nile Virus?
Mosquitoes.