08/13/2025
We would like to alert horse owners that we have a confirmed case of West Nile Virus in a horse in Sweet Grass County.
Below is some information about the virus and signs to look for in your horse. Vaccination is the key in helping prevent this disease in horses.
🌿🐴 West Nile Virus: A Serious Threat to Horses — But Preventable! 🐴🌿
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of horses. It can lead to neurological signs and, in some cases, death. Unvaccinated horses are especially at risk during late summer and fall.
⚠️ Watch for these clinical signs:
Incoordination (stumbling or staggering)
Muscle twitching (especially around the face or muzzle)
Weakness or partial paralysis
Fever
Difficulty standing or lying down
Behavior changes, depression, or hypersensitivity to touch
Seizures or recumbency in severe cases
📉 About 33% of horses that develop neurologic signs from WNV do not survive. Even survivors may have lingering deficits.
💉 The good news? It’s preventable. The WNV vaccine is highly effective and part of the AAEP core vaccine recommendations for all horses in North America. Most horses need an annual booster, ideally before peak mosquito season.
🐎 Protect your horse with:
✔️ Timely vaccination
✔️ Mosquito control around barns and paddocks
✔️ Monitoring for any unusual behavior or movement
📞 Call us today to schedule your horse’s WNV vaccination and learn more about how to keep them safe this season!
🌐 www.acvsmt.com
📍 All Creatures Veterinary Service, Inc.
22 Hwy. 10 E.
Big Timber, MT 59011
(406) 932-4324
[email protected]