Strangles - how best to deal with it

[Leg_end]

We've had a horse diagnosed with strangles at my yard, in the stable next door to mine. I have never had to deal with strangles in my life and TBH dont know that much about it apart from its bad!

I have no idea what to do with my lad - do I keep him in his field, far away from the affected area but with the possibility that he can touch other horses over the fence

OR do I continue with my original plan which was to start to bring him in at night from saturday?

Am concerned as horse affecteds area has been disinfected but there doesnt seem to be much of a management process in place and we are a big yard and RS...

Advice would be much appreciated as I in a bit of a fluster about it all!

 

[Madam_max]

Surely the horse should be isolated. Have you been given no advice?

 

[bensababy]

The horse with strangles should be isolated and being treated accordingly, my boy had it years ago - human/horse should not have contact with others,i had to disinfect boots,wear gloves... it was hard work!

 

[Stoxx]

Ideally the affected horse should be isolated if possible, then one person should be 'doing' that horse and nothing else at all on the yard. That person should be wearing overalls, gloves, boots etc etc that get washed and disinfected after each contact with the horse. All mucking out tools should be kept separate etc. As long as that is done there is no reason for it to spread. Also obviously no movement on/ off the yard.

 

[Tempi]

OMG, did the vet not tell the owner what to do? Or that it should be totally isolated

 

[Leg_end]

Sorry - affected horse has been isolated and area disinfected but all the other owners have no idea what to do.

I just dont know what would be the best way for me to manage Leg whilst this is all going on

 

[Madam_max]

This should help, it's from my vets.

http://www.horsevet.co.uk/strangles.php

 

[Little_Mare]

Take your horse's temp twice a day and call the vet if it becomes high - that's the first sign. This is what we had to do with my girl a few years back, antibiotics were administered straight away and all other symptoms were prevented. She was the only other pony affected as she was only a baby and therefore more susceptible.

 

[Leg_end]

Thanks guy - thats really helpful

Have decided to call YO at lunch and get a yard meeting arranged so we can get a plan of attack together.

 

[Little_Mare]

We had a plan of attack too: we all had our own thermometers and lube, YM provided alcohol hand-rub and I made a chart where everyone wrote down their horse's temps then we knew if anyone's was getting high. Strangles pony was isolated and no one touched any one else's horse.

 

[Llwyncwn]

A strangles horse wont be able to bend its head to eat or drink. Water and food should be offered in a bucket at waist height. Lots of good advice offered here however, antibio's shouldnt be given until abcessess are burst otherwise they will stifle the virus.

You will notice that an affected horse will stand with its head down in a state of depression. If you find an abcess around the head/jaw it would help if you could poultice with a very hot wet towel (as hot as your hands will take) to draw the abcess out, 2/3 times per day. Offer him/her food and drink at regular intervals. It could take months to recover. The streptococcus virus can live in wood and certain surroundings for up to 6 months.

Be a good neighbour and warn the surrounding yards.

Hope this helps.

 

[brighteyes]

Keep spraying everything with Virkon S - as well as all the other things above!

 

[Dougie]

[ QUOTE ]
Take your horse's temp twice a day and call the vet if it becomes high - that's the first sign. This is what we had to do with my girl a few years back, antibiotics were administered straight away and all other symptoms were prevented. She was the only other pony affected as she was only a baby and therefore more susceptible.

[/ QUOTE ]

NOOOOOOOOOOO DO NOT GIVE AB'S UNLESS U WANT A BASTARD STRANGLES