Treatment includes manual emptying of the teat, systemic antibiotics, intramammary infusions of antibiotics, and the administration of NSAID’s. The foal may have to be until the infection clears. Prognosis is guarded as fibrosis of the milk duct may inhibit the secretion of milk from the affected teat and jeopardize the mare’s suitability for future breeding.
Equine Coital Exanthema
Equine coital exanthema is a venereal disease caused by infection with the Equine Herpes Virus type . causing inflammation and lysis of the infected cells. Neutrophils enter the site of infection to phagocytize the cellular debris and neighbouring infected cells. This causes the formation of vesicles that eventually ulcerate, predisposing the area to secondary bacterial infection. The virus infects the genital Equine Coital Exanthema is a venereal disease, meaning that it is transmitted through coitus or through contact between infected fomites such as veterinary equipment and the genital mucosa.
Breeding animals, especially those being
bred are predisposed to contracting equine
coital exanthema.
Equine coital exanthema has an incubation period of four to eight days after exposure. After this time clinical signs and symptoms begin to appear. The primary lesions are multiple, circumscribed, red nodules up to 2 mm in length develop on the vagina, the vulva, the clitoris and the perineum. These lesions then progress to form vesicles or pustules which are prone to . Lesions are painful when palpated and the perineal region may be inflamed and painful. Lesions begin to within two to three weeks if no secondary bacterial infection has occurred. The lesions heal slowly leaving depigmented scars. Diagnosis of equine coital exanthema is made through clinical signs and symptoms, and the histological isolation of EHV-III. Equine coital exanthema is treated through rest from exercise and sexual activity, isolation of the infected individual and the application of topical antibiotics to the lesions to prevent secondary bacterial infection. It is often a spontaneous recovery, so treatment is often not needed.
Prevention is hygiene.
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