Use of antiviral medications against equine herpes virus associated disorders |
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Authors: | D M Wong L K Maxwell P A Wilkins |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 50011;2. Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078;3. and;4. Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.;5. Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Champaign‐Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA. |
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Abstract: | Numerous types of equine herpesviruses (EHV) continue to afflict horses resulting in a variety of clinical manifestations. While many of the clinical manifestations of EHV are self‐limiting or require only supportive care, some clinical expressions of EHV infections cause severe risk to the horse's overall health and can result in abortion, long‐term deficits or death. Antiviral medications are infrequently utilised therapeutics in equine medicine and their exact efficacy is largely unknown. However, the use of antiviral medications may potentially decrease convalescent time and improve outcome in horses with EHV‐related diseases. Thus, equine practitioners should consider the potential use of antiviral medications in the future. The purpose of this article is to familiarise the equine practitioner with current information in regard to antiviral medications and their potential uses in equine medicine. |
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Keywords: | horse acyclovir valacyclovir myeloencephalopathy pulmonary foal |
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