The most common cause of depression and inappetence without signs of colic is equine flu. These horses will have fever (most colics don't) and may also have runny noses or cough. These viruses are wherever horses congregate and young horses are especially susceptible. Though rarely fatal, these diseases count for tremendous loss of time and money in the horse business.

The respiratory problems of horses in North America range from the infectious disease of young animals to the chronic non-infectious diseases in older animals. Younger horses are afflicted by a range of viral infections such as herpesvirus and influenza and by bacterial infections such as strangles. The older horses and some younger horses, particularly on racetracks, develop an inflammatory airway disease which we believe is non infectious.

The following two articles entitled "The Truth About Herpes And Horses" and "The Coughing Horse" provide an insight into the special characteristics of the Equine Herpes Viruses, especially the symptoms and the complications associated with infections. Other causes of respiratory problems are also discussed. There are no magical cures for these viral infections. Treatment is based on a common sense approach outlined in what is known as the "Four Point Treatment Plan."