What is the primary treatment for vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection in horses?

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary treatment for vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection in horses?

Vesicular stomatitis virus infection in horses is managed primarily with supportive care rather than a specific antiviral cure. The key goal is to keep the horse hydrated and nourished, since oral lesions can make drinking and eating painful. Provide fresh, clean water and soft, palatable food to prevent dehydration and weight loss. If secondary bacterial infections occur at lesion sites, antibiotics are used to prevent or treat those complications. There isn’t a widely used, proven antiviral treatment for VSV in horses, and vaccination serves as a preventive measure during outbreaks rather than a treatment for an active infection. Isolation helps limit spread, but supportive care remains the cornerstone of management.

Vesicular stomatitis virus infection in horses is managed primarily with supportive care rather than a specific antiviral cure. The key goal is to keep the horse hydrated and nourished, since oral lesions can make drinking and eating painful. Provide fresh, clean water and soft, palatable food to prevent dehydration and weight loss. If secondary bacterial infections occur at lesion sites, antibiotics are used to prevent or treat those complications. There isn’t a widely used, proven antiviral treatment for VSV in horses, and vaccination serves as a preventive measure during outbreaks rather than a treatment for an active infection. Isolation helps limit spread, but supportive care remains the cornerstone of management.

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