Strangles

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tickle

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One of my horses had strangles in January. How long will it be until he's not infectious any more? I want move from winter grazing to a livery yard, but obviously don't want him to infect the other horses. The vet has been very vague, saying to "leave it as long as possible" and that negative nasal swabs don't always mean the horse isn't still infectious.

I'd like to get him schooling at the new yard and do some competitions, but wouldn't do it at the risk of him infecting others. Has anyone had any experience of this?
 
Carriers can shed infection for up to twenty years, there is no way you can tell without a gutteral pouch examination and wash, which is tested for Streptoccus Equi, thats the bad news, usually the vet puts antibiotics in to the pouch at the same time. The pouch is accessed via the back of the throat, there is a little flap in to which a catheter is inserted, usually using an optic probe.
Good news is that it is unlikely to be a long term carrier, but you can't tell from symptoms, or lack of them.
 
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Hi , I was at a livery yard for the summer with my 2 horses and a month before I came home there was an outbreak . The Vets said it wasnt strangles but what with extreme snotty/discharge noses and pus filled chops I knew it was strangles . I left with my horses when I was due to leave( as I was going home to my own yard and the Vet still hadnt confirmed strangles ) and watched mine at home for 3-4 weeks . 2days after I left a girl at the livery yard called me to say vet had just confirmed hers had strangles . Mine were fine and never got it but the livery yard had to be clear of any outbreak for 4weeks until anyone was allowed to move horses . All had swabs taken and the livery yard was disinfected . All rugs , people/horse clothing , tack , mucking out stuff , field water troughs , even the fencing and indoor school etc was disinfected . So as long as you have been clear for at least 4 weeks I would say you'll be fine. Speak to the livery yard owner and see what they want to do . I would suggest you ask for a isolated/end stable and a field away from everyone else for a couple of weeks just for everyones peace of mind . Usual thing dont share tack/buckets etc , dont pat/cuddle other peoples horses . You caught it from somewhere , you dont want to catch or pass anything on !! Do you know how you caught it ? At the end of the day its not your fault you got it . Most seem to hush it up for some reason but I would rather know and take steps to protect my horses than not know . Be honest with your livery yard and Im sure they'll work something out as you are being honest with them.
 
bj666 said:
Hi , I was at a livery yard for the summer with my 2 horses and a month before I came home there was an outbreak . The Vets said it wasnt strangles but what with extreme snotty/discharge noses and pus filled chops I knew it was strangles . I left with my horses when I was due to leave( as I was going home to my own yard and the Vet still hadnt confirmed strangles ) and watched mine at home for 3-4 weeks . 2days after I left a girl at the livery yard called me to say vet had just confirmed hers had strangles . Mine were fine and never got it but the livery yard had to be clear of any outbreak for 4weeks until anyone was allowed to move horses . All had swabs taken and the livery yard was disinfected . All rugs , people/horse clothing , tack , mucking out stuff , field water troughs , even the fencing and indoor school etc was disinfected . So as long as you have been clear for at least 4 weeks I would say you'll be fine. Speak to the livery yard owner and see what they want to do . I would suggest you ask for a isolated/end stable and a field away from everyone else for a couple of weeks just for everyones peace of mind . Usual thing dont share tack/buckets etc , dont pat/cuddle other peoples horses . You caught it from somewhere , you dont want to catch or pass anything on !! Do you know how you caught it ? At the end of the day its not your fault you got it . Most seem to hush it up for some reason but I would rather know and take steps to protect my horses than not know . Be honest with your livery yard and Im sure they'll work something out as you are being honest with them.
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This is irresponsible as the OP's horse may be a carrier with no outward signs.

Get a gutteral pouch wash, your insurance will cover the cost.
 
There is nothing irresponsible in what Ive said . It is practical . Push the Vet to confirm you are clear . Talk to the yard owner and advise them what has been said .
I have 30 years of international equine travel , so I do know a thing or two about infection and its prevention .
I was fortunate that the outbreak where I was was narrowed down to a pony that was visiting for a week and went home " as it wasnt very well " !!! Now we know why ! So I knew I could move mine back home , where there werent any other horses , and the Vet passed them clear when he came to do annual jabs.
So ... speak to your Vet and see what he/she suggests.
 
bj666 said:
There is nothing irresponsible in what Ive said . It is practical . Push the Vet to confirm you are clear . Talk to the yard owner and advise them what has been said .
I have 30 years of international equine travel , so I do know a thing or two about infection and its prevention .
I was fortunate that the outbreak where I was was narrowed down to a pony that was visiting for a week and went home " as it wasnt very well " !!! Now we know why ! So I knew I could move mine back home , where there werent any other horses , and the Vet passed them clear when he came to do annual jabs.
So ... speak to your Vet and see what he/she suggests.
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Vet can't confirm you are clear without 3 swabs a week apart or gutteral wash, end of.

If you want to risk spreading Strangles that's your choice but irresposible nonetheless.
 
foxy1 said:
Vet can't confirm you are clear without 3 swabs a week apart or gutteral wash, end of.

If you want to risk spreading Strangles that's your choice but irresposible nonetheless.
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Yes Foxy ..........thats why I say speak to your vet ! So NOT being irresponsible. BUT NOT speaking to your Vet .. NOT going into isolation... NOT talking to livery yard owners etc etc THATS irresponsible .
 
Thankyou all for your help.

The horse came went to winter grazing a few weeks before a confirmed outbreak on the yard he came from (which is different to the one I plan to take him to, as I've moved).

I will talk to the vet again next week (hopefully a different one). I had a long discussion with the one who took the positive swabs in January, where she said that they could do endoscopy but they don't have a mobile scope and don't want potentially infectious horses at the vet hospital, and they could take swabs but they weren't reliable. Perhaps I would have to go to a different vet to get a gutteral pouch wash under endoscopy (although this practice is the largest equine practice in the area). The horse is not insured, but that doesn't affect my judgement on the course of action.
 
That's very odd considering all the equipment should be thoroughly cleaned between different horses regardless.

I'd def try a different vet! :)

My local but large referral vet centre had most of our large yard in for gutteral washes after we had Strangles.

You really do need to know as you will be public enemy number 1 if you move on to a livery yard and take Strangles with you!!
 
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