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  Discussion on Stangles transmission
Author Message
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Thursday, Dec 23, 2004 - 1:22 pm:

Hi I work at a barn that rescued some ponyskin foals from slaughter and they arrived with strangles. We quarantined them in a barn away from the rest of the ranch.

We were approaching our 4th week with no new symptoms when a foal in the outside herd came down with strangles, he has never been in the barn or in contact with the quarantined animals. We practice strict hygine at the barn.

Our vet says that strangles can be transmitted for up to 10 miles airborne. Do you know if this is true?

Does this mean the rest of the ranch will get strangles despite our control measures?

Thanks}
New Member:
Anderso

Posted on Thursday, Dec 23, 2004 - 4:56 pm:

Hello, my first time posting. I have been through this nightmare so I feel your pain. It is my understanding that this disease can not be spread through the air. However it can be spread by ones clothing etc such going to one area of the ranch or to another ranch.
I believe the article on Strangles on this site tell you how to break out your horses into three groups until the disease is under control.
I wish you the best.

Ron
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Thursday, Dec 23, 2004 - 5:16 pm:

we also spray everything we touch and ourselves with quanternary. I don't think I spelt that right. Good stuff kills all kinds of cooties.hehe.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Dec 24, 2004 - 10:45 am:

I do not see what might prevent Strep equi from getting on the ground and then the dust being blown or carried by animals, say on the bottom of their paws, for long distances. I have never seen spontaneous cases of strangles so this is not common. The article on strangles also describes a way to short circuit new cases: even if you have lost control you do not have to put up with everyone down for a month.
DrO
Member:
Lccsi

Posted on Friday, Jul 22, 2005 - 11:58 am:

I have a foal coming from Texas to New Jersey in October. She was born in April and the breeder just let me know that she has picked up a case of strangles, she has several puffy spots under her chin with 1 open and draining. Assuming she recovers well, what is the risk of her bringing the infection with her when we ship in October.. I don't think the place I'm bringing her to will be to happy with me if I bring a horse in with strangles. Will I need to isolate her? I know that the farm that she is at has had strangles moving through all the horses and they are slowly getting it under control. Any help would be great.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Friday, Jul 22, 2005 - 12:56 pm:

First, read about strangles under equine diseases. She should be over it by the time she is shipped. If she isn't, the strangles has probably developed into something more serious and imo she shouldn't be shipped until she is well.

Second, any horse, imo, coming into a new barn should be isolated for 10 days to be sure it isn't coming down with something or carrying something into the new barn.
New Member:
Chlobro

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 - 11:02 pm:

My 10yr old horse has been dx w/ strangles on 10/16.s/s were low energy and soft tangerine size swellings of what vet (only horse vet in country) said were submandibular lymph nodes ( R&L bilat behind jawbone) On 10/17 pt had decr. appetite and fever don't know how high, no thermometer. Of course there has been no quarantine of pt in stable of 30 horses because here in Honduras we don't believe in germ theory. On 10/18 pt rec 9,000,000 units PCN IM and some bute, appetite back next day , does not appear febrile, vet then gave shot of gent and wants to repeat x3 because he did not like results w/ PCN I' m a little worried because gent does not cover strep right? There is no drainage from nose ,eyes were runny but now ok, no SOB, eating ok, Swollen nodes feel firmer and are slightly smaller This is our 1st horse so we don't know a lot. what do you think ? Holly
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 - 6:36 am:

Hello Holly,
We explain the proper treatment of Strangles in the article on Strangles holly and it does appear that this veterinarian does not get it, see Equine Diseases » Respiratory System » Strangles & Streptococcus equi for more on this. If after reading the article you still have questions be sure to start a new discussion rather than posting at the bottom of Cheryl's discussion.
DrO
Member:
Angel77

Posted on Friday, Oct 21, 2005 - 1:56 am:

Dear Holly,

What state are you in? A couple of years ago we had a strangles epidemic that lowered the number of horses competing at the Turkey show at Earl Warren Show grounds in California by 250 horses.

Dr.O can a horse still catch strangles if they have been vaccinated properly??

WTG
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Friday, Oct 21, 2005 - 3:16 am:

WTG, the strangles "vaccine" is no guarantee against strep equii. As I understand it, the "vaccine" may reduce the severity of the symptoms if the horse contracts strangles, but doesn't eliminate the chance of manifesting the illness.
Dr. O., I am not in the habit of vaccinating against strangles, and had horses for 26 years in Vermont without ever vaccinating them against it. Here in CA and in KS where I've just moved my horses, the vets recommend it. Since the "vaccine" isn't a true vaccine, is it advisable to skip it and take my chances . . . and if my horses contract strangles, just treat it early or let it run its course?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 21, 2005 - 7:11 am:

I am not sure what you means by not a true vaccine Holly. There are several different types of vaccine available but each represents a true vaccination. If you mean the efficacy is not 100% or that there are more complications with this than most others, that is true.

The latest information on the efficacy of each, potential complications, specific recommendations for vaccination, and treatment recommendations are all explained in the article, Equine Diseases » Respiratory System » Strangles & Streptococcus equi.
DrO
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Friday, Oct 21, 2005 - 11:06 am:

Yes, Dr. O., I guess that is what I mean. I was reading the wrong meaning into the word "vaccine." When folks say or think "vaccination," it seems that we are under the impression that if we or our animals are vaccinated against a sickness that it is an insurance that we/they won't contract the illness. For example, the small pox vaccine of which I was a receiver.
With the strangles vaccine, it seems I've lately heard many horse owners state that they don't have to worry about strangles because they've gotten their horses vaccinated against it, and I believe it is a common misconception. I think many of us were conditioned to think that "vaccination" is synonymous with "total immunity."
Member:
Angel77

Posted on Friday, Oct 28, 2005 - 4:10 am:

Dear Hollywood,

I too am not sure what you mean by not a true vaccine. Yes I do know there is never any insurance that an animal vaccine would give total immunity. I believe vaccinating at the very least gives them a fighting chance. A head start if you will. Preventative maintenance.

Dr.O I guess the better question would be, between two horses, one vaccinated the other not vaccinated. Which horse would have a better chance of not becoming infected with strangles?

Apparently I need to qualify my question more cohesively.

Thank you,

WTG
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 28, 2005 - 7:26 am:

Perhaps the best question of all is, "will my horse be healthier if I give this vaccine or if I don't?" The answer to both this and your question are in the article Equine Diseases » Respiratory System » Strangles & Streptococcus equi.
DrO
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Friday, Oct 28, 2005 - 11:49 am:

WTG,

Dr. O. was trying to clarify my inaccurate definition regarding "vaccine." "Vaccine" is not synonymous with "immunity," and most folks with whom I've communicated seem to think that if they vaccinate their horses against Strangles that their horses won't get the disease. Dr. O. pointed out that the Strangles vaccine is still a vaccine even though it doesn't guarantee immunity.

I was raised during an era when it seems that "to vaccinate" meant we were "making immune," and I think there are many people who still carry that common misconception about the Strangles vaccine.

Apparently, the streptoccus equi germ has similar manifestations in horses as strep has in people . . . some people never seem to get strep throat, and other people get it at least once a year. Individuals, people and horses, react differently to the germ.
New Member:
Wthrail

Posted on Monday, Oct 31, 2005 - 11:08 am:

There has been an outbreak of strangles locally. I live in a very densely populated horse area. Lots of shows, polo, fox hunting, racing you name it. I contacted my vet (and they have been receiving calls about it) and my horses have not had the vacine-I have scheduled him to come out and give it to them. Now I am questioning my decision? Two of my horses do leave the property-one does not and he is already compromised with COPD. I am not sure what to do.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 1, 2005 - 6:44 am:

Wendy reviewing the article associated with this discussion should give you the information you need to decide and there are further recommendaions at Care for Horses » Vaccines & Coggin's Test » Vaccine Schedules. If you have any questions after reading it you should post them in a new discussion.
DrO
New Member:
Wthrail

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 1, 2005 - 12:31 pm:

Thank you. My vet advises the vacine. The concern is that the virus can still live and be transmitted long after you think it is gone. Hence it is better to be safe than sorry. Which is how it got transmitted around here to start with. Horse was showing no more symptoms and had contact with other horses.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 2, 2005 - 8:39 am:

I believe that vaccinated horses are a primary means by which it gets transferred around wendy. Since the vaccine does not prevent infection and shedding but may reduce severity of clinical signs, vaccinated horses are more likely to distribute the disease unknowingly than are unvaccinated horses that are usually readily identified as being sick. Yes chronic shedding does occur but is not common and I am uncertain vaccination prevents it.
DrO
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