Treatment
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- 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
signs.
[10]
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.
Tranquilizers:
- 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]