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  Discussion on When can stangles horse go back to healthy herd??
Author Message
Member:
walkingd

Posted on Friday, Nov 7, 2008 - 5:05 am:

We have about 30 broodmares on pasture and about 4 of them have young foals. We took 4 mares with 3 colts by their side in about 2 weeks ago to breed and about 5 days later one of the colts was showing signs of strangles. Loaded him and mare up and immediately sent back home. About 2 days later another of this customers mares was showing signs as well so loaded all of this mans horses up and sent home. We have been in horse business for over 20 years and never had strangles on our farm till now. The same day that I sent all of this customers horses home one of mine was showing signs as well. Moved her out into a lot by herself and put on Penn. for 5 days and abcess busted and drained and appears fine now. About 10 days passed and no other horses had come down with it as we were disinfecting before feeding every day. Just as I thought we might be out of the woods another 7 year old mare that had never been off the farm had come down with it. Moved her out into a lot seperate from others where I had put my 1st mare that appears to be recovered. Checking temps of all mares and foals every other day. Foals are running around 101.5 to 102 but no apparent signs otherwise. All 30 mares and foals are on 40 acres and drink from a pond. Was wondering how long after one appears healthy before returning back into the healthy herd. And are foals less than 2 months age more or less prone to catch strangles. Also is Penn. O.k. to give to foals if the do come down with it? None of these have had a strangles vaccine in last 8 years or more. We also have about 16 weaned colts and yearlings in a lot seperated from these healthy mares by about 200 feet and so far they all appear O.K., Not checking their temps as it would be very hard and the possiblity of me or them getting hurt trying to round them up and check temps is a risk I prefer not to have to take.
Member:
cspanhel

Posted on Saturday, Nov 8, 2008 - 10:29 am:

sorry to hear you are dealing with this...quite an ordeal. my vet told me to wait 6 weeks before turning an affected horse back in with the healthy ones. he also told me to vaccinate all unaffected horses (except very young foals). good luck with managing this. cynthia
Member:
erika

Posted on Saturday, Nov 8, 2008 - 8:50 pm:

Yep, I was told to vaccinate the other horses well before bringing the strangles victim back into the bunch. I believe it is possible for them to carry the bacteria after they recover in some cases.
Ugh, such a disgusting and messy disease! My sympathies for you having to deal with this in a big herd. Unfortunately, you're probably not done yet. Check the temps, and read the articles on strangles here.
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