The signs are similar to hoof and mouth disease and our first epidemic attracted a lot of attention. Federal veterinarians flew to Western Colorado from Washington, D.C. and other parts of the country to meet with area practitioners. I guess we all learned something, but there wasn't much we could do. The disease was widespread and much was unknown about transmission. A few cases still occur almost every year.
Horses salivate and go off feed.
The mouth should be examined for foxtail or cheat grass awns, which can cause the same symptoms. Grass awns get stuck under the tongue or around the base of the teeth and the horse salivates and is reluctant to eat just as with vesicular stomatitis. The good thing about vesicular stomatitis is that it is sporadic.