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  Discussion on How long before symtoms is strangles contagious?
Author Message
Member:
Cfulmer

Posted on Friday, Oct 8, 2004 - 9:00 pm:

Hi Dr.O! I read all the articles etc, but couldn't find an answer to that.

Here is the situation... I am a trainer, and I am working at a farm with a couple of foals twice a week. I was there on Tuesday. Yesterday the girl who wors there called to tell me her horses (at her house, not where I work) were coming down with strangles. Today (Friday) I was again back to the farm with the foals, and they both have swelling under the jaw, are lethargic and one has a bit of nasel discharge. They both have a temp of 102.0.

I have horses of my own, and travel to other barns, etc. I have taken the precaution of showering, changing all my clothes etc. after leaving there today, but do you think I may have already carried it home to my horses? (there are two pregnant mares and some young stock at my house) (I had no other clients on tuesday after I was there)

And should I wait 30 days after they are well to continue the training?

You'd better believe that I am going to up my biosecurity after this!
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Saturday, Oct 9, 2004 - 9:48 am:

I firmly believe a person can pass this crap around and the biggest culprit is the FARRIER. I have had them come and while they are shoeing/trimming mention that so and so has snotty horses all over the place and they were just there. I HATE that. All horses sniff the farrier as they work so you know he/she is passing the crap around. If I have something going on at one place on our farm, I make a point of feeding or treating there last and then wash up and change clothes and shoes. EO
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Oct 9, 2004 - 1:19 pm:

I think it is possible you carried it home. While viral diseases are often shedding before there are clear signs of disease, bacterial diseases, like strangles, usually are infectious when clinical signs appear. The question is were there early clinical signs on Tuesday that were missed. I do recommend you vaccinate or pretreat your horses, just watch very closely and be ready to treat if it happens.
DrO
Member:
Cfulmer

Posted on Saturday, Oct 9, 2004 - 7:09 pm:

Dr. O- Thanks for the response. I am a bit confused by your last sentence. While it says "I do recommend" The last half makes it sound as if you ment to say "I don't recommend pre-treatment" The computer is so great for communication and yet so bad... Thanks for the clairification, and all the help!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Oct 10, 2004 - 10:15 am:

Exactly DrOp a few letters and it means the opposite: I DON'T recommend pretreatment or vaccination. Thank you for double checking.
DrO
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Monday, Oct 11, 2004 - 12:45 am:

Dr.O, I have a dilemma. We are sending some horses to the track in a week or so. There was a pony horse at the track that came down with strangles. It has been removed and apparently they are dealing with the farm it came from.
Should I vaccinate those horses that are going down there? The trainer told one of his clients who has a 2 yo there that he was going to vaccinate all of his horses in his barn just in case. Have no idea as to whether any of them had come into contact with the infected horse. We have had snotty noses and abscesses in the past with yearlings, though we haven't had any in a few years. I was told once that it will pop up every few years when anything that had not been exposed before is exposed to it. The last bout with it was brought in by a farrier. That was about 7 or 8 years ago so of course none of these horses would have been exposed. 2 of these horses are 2 yos who have never been to the race track. Two others are 3 and 4 years old respectively and have been to the track in the past. What is you advice? EO
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 11, 2004 - 7:30 am:

Hello LKR,
Not knowing the particulars I really cannot say. I would contact the veterinarian who does the track barn and ask what he thinks the risks are from this pony. It is important to realize you will not be protected until following the booster one month after the primary vaccination.
DrO
New Member:
Bslidin

Posted on Saturday, Sep 2, 2006 - 1:38 pm:

Not sure if this is the place for this post but here goes. Dr. O, I have a three month old colt that has had pronounced swelling under the jaw. I am familiar with strangles however this colt has no fever, nasal discharge, etc.. He is eating, plays and seems healthy. He has had this swelling now for almost a month. Initially my vet had dismissed it as long as he was showing no other signs but I am beginning to get concerned as it is not normal. Can you advise?
Thanks
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