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  Discussion on Possible Strangles Vaccine can Cause Abscess?
Author Message
New Member:
Lkshaw1

Posted on Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 - 10:49 pm:

I have a five year old that in June 2002 he had a case of strangles and in early August 2002 he developed an odd swelling on his face. The swelling is located along the side of the nasal passage way about the length up from the nostril that the strangles vaccine "tube" would end. We had the university scope and xray in fall of 2002 and they didn't have a clue. They said to just watch it. Over the past 1 1/2 years it has grown larger on occasion then burst and drain out the one nostril with yellow and green discharge. The swelling would decrease but never would go away. We had another vet group look at him and they also were clueless and didn't offer any recommendations. We had the equine dentist look at him a month ago and he didn't think it was tooth related but said pain was definitely involved due to the wear pattern of the teeth. We also had additional x rays taken and again, nothing shows. We are unaware of any trauma to the area or foreign object and I am wondering if it could be a case of bastard strangles. I had the vet come out a few weeks ago and take blood for a s.equi serology test and it came back as moderate positive of 1:1600. However, he had been vaccinated for strangles 9 days prior. I also need to note that I decided to put him on antibiotics one month ago and he is still on them and the swelling is finally decreasing but I am not sure if this is the right medication for him. Also none of the vets recommended taking a culture when the abscess blows. Is it possible that when this horse was given the strangles intranasal vaccine in February 2002 that the tube damaged the tissue and an abscess formed? Our current vet wants to scope him again but the abscess isn't draining and I feel this would just put the horse through more testing for naught, especially since the swelling is the least it has been in 1 1/2 years with being on the antibiotics. Any thoughts?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Mar 19, 2004 - 7:45 am:

I don't think the time frame supports the vaccine related reaction idea. If the antibiotics are working I would continue them. If they quit working I would have the contents cultured and more specific antibiotic therapy instituted. If that fails you will need to have the area excised surgically.
DrO
Member:
Lkshaw1

Posted on Friday, Mar 19, 2004 - 8:50 am:

Due to the area of the swelling and the bone involved, all the different vets that have seen him don't feel it's in the horse's best interest to either culture the abscess or to excise surgically. I suggested culturing the nasal drainage when the abscess blows again and the latest vet agreed.

Since the swelling appeared on his face a month after he had strangles, is it possible that the abscess could be bastard strangles?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Mar 20, 2004 - 7:42 am:

It is possible, but an odd area for it leslie.
DrO
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