[beauxdatious]

Ok down in LA strangles is going around. My barn is a vetrianiary clinic and the horses are treated with vaccines and checked regulary for *strangles*
WHAT EXACTLY is strangles?
I probley sound like an idoit Because I am paying for it not knowing WHAT THE HECK it is? I trust my vet, and feel stupid to ask....lol.
Because normally I know alot about sickness...and one thats right in front of my face..I haave no clue about.
Anyways I would have searched on the web, but I feel more confident asking you guys!
THANKS!
Katie

[beauxdatious]

bumping this up!

[Lexy]

Cause Strangles is the most important infectious disease affecting horses. It is caused by a bacterium, Streptococcus equi.
Signs
Swollen lymph glands
that may burstPus discharge
from nostrilsTypically, horses suffering from strangles have pus discharging from the nostrils and swellings (abscesses) forming in the lymph glands under the jaw. These abscesses often burst and exude a thick yellow pus. Affected horses can have fever, be depressed and may stop eating. Most animals recover, but horses that contract even a mild case of strangles must be isolated and removed from training or heavy work for up to 3 months. In some cases the infection can cause chronic illness or even death.
Epidemiology Strangles is very contagious, especially with foals, spreading easily from horse to horse and often leading to large outbreaks with many horses affected. It is spread in the discharges (pus) from the nose and burst abscesses. Objects such as water troughs, feed buckets, brushes, reins and other equipment, if contaminated with infected pus, can also spread the disease. Recovered horses can spread the disease for up to eight months, even though they can appear clinically healthy and normal.
Immunity In common with other respiratory diseases, such as canine cough and feline respiratory disease, immunity is short lived and incomplete. In fact 25% of horses infected with strangles do not appear to develop immunity. This makes it very difficult for a vaccine to provide complete protection and it is not claimed that the vaccine is an absolute preventative. However, field experience has shown that vaccination can control the disease by reducing the degree of clinical disease and reducing the number of horses affected.
Treatment Penicillin is the antibiotic of choice against S.equi. Abscesses may need to be opened and drained and good supportive care is vital for recovery.
Control It is strongly recommended that all horses be included in a regular program of vaccination. It is particularly important that booster doses be given prior to periods of greater risk of infection, such as the breeding or performance season. Pregnant mares may be vaccinated up to two weeks before foaling.
Consideration should be given to vaccinating high risk horses (eg. brood mares, stallions, performance, pony club, racing and eventing horses) every six months. In the event of an outbreak of strangles, horses should be segregated into three groups and handled as follows:
(a) Those affected by the disease should be treated, but not vaccinated
(b) Horses with no known contact with the disease should be vaccinated immediately
(c) Horses known to have been in contact should be observed for seven to ten days and vaccinated only if they have a normal temperature and show no clinical signs of the disease.
STRANGLES: Questions and Answers Why vaccinate? Vaccination provides the best possible protection against strangles which is the most important infectious disease problem for horses.
Does the vaccine provide 100% protection? Field experience suggests that a full and regular program of vaccination for all horses will usually control or very markedly reduce the incidence and severity of strangles. However it is not claimed that the vaccine is an absolute preventative. Vaccination will reduce the spread in an outbreak with less horses affected by strangles and those that do show signs have a milder disease with shorter recovery and possible protection against spread through the body.
Thus, vaccination has good benefits and is the best protection possible. It should be pointed out that there are other diseases, caused by different organisms, which may be confused with strangles.
Can the vaccine be used during an outbreak? Yes. In the event of an outbreak of strangles, horses should be segregated into three groups, Those affected by the disease should be treated, but not vaccinated. Horses with no known contact with the disease should be vaccinated immediately. Horses known to have been in contact should be observed for seven to ten days and vaccinated only if they have a normal temperature and show no clinical signs of the disease.
Does the vaccine cause reactions? Like a number of other vaccines, Equivac-S or Equivac 2 in 1 can cause some local swelling at the site of the injection, especially if injected subcutaneously and not intramuscularly. Provided the injection has been carried out aseptically, any swelling should disappear in a few days.
What is the vaccination schedule? When horses and foals are vaccinated against strangles for the first time, they require a primary vaccination course consisting of three doses of Equivac-S or Equivac 2 in 1. The three doses are given with an interval of two weeks between injections. Booster doses should be given at least annually and six-monthly revaccination should be considered in circumstances where the risk of infection is known to be high.
What are the signs of strangles? Typically, horses suffering from strangles have pus discharging from the nostrils and swellings (abscesses) forming in the lymph nodes (glands) under the jaw. Most animals recover, but horses that contract even a mild case of strangles must be isolated and removed from training or heavy work for up to 3 months! In some cases the infection can cause chronic illness or even death.
How is the vaccine administered? The vaccine is injected intramuscularly. The most convenient site for injection is the centre of the side of the neck. The needle can be attached to the syringe and then administered to the horse. Alternatively, the needle may be inserted into the muscle and then the syringe attached and the vaccine injected.

Need to know more?
Pfizer Veterinary Services
Toll Free Phone: 1 800 814 883
Fax: 02 9850 3399
Website: www.pfizeranimalhealth.com.au
E-mail: animal.health@pfizer.com
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd. 38-42 Wharf Rd, West Ryde, NSW 2114.
™ Trademark of Pfizer Animal Health.

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[beauxdatious]

Thankyou!!!!!!!!

[nicz2cu]

They also or should I say " my vet " uses the nose spray instead of injection. I guess that is just as effective ?

[Kicks]

Originally Posted by nicz2cu

They also or should I say " my vet " uses the nose spray instead of injection. I guess that is just as effective ?

My Vet says that the intra-nasal is more effective and works quicker than the injection. Also uses the intra-nasal spray for Rhino (EHV)., except for pregnant mares.

[beauxdatious]

Oh, ok. I will ask about the intra-nasal next time!
Has anyone ever had (horse lol) strangles

[SalemsMom]

We have had several horses withstrangles,always keep themaway from other horses,make sure you always feed the healthy horses before feeding or being around affected ones,because it can be tracked by your boots or clothing and spread in the uninfected horses.

[CJ]

Originally Posted by beauxdatious

Has anyone ever had (horse lol) strangles

In short, strangles is a streptococcus infection. Similar bug as "strep throat".
I was a Ranch Camp counselor and one year one of the horses got a pretty bad case of strangles. She couldnt be sent back to the home herd (Across st lines) and was in a 24-standngstall barn w/20 other horses. She was treated with pennecillin shots, which is effective but risky if part of the infection survives & resets itself later. She was 'isolated' surrounded by empty stalls, could not and did not go out, and had to have her own water bucket, feed bucket & hay net. The nets & buckets Had to be hung up b/c she was so horribly Congested she couldnt breathe when she put her head down. Only staff dealt w/ her, no campers. She had a 100+*F fever, 'snot' all over the front wall/s of the stall, and not enough strength the shake off the flies that came in. She was sick for most of a 2 wk session, but None of the other horses caught it. She recovered & was usable, lightly luckily (<My staff horse.) She came back again the next year, 100% healthy but with a THING @ flies in her face (reared).

[Lexy]

Bleach

The stall any horse that is kept in that has had strangles MUST be disinfected before putting another horse in it.

1 gallon pump garden sprayer
2 or 3 gals bleach (more or less depending on stall size)

First, remove any horses that might be in the immediate vicinity of the stall being treated as the fumes can be over whelming. You may have to do this a few minutes at a time because you don't want to compromise your respiratory system.

Use bleach undiluted. Spray all surfaces until they are running wet. This includes feed containers, water containers, and hay racks. Don't forget!!!!... spray the bottom of feed/water containers. If you use nylon hay feeders..... washing machine, hot water, w/bleach.

You can purchase surface disinfectants from your co-op or vet supply place but in general they don't work any better than the bleach and the cost is a lot higher.