ecb89
Well-Known Member
I’m moving yards this month. New yard owner has said I need to get strangles wash. It’s going to cost over £400 but I am 100% happy to pay to move yards.
Hiding strangles
- Thread starter Ample Prosecco
- Start date
MoodyFox_13
Well-Known Member
Wow I understand fully why my new livery yard owner wanted me to have my horse swabbed after reading this thread. I’m moving over from the states and we definitely have strangles and while it’s taken seriously it’s not stigmatized and hidden (most of the time) like what I’ve read. It’s a oh that sucks, their show season just got canceled or seriously set back. Hopefully it’s mild and they’re able to get it contained quickly without casualties. I believe it’s a mandatory report if a horse tests positive and the entire farm is put on quarantine to contain it. It’s not fondly talked about but it’s well documented and pretty openly discussed and diagnosed very quickly.
Hackback
Well-Known Member
I just googled the vaccine as I was under the impression it was only useful for horses that had been exposed to the infection and only provided limited protection for a very limited period. Oh, and that is was a painful injection into the lip.
It seems there is a new vaccine since I last asked my vet about it. It sounds so good that I don’t know why we don't all have our horses vaccinated, alongside flu and tet. I must be missing something, there must be some drawback or why hasn't my vet recommended it when they've been here for the routine visits?
It seems there is a new vaccine since I last asked my vet about it. It sounds so good that I don’t know why we don't all have our horses vaccinated, alongside flu and tet. I must be missing something, there must be some drawback or why hasn't my vet recommended it when they've been here for the routine visits?
MoodyFox_13
Well-Known Member
From my understanding it’s really only useful to vacc younger horses. Also different strains can mean the vacc is less effective. Honestly mandatory reporting, proactive monitoring and testing before and after shows. Mindfulness about isolation protocols and just being clean esp when visiting new places do a lot to combat the risk
Cragrat
Well-Known Member
Mine are vaccinated for strangles using the Strangvac. It's intramuscular. There can be some slight off-colour type effects - mine have had 3 each so far, and I always give a few days off and then a couple of easier hacking days before back up to hard work, but I know many are less hesitant with no issues - I just prefer to be cautious. I think manufaxturer guidlines are 3 months for maximum protection, but my vet said they are finding 6 monthly is fine. If you think the risk of infection is increasing, eg due to being prevelant in your area, you can boost sooner than 6 months. I chose to boost a few weeks before going to a big camp venue.
I raised the question of the strangles vaccination with my vet, and he was very enthusuastic. He gave me loads of data and reasearch findings. Apparently Sweden have been using it for years. In the big barns the horses apparently don't get outside much in the winter, and Strangles used to be a huge problem, but Strangvac has almost eradicated it.
However, a younger vet who can to do their 2nd injections was less enthusiastic and even queried why I was giving it! I did mention this to my normal vet, who is one of the founding senior vets at the practice He said the younger vet probably had no experience of strangles and he'd be having a word.
It is useful and effective at any age. Mine were aged from 7 to 20 when we started vaccinating, under veterinary advice, because we travel to competition venues and do a few camps.
teacups
Well-Known Member
Thank you Cragrat, that’s really useful info.