10/09/2026
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) is a bacterial disease that can affect horses, especially during the summer and fall. The bacteria live inside freshwater snails and aquatic parasitic flatworms (flukes), which then infect aquatic insects during their larval stage. Horses ingest these insects while grazing near natural waterways, drinking from ponds or troughs , or eat contaminated hay and grain!
Keep an eye out for signs such as fever, decreased appetite, depression, colic, or diarrhea. Early recognition and veterinary care are important for helping your horse recover.
💉A few ways to help protect your horse:
• Talk with your veterinarian about vaccination and prevention options.
• environmental management
If your horse isn’t acting like themselves, don’t wait to reach out to your veterinarian!
❤️ At Advanced Equine of the Hudson Valley, we’re here to help keep your horses happy, healthy, and feeling their best.
