The most feared complication of EHV-1 is equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM)—a neurologic storm caused by inflammation and damage to blood vessels feeding the brain and spinal cord.
Signs often appear suddenly:
- Unsteady or wobbly gait
- Weakness in the hind limbs
- Difficulty rising
- Loss of bladder control
For some horses, these symptoms progress rapidly. A horse that is shaky in the morning may be unable to stand by evening. This is why EHM cases require immediate veterinary care, strict isolation, and, in severe cases, euthanasia for humane reasons.
This is not a common outcome—but it is the one that keeps veterinarians, trainers, and barn managers awake at night.
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