07/14/2026
🐴 Potomac Horse Fever Cases Are on the Rise 🐴
At Abraham's Equine Clinic, we've recently seen a spike in Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) cases, so we wanted to share a reminder with our horse owners.
If your horse was vaccinated for PHF 3 months ago or longer, now is a great time to give us a call and discuss a booster. During peak PHF season, keeping your horse's protection up to date is especially important.-
So, what is Potomac Horse Fever?
PHF is a bacterial disease that horses become infected with by accidentally eating aquatic insects like mayflies, caddisflies, or dragonflies that are carrying the bacteria. These insects are most common around ponds, rivers, streams, and even around barn lights during warm summer evenings.
Common signs include:
🐎 Fever
🐎 Loss of appetite
🐎 Depression or acting "off"
🐎 Diarrhea
🐎 Colic
🐎 Laminitis
PHF can make horses very sick, and in some cases it can be life-threatening. One of the biggest concerns is laminitis, which can develop quickly and have long-term consequences. The good news is that horses treated early have a much better chance of making a full recovery.
While the vaccine doesn't prevent every case, vaccinated horses often experience milder illness, making vaccination one of the best tools we have to help protect them.
If it's been 3 months or more since your horse's last PHF vaccine, or if your horse is showing any of the signs listed above, please don't hesitate to reach out to Abraham's Equine Clinic. We're here to help keep your horses healthy all season long!
📞 Give us a call at 319-366-6441 to schedule a booster or if you have any questions—we're always happy to help!
