strangles

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mintaka04

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There is suspected case of strangles on our yard.
I have read about transmission of the disease, swabbing and screening, but can't see any advice on traveling and competing.
The one horse that is suspect has been isolated.
What about all the others on the yard?
Do you think we should all be quarantined too?
I can't find any good advice on this.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
 
Sorry to hear you have strangles on your yard. Yes is the answer, all horses and the whole yard must be quarantined immediately. Owners and horses should have no contact with other horses.

Hope this helps x

PS Hope Vicm? responds to this
 
You should all be isolated and staying at home until the outbreak is confirmed or otherwise. You should avoid touching other liveries horses / stuff and definitely don't touch horses outside the yard. If you suspect your horse has it then it should have a nasal swab taken by the vet and anti biotics administered if required. It can take up to 3 swabs before it will show as clear which can take a few months. Hygiene is vital as is patience unfortunately. Good luck and I hope your horse avoids it!
 
As above, the responsible course of action is to quarantine the whole yard and the owners and connections to avoid contact with all other horses.
 
Hi,

Agree with all the comments given, but vets still seem to have different opinions about anti-biotics. My horse had this about 5 years ago. You need to be very careful to try to prevent your horse getting it and nothing should leave the yard under any circumstances.

The person whose horse has it should not touch anything belonging any other horses. It is extremely contagious and could even be passed on if you and the owner of the horse infected come into contact and then you touch your horse. All person on the yard should use disinfectant proceedure and not go to other yards after you have been to your own.

Do be aware though that this is terrible for the owner of the infected horse as I felt like I was carrying some awful disease and everyone wanted to avoid me. Do be supportive but also be very very careful. If you want any further info please feel free to PM me.

Good luck
 
Thank you for your replies. I agree that the owner of the affected horse must feel like some sort of leper, not her fault of course.
I think everyone is keeping a low profile, and I agree with your comments re-transmission via fomites.
It's a pest being in the middle of the show season, but I guess it would be worse if it was the middle of winter and all the horses were in and therefore in closer proximity to each other.

I am going to get my horse vaccinated, though I have read differing views on this too.
 
the vaccine is withdrawn
no horses should be allowed off yard until you have all clear-even hacking.
dont share equipment and dont touch each others horses.suspect cases should go in own field.
 
Can i just say that strangles is more common than everyone thinks. It's no longer a stigma, anyone can bring it onto a yard without knowing.

But you should be quarantined and only ride on your own property.

Antibiotics are not always effective - it depends where the infection is.

Just bide your time and keep your horse away from others.
 
Thank you all for your replies.
The STEPS leaflet was very informative.
Everyone on the yard is quarantined and seems to be coping ok with that at the moment.
I agree, it is such a stigma. People are quick to blame, when there is no real fault.
A bit like MRSA in hospitals.

At least I can ride my horse in the arena.
I keep telling myself too, it's not like it's cattle with foot and mouth. Heaven forbid if we had to have our horses shot.
shocked.gif
 
Hi Mintaka,
Lets hope this is a false alarm eh? Mine has just had it. The best thing that can be done is isolation. Trouble is it is passed more commonly from them touching nose to nose, sharing the water troughs and on the pasture, so really all that horses that have been in contact with the affected one need to be quarantined for 3 weeks. Swabs are useless, they are only about 45% accurate, the best thing is a blood test which my little man had.

It is all in the readings of 2 different antigens and it is worth remembering thtat some horses will test postive just by being in contact with it in the air, doesnt mean they have it, the vet should explain the readings to you.

I had 3 blood tests 6 weeks apart. Also dont panic, in 30 odd years I have seen many horses die from colic, not one from strangles though. XXX
 
Hi,
one confirmed case now, and another awaiting diagnosis.
We are all pretty well segregated in the fields, but it's a real bummer not being able to get out to compete.
I'm going to miss an important show and I'm not the only one.
Ho hum.
Horses! Who'd have 'em?
 
When our yard first got strangles I was upset about not being able to compete, but it is not the end of the world. I had worked megga hard with Baron all winter and was gutted that I missed a very important comp. But then he came down with it. It made me realise that competing meant nothing compared to the health of my horse, I almost lost him due to a complecation.

Fingers crossed that all the ill horses recover soon and you can get out and about again. Please be very very strict with isolation and hygene, do not let your horse near any other horse if possible, dont touch any other horse either. Many are carriers and will not show symptoms. Check your hoses temp every day, Barons was over 40 before he showed any other symptom. If you want any help, advice or info feel free to PM me.

Hes better now, just waiting for result of first clear swab. Here is my recent post on him
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/sh...&PHPSESSID=
 
Thanks for that. I agree, wholeheartedly (and I'm glad your horse is better)
My horse is pretty well isolated, and I'm checking her temp. every day.
I'm sure she'll be fine, but keeping an open mind and maintaining biosecurity measures.
 
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