Strangles? Should I be panicking this much?

[Dexter]

because I'm currently in free fall!! I moved my mare to a DIY yard 2 weeks ago. Its not perfect, but its do able and we were both pretty happy. I went up tonight and noticed a bucket of disinfectant at the yard entrance...

Long story short, a mare on the yard has suspected strangles They called the vet out to her last night as she looked distressed and a bit colicky. Vet came out and noticed an abcess in her jaw area. The mare in question is 18 months old so *could* be brewing an abcess due to teething. Nothing else on the yard is showing any symptoms. And the mare in question was bright enough before the 'colic' episode. The vet has advised waiting until the abcess bursts then swabbing for strangles. No mention of washing etc, and the owner, while lovely is a bit of a drama queen, so I'm hoping its something and nothing! The vet has also stated that this is not to be treated as a strangles outbreak, just a possible case.

The mare in question has been at the yard for 2 years, but has recently been stabled next to a new horse that may according to rumour have come from a yard that has had a recent outbreak, but is showing no signs. No other horse on the yard is showing any signs. Most people are taking temperatures twice a day.

I'm distraught! I have my mare on that yard, but a foal, 2 yearlings and a rising 3 yr old out in a field. I have regularly gone from that yard to the field, and even worse, from that yard to another 120 horse+ yard. I am always touching other horses etc. I am worried to death, particularly about the youngsters!

If it is confirmed as strangles, how transferable is it? Is my mare going to get it? What about the youngsters? and the horses on the other yard? And whats the best way to manage my mare? I'm lucky in that I havent turned her out with other horses so far, and she is now confined to barracks! but she has been out in the school everyday, and as the new horse, I'm pretty sure that alomost everyone has touched her at some point There is one person who does morning feeds, and my mare is one of the last to be fed, so will have been fed after the potential strangles mare

I appreciate this is a slightly hysterical post, but thats how I feel right now I know about strangles in theory, but have never had to deal with the reality of it before

 

[monkeybum13]

I understand your concerns, stangles is horrible and afaik younger horses are more likely to get it.

My best advice would be to have a chat with your vet, they will know what you should be doing for the best

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Yes can understand your anxieties: mine was stabled next to a mare just for 24 hrs last year, and she went down with a snotty nose, etc, so the whole yard was placed on lock-down and isolation. My poor boy had to be boxrested and isolated for three weeks until the all clear, so I know what you're going through.

You need more information, and won't have that till the vet tests have been done. It just might be something very trivial (lets all hope so) and easily sortable. I won't tell you not to worry coz when it happened with mine I was absolutely frantic.

Hang in there, we're all with you keeping fingers crossed for you OK.

 

[Kaylum]

Well many horses get it without symptoms and sometimes only have a sniffle. So long as the mare has been isolated, you will just have to make sure you keep checking your horses and any signs then contact your vet. When one horse got it at our yard the vet had never seen strangles before (new qualified from New Zealand) had no idea what it was and did not treat as such until one of the partners came out to take a look as the horse was not getting better.

 

[spotty_pony]

Having had experience of dealing with horses with Strangles myself in the past, if it is Strangles the horses condition will deteriorate very quickly. One of the horses I know was very poorly. (He first showed signs by having a bit of a runny nose and a high temperature, an hour later he was really poorly.) This should give you some reassurance that it is possibly not Strangles in the young horse at your yard. As monkeybum13 said, young horses tend to be more susceptible to it but any horse can get it as it is a highly contagious disease. It is more serious for young horses and old horses though. Has the horse in question been placed in Quarantine in case it is Strangles? You say the new horse may have brought Strangles into the yard but isn't showing any signs itself - this is because some horses are 'carriers' of Strangles and do not actually contract/show any symptoms of the disease themselves.

Try not to worry too much and I hope the young horse gets better soon.

 

[mystiandsunny]

In my experience, most horses who get it are fine with some supportive nursing. I haven't personally encountered a horse who suffered complications, although I'm aware they do occur. Again, in my experience, your horse needs to have shared water/airspace with one that has it (either incubating it or symptoms), so a horse stabled away from one that has it, and which has not shared a field/groomed over the fence etc, is unlikely to get it. In addition to that, most horses over the age of 6 or thereabouts have already had it, and will only react lightly the second time around.

If your horse does get it, one important point to note is that they will usually have a very sore throat and find it difficult to comfortably lower the head for feed and water. We raised and wetted the feed, and raised the water (on straw bales), which solved that problem nicely - something the vets sometimes forget to mention.

 

[**Vanner**]

Best thing to do from now on is treat it as if it is - if it's not then great! The horse in question should be isolated and handled by one person only - who does not go anywhere near any other horses. They shouldn't come into contact with anyone else, or anything on the yard.

It is transferred - i believe - but am happy to be corrected - by contact of mucosal secretions. It can be transferred on plastic, wood etc and commonly through sharing water troughs. The stuff used to deal with said horse should only be used by the person doing that horse and disinfected before being put back into circulation - that includes stuff that is touched by waste products. Waste should be kept separate and burnt.

Sounds awful - but stay away from it as much as possible.

 

[Dexter]

Nothing has a snotty nose etc, there is one horse thats been a 'bit off' but thats it. Even the mare in question hasnt really had any symptoms other than the abcess.

Am I doing the right thing keeping my mare in the box? I feel awful as she would desparately like to go out for her usual turnout/in hand walk, or failing that in the school for a play. I darent take her in the school as the mare in question was taken in there to walk when she started with the colicky symptoms I also darent take her off the yard as there are 2 other big yards in very close, ie less than 500ms proximity! My mare also loves being tied up on the yard while I muck out etc. Being a Princess Pony she likes the attention, and watching the comings and goings but I darent do that as other people tie up there! I'm also stressing as I use a 'communal' wheel barrow which has obviously been in contact woth other horses

Arrrgghhh!! If this was someone else I would tell them to get a grip! Its a different kettle of fish when your dealing with the reality of a highly contagious and nasty, potentially fatal disease yourself I am also worried to death about the youngsters. If my mare got it she *should* be ok. Its much worse for babies though

 

[Dexter]

The mare in question is isolated in so much as no one touches her then another horse anymore, but she is stabled in a row of 5 stables next to other horses. Theres nothing that can be done about this. Its a typical DIY yard with no isolation box.

My gut instinct is to get my mare out of there ASAP, as I do have the use of another field I can turn her out in, but logically, that is not an acceptable thing to do. It would be hideously unfair of me to move her when she *may* have been in contact with the disease

Once the abcess bursts then they will swab, but it will take 7 days to get the results back! I've roped in my sister to care for the youngsters, and wont go to ANY other yards, or touch another horse till we know one way or another.

I guess its just a waiting game. I strongly suspect by the end of this my mare will hate me! she already thinks I've gone mental due to all the temperature taking and throat prodding I've done

 

[stacie21]

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/1009.pdf
you prob already searched this but some facts there i would get some vircon disenfectant and wash your hands and dunk feet maybe have wellies there to change into when we had it had paper suits so you dont have to get changed just take suit off before you go and so youngsters
also found this how it is spread

Transmission of Strangles

•Strangles is caused by oral exposure of a horse to S. equi bacteria. Once within the oral cavity, the bacteria invade the tonsils and subsequently colonize the lymph nodes.
•Bacteria can be transmitted through contact with pus or nasal discharges from an infected horse, or from contaminated bedding or barn equipment (water troughs, buckets, etc.).
•Flies may also act as vectors, spreading the bacteria from horse to horse.
•Under the right conditions, S. equi can survive in the environment for weeks or months.
•Exposure of a horse to S. equi does not necessarily mean that it will come down with strangles. Factors that influence the risk of disease include
◦dose of bacteria (poor sanitation and direct contact with nasal secretions and pus increase the chance of disease);
◦immune status of horse. Previously exposed horses are often immune to the disease, or do not get as sick as unexposed horses. During the first three to six months of life, foals are often protected by maternal antibodies. Vaccination can also increase resistance to the disease;
◦stress (poor nutrition, overcrowding, lengthy transportation or pre-existing diseases increase the risk of strangles).
•In isolated cases, strangles may be transmitted by “silent shedders” who do not display signs of disease. However, the most risk is from acutely ill or recovering horses that are still shedding bacteria in their nasal secretions

hope this helps

 

[Dexter]

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/1009.pdf
you prob already searched this but some facts there i would get some vircon disenfectant and wash your hands and dunk feet maybe have wellies there to change into when we had it had paper suits so you dont have to get changed just take suit off before you go and so youngsters

Thats what we have in the bucket. Thankfully for a pretty run down DIY yard everyone is taking it very seriously. In fact I like the yard even more now having seen how everyone, including some very novicey owners, have really pulled togther! I am seriously impressed! I've known bigger more 'professional' yards where if this had happened, they would still be going out competing. Not one single horse has left the yard since this happened, and all farriers etc, have been told to stay away.

And I simply wont be seeing the youngsters until I either know its a false alarm or the risk has gone. I'm very lucky to have my sister to rely on until then. Theres another person there who has horses on 2 yards, shes going home stripping off, boiling under a hot shower and putting on newly washed clothes, before going to the other yard. I guess I'm lucky in one respect, other yards like this and they wouldnt be taking it so seriously. Every cloud has a silver lining and all that :/

 

[Mike007]

As with all bacteria ,there are a lot of different strains of Strep Equi,and most horses in the UK have come across it at sometime,though their owners are probably quite unaware. Often they just "shake it off" and never develop the classic symptoms,though they do acquire some immunity . In the past ,we only ever detected the more virulent strains in action.I think that we see a lot more cases only because we now detect the milder forms too. Treat the horse as if it has strangles because it may well be. Avoid crosscontamination as far as possible.But to be honest ,if it is a virulent strain you are on a hiding to nothing. The most usefull thing that can be done is to start taking the temperature of every horse ,twice a day if possible .Keep a chart.All horses seem to have a slightly different body temp,so look for changes rather than the actual level. No going to shows and no mingling with horses from other yards. (this incudes YOU). Also, and this might sound like herasy ,If your horse is not running a temperature and not snotting and coughing .Ride him. Just keep away from other horses. Lack of proper exercise and fresh air is ,in my opinion far worse than an extremely minimal risk of contagion,provided one is sensible.

 

[Dexter]

Hmm, that makes sense. About 48 hours after moving to the yard my mare was 'off'. Not ill, no real symptoms, she was just a bit flat, grumpy and not 100%, not ill or anything, just probably not my happy smiling pony. I put it down to the move, losing her beloved youngster companion and going from 24/7 turnout to stabled alot.

I started mixing hay and haylage for her as she loves haylage but doesnt warrant that exclusively. I also bought her a giant turnip and started hiding carrots for her, giving her a huge bucket of non molassed chaff ect. Just daft stuff, but she picked up within 24 hours, and went back to happy smiling pony.

I really, really hope that, that was her fighting it off!

 

[Kadastorm]

I can understand you are concerned and there can be complications but its rare.
I have dealt with many cases of strangles and it isnt as bad as people make out. Also it is best for your horse to get it and be over with as they wont get it again.
Basically it starts with a runny nose and slight cough and temperature. An absess appears on the jaw and will eventually burst. It can be quite deep but horses are amazing at healing wounds. Where i am, we disinfect all stables and isolate the horses but we still ride the (at home of course) it all clears up in a few weeks. Our vet said herself that strangles isnt really something to be that worried about. Its only in rare cases that it gets nasty just like anything.
Of course, i advise you listen to your vet and follow isolation procedures.

 

[Mike007]

Hmm, that makes sense. About 48 hours after moving to the yard my mare was 'off'. Not ill, no real symptoms, she was just a bit flat, grumpy and not 100%, not ill or anything, just probably not my happy smiling pony. I put it down to the move, losing her beloved youngster companion and going from 24/7 turnout to stabled alot.

I started mixing hay and haylage for her as she loves haylage but doesnt warrant that exclusively. I also bought her a giant turnip and started hiding carrots for her, giving her a huge bucket of non molassed chaff ect. Just daft stuff, but she picked up within 24 hours, and went back to happy smiling pony.

I really, really hope that, that was her fighting it off!

We had a problem with this recently,and prettymuch the same time as one horse went down with it ,(though no one knew at that stage)my own horse went suddenly off colour .Vet called, no temperature ,blood test for infection(but not strangles blood test)All came back as normal . Back to his normal self in 24 hours. He then lived next door but one to a horse with strangles for two months and completely failed to catch anything. One or two other horses ran a temperature but shook it off with penicillin. None developed the normal signs of strangles. Lots of bloodtests and swabs taken,Horses with high antibody levels scoped and washes done . Finally ,all clear.

 

[Dexter]

We had a problem with this recently,and prettymuch the same time as one horse went down with it ,(though no one knew at that stage)my own horse went suddenly off colour .Vet called, no temperature ,blood test for infection(but not strangles blood test)All came back as normal . Back to his normal self in 24 hours. He then lived next door but one to a horse with strangles for two months and completely failed to catch anything. One or two other horses ran a temperature but shook it off with penicillin. None developed the normal signs of strangles. Lots of bloodtests and swabs taken,Horses with high antibody levels scoped and washes done . Finally ,all clear.

Mike007 I LOVE you! Whether that turns out to be the case or not you have given me enough hope, that I will actually be able to sleep tonight

 

[PennyJ]

No, no need to panic until you know for certain what you are dealing with. People get really silly about it, although if it is on your yard, the down side is that if you are a responsible owner, you won't be able to go out and about competing etc until your yard has been given the all clear.

It is a very strange illness, some go down with it, others don't. I had to carry on looking after my own ponies a few years back whilst at the same time dealing with others on a farm where there was strangles present. I was very careful about hygiene and did ask that whilst I would make up the strangles bunch's feeds, I would really appreciate it if I could be excused going into their field on hygiene grounds.

Mine never got it, equally some of the others in the field with the strangles bunch didn't get it either. It really is best just to wait and see what develops over the next few days. PS The snot is spectacular

 

[Sambo]

My old horse had strangles - and it was a nightmare! But out of 12 horses on the yard, only 3 got strangles. And they were all mixed together.

My advice would be to take temperatures religously, only deal with your horses and disinfect as much as possible. If she is stables near the one who may have strangles, then leave her turned out or move her if possible. It is transfered mostly by fluid from horse to horse, so if the "infected" horse sneezes on to you or your horses then if could be caught.

However, while it is nasty - there are very rarely complications.

My old horse was on box rest for 7 weeks as his was really hard to manage as he had thick skin and his absess was on lymph nodes on the side of his neck, rather than under jaw, where the others got it. Many ultra sounds later and a vet brave enough to slice him, we managed to pop it! I've never been so happy to see puss!!!!

While mine quite clearly had strangles, his blood tests and nasal swabs came back clear - so they are not always accurate!! The worst thing about strangles is being quarantined for so long afterwards...

Gross I know, but thought some pics may be useful (sorry for anyone eating)....