Treatment

• Treatment for WNV is mainly supportive as there is not yet any specific antiviral therapy for this virus. [1]

• The goal of treatment is to control pain and inflammation, prevent further injury and support the vital body systems. [1]

• Survival rate is high for cases of acute encephalitis and signs of recovery should be seen  between 3-5 days after the onset of clinical

  Fluid therapy:

• Fluid therapy is utilized for maintenance of body fluids and to replace ongoing losses and deficits.

  Anti-inflammatory treatment:

• Flunixin Meglumine"Banamine," is the suggested treatment and may be initiated to decrease the severity of muscle tremors and fasciculations.

• Alpha-2 agonists such as "Detomidine"  may be used to protect those administering supportive care and to protect the recumbant horse from self inflicted thrashing injury.

  Sedatives:

• Phenothiazines such as "Acepromazine" may be indicated for use as anxiolytics in both standing and recumbent horses.

  Other:

• In more severe cases such as recumbent horses, treatment may be more aggressive and might include Dexamethasone and mannitol (for CNS edema), and Phenobarbitol to control seizuring animals.  These animals may require additional nutritional (vitamine/mineral/antioxidant) and fluid support.

• Advanced  treatment consisting of serum and plasma antibody containing products are available and may help to inactivate circulating virus in horses with the disease and protect those exposed.  The efficacy of this treatment is unknown. [1]