[daintydancer]

My three pregnant mares are sick they are only about 2 months pregnant. there all running a slightly high fever, snotty nose, and cough, and what a nasty cough it is a very harsh cough. I called a vet last night since my regular vet who i trust my horses lives with had bypass surgery and is out until fall. she told oh there is nothing i can do if there eating and drinking just leave them outside and unless their fever goes up or if their discharge comes thicker then i can treat them. I was thinking it was rhino so that is why i was concerend, also my little gelding hasn't got it yet and he is pastured with them so i'm really at my wits end on this one. OH and to top it off my mare jessie is lame on her front. so any advice on what i can do for there sickness would be appreciated

[Blistering Winds]

Could be strangles, could be rhino. Could be a variety of things.

Without a vet to determine the difference, it is hard to say. And being pregnant, not good. you can lose the foals with...or without treatment....

I would call the nearest vet that you can get out or haul in to have them given a once over.

Watch for odd swelling anywhere, especially the neck.

[daintydancer]

Originally Posted by Blistering Winds

Could be strangles, could be rhino. Could be a variety of things.

Without a vet to determine the difference, it is hard to say. And being pregnant, not good. you can lose the foals with...or without treatment....

I would call the nearest vet that you can get out or haul in to have them given a once over.

Watch for odd swelling anywhere, especially the neck.

jessie is swollen under her neck with little bumbs my aunt was thinking strangles. how long do you think the incubation period for strangles is my mares were at the stud farm and they did tell me over the years they have had strangles there so could of my mares picked it up and just now showing symptoms?

[Blistering Winds]

Possibly.

If there is neck swelling, you DO need a vet on board. Depending on the vet, will depend on the treatments.

My vet lances EVERY strangles case. To be sure there are less complications.

And with a baby on board, you REALLY need to talk to the vet to possibly help deter an abort or any possible developmental issues.

[daintydancer]

I know i need a vet, i wish mine was avaliable it would be so much easier I trust what he tells me and he will look after my horses and will come out to check on them not tell to suck it up

[smitty]

I have no faith in a vet that tells me that there is nothing they can do when talking about sick pregnent mares. BW gave you excellent advice. Call a vet...get a name from a good friend or nearby barn. My vet has lanced strangles in the past as well. These horses need to be medicated as well. Incubation period is about 3 weeks.
Even though the horse that was once infected recovers, the bacteria can live for months later.....so.....if this is your diagnosis then it very likely came from barn your "girls" were at.
Good luck and get the Dr out asap

[Mare]

T think I would find another vet. How high is their temp? What color is the snot? Do you have any Pennicilin?

[daintydancer]

Originally Posted by Mare

T think I would find another vet. How high is their temp? What color is the snot? Do you have any Pennicilin?

Last night there temps were around 102 and I havn't gone out tot check yet this morning. snot it an off white not quite yellow but not clear. And no i have no penecillian

[smitty]

I would NOT just administer penicillian even if I did have it. IMO the vet needs to properly dx them.

[ches]

Originally Posted by smitty

Incubation period is about 3 weeks.
Even though the horse that was once infected recovers, the bacteria can live for months later.

Recovered horses can still shed the Strangles virus for up to 8 months without displaying any symptoms. The virus itself doesn't survive long out on the ground with the UV from sunlight, but it can last several weeks in a barn.

It may not be strangles, but you should err on the side of caution.

The mares should be isolated from the gelding to prevent him from getting it too. You have to be really, really careful with caring for him, too. Soak all halters/lead reins in a bleach solution (and then rinse to avoid irritation); wash out all feed/water troughs with a bleach solution (and then rince) and wash your hands prefereably with a betadine/antibacterial solution after caring for the mares. The virus lives in the discharges (nasal, pus) so anything that has come into contact with their noses or their bumps is a carrier, including your clothing and shoes.

The barn I rode at had an outbreak in Feb and both their in-foal mares caught it and had healthy foals (one in April, the other in late June). They clearly didn't have it in their "first trimester," like your mares do. Watch their fevers very closely. I know in people a fever over 102 degrees in the first trimester has been shown to cause birth defects.