Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1 & EHV-4) RT-PCR
This RT-PCR test looks for equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) in a nasal swab or blood sample. These viruses cause fever, cough and, in mares, abortion. The exact list is confirmed when you book.
- Sample
- Nasal swab or whole blood (EDTA)
- Quantity
- As advised
- Report
- Confirmed when you book
- Collection
- Free in Bhopal
What this test checks
- Genetic material of EHV-1 in a nasal swab or blood sample
- Genetic material of EHV-4 in a nasal swab
- A way to tell the two viruses apart
Often discussed at these ages:Foal
When your vet may advise it
- A horse with fever, nasal discharge and cough
- A pregnant mare that aborts, or a weak newborn foal
- A horse with sudden wobbling or trouble standing, as your vet advises
- A horse that has been in contact with a horse with EHV
About this test
Equine herpesviruses are common in horses. EHV-4 mostly causes a mild breathing illness with fever, nasal discharge and cough. EHV-1 can also cause a breathing illness, abortion in pregnant mares, weak foals and, rarely, nerve signs such as wobbling and trouble standing. RT-PCR (real-time PCR) looks for the virus's genetic material in a nasal swab or in whole blood, and it can tell the two viruses apart. Many horses carry herpesvirus without signs, so a registered veterinarian reads the result together with the horse's signs and history.
How to prepare
A vet takes a nasal swab and an EDTA blood tube, and both are kept cool. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.
Questions about EHV RT-PCR
Can herpesvirus cause abortion in mares?
Can a healthy horse test positive for herpesvirus?
Before you book this test
Why this notice: so you know, before you book, how a test is done, what its limits are and who is responsible.
- Where it is tested. Some tests are done wholly or partly by an independent partner laboratory. The lab tells you before booking if this test is sent out, and the report names the laboratory that did it.
- What a result can and cannot tell you. No test is right every time. A normal result does not rule out every disease, and an abnormal result does not prove one. A registered veterinarian should read the report with the animal’s signs and history before any treatment is started, changed or stopped.
- The sample. A sample that is clotted, too small, wrongly labelled, leaking or too old may be rejected or reported with a note, and the lab may ask for a fresh one.
- Reporting time. Confirmed when you book. Times are estimates, not guarantees, and the lab confirms the time when you book.
- Emergencies. A booking or a pending report must not delay urgent care. If an animal has collapsed, struggles to breathe, has fits or bleeds heavily, call a veterinarian at once.
Please read our Terms of Service, Medical Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Refund and Cancellation Policy. Pashupatinath Vet Lab is operated by Duaji Healthcare and Tech Private Limited. This page is general information and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice.
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More RT-PCR tests
EHV RT-PCR: Bhopal and the big cities of Madhya Pradesh
Free sample collection anywhere in Bhopal. From the other cities, send the sample by courier, bus parcel or through your local veterinarian, and the report comes to you online.
Free collection in these Bhopal areas
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