Strangles in horses! (Rhino)?
Moderators: C_arola, Coby, Nicole288, Dyonne
Pagina 1 van de 1
- DiamondCheckers
- Berichten: 1724
- Geregistreerd: 22-03-02
- Woonplaats: Thief River Falls, Minnesota, USA
Strangles in horses! (Rhino)?
Geplaatst door de TopicStarter : 25-03-02 04:58
Strangles is the most important infectious disease affecting horses. It is caused by a bacterium, Streptococcus equi.
Signs of Strangles
Typically, horses suffering from Strangles have pus discharging from the nostrils and swellings (absecesses) froming in the lymph glands under the jaw. These abscesses often burst and exude a thick yellow pus. Affected horses can have fever, be depressed and may stop eating.
http://www.endoria.net/upload/?bekijk=2213029854
Epidemiology
Strangles is very contagious, especially with foals, spreading easily from horses to horse and often leading to large outbreaks with many horses affected. It is spread in the discharge (pus) from the nose and burst abscesses. Objects such as water troughts, feed buckets, brushes, reins and other equipment, if contaminated with infected pus, can also spread the disease. Recovered horses can spread the disease up for up to eight months, even though they appear clinically healthy and normal.
Immunity
In common with other respiratory diseases, such as canine cough or feline respiratory disease, immunity is short lived and incomplete. In fact 25% of horses infected with strangles do not appear to develop immunity. This makes it very difficult for a vaccine to provide complete protection and it is not claimed that the vaccine is an absolute preventative. However, field experience has shown that vaccination can control the disease by reducing the degree of clinical disease adn reducing the number of horses affected.
Treatment
Penicillin is the antibiotic against S.equi. Abscesses may need to be opened and drained and good supportive care is vital for recovery.
Control
It is strongly rcommended that all horses be included in a regular program of vaccination. It is particularly important that booster doses be given prior to periods of greater risk of infection, such as the breeding or performance season. Pregnant mares may be vaccinated up to two week before foaling.
Considering should be given to vaccinating high risk horses (eg. brood mares, stallions, performance, pony club, racing and eventing horses) every six months. In the event of an outbreak of strangles, horses should be segregated into three groups and handled as follow:
(a) Those affected by the disease should be treated, but not vaccinated.
(b) Horses with no known contact with the disease should be vaccinated immediately.
(c) Horses know to have been in contact should be observed for seven to ten days and vaccinated only if they have a normal temperature and show no clinical signs of the disease.
Strangles happens a lot in the area where I live. I have seen many young horses die from it. Pretty sad! So please, protect your horse!
Diamond Checkers
Pagina 1 van de 1