IMMUNITY: In common respiratory disease immunity is short lived and although vaccination for strangles may not prevent horses from contracting the disease it does lessen the overall effect on the horse owner. This is because it can help to reduce the number of horses affected, and decrease the severity of the disease if they do contract strangles. The organism can be shed in the nasal discharge of infected horses for several weeks after clinical signs have disappeared.
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Strangles
STRANGLES OUTBREAK WARNING
There have been several outbreaks of strangles in South East Queensland recently, and although strangles is rarely fatal, it is a highly contagious disease that could cause havoc in the equine industry. This is particularly significant during the breeding season when transfer of horses between properties is at its peak.
CAUSE: A bacterium called Streptococcus Equi
SIGNS: Strangles is an upper respiratory tract infection & signs can include:
- A thick, creamy discharge (pus) from the nostrils
- Elevated temperature
- Enlarged lymph nodes (glands) under the jaw & in the throat area
- Lack of appetite
- Depression / listlessness
- Difficulty breathing / swallowing due to the nasal discharge & swelling in the throat area
- Pneumonia can result if the infection progresses to the lungs causing a large number of abscesses and possible death
The incubation period after contact with an infected horse is from one to three weeks.
VACCINATION SCHEDULE:
Strangles vaccine by itself may be used, or in recent years a combined tetanus / strangles vaccine (Equivac 2 in 1) has been developed that provides immunity for both diseases.
- The primary vaccination involves three intra-muscular injections at two week intervals
- To maintain immunity against strangles a booster vaccination should be given annually for life
FOALS should be given the first of their three vaccinations at three months of age.
BROODMARES should be given a booster vaccination in late July to provide immunity to the newborn foal until it is old enough to be vaccinated.
STALLIONS should also have a booster vaccination before commencing stud duties.
UNVACCINATED ADULT HORSES require three injections at two week intervals.
PREVENTION: Employ best practice bio-security measures AT ALL TIMES.
- Hand washing between handling horses
- Isolate new arrivals from resident horses for at least 14 days
- Keep stables clean and disinfected at all times
- 'Ensure that each horse has its own feed and watering containers
- Do not share tack or grooming equipment
- Obtain information regarding vaccination status of new arrivals
- Use double fencing between paddocks to prevent nose-to-nose contact
TREATMENT: Veterinary treatment should be sought as soon as clinical signs are observed. Swabs may be taken to confirm the diagnosis of strangles if necessary.
- Antibiotic therapy and good nursing are essential to aid in recovery
- Infected horses should be isolated immediately to prevent the spread of the disease
- Horses should NOT be transported unless absolutely necessary to minimize stress.
REMEMBER - VACCINATION IS THE BEST PROTECTION
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HOLD YOUR HORSES - what to expect from mares in early spring
ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING FOR BROOD MARES ADVANTAGES Dry mares will cycle earlier, avoiding the inconvenience of spring oestrus early in the breeding season (spring oestrus is constant cycling without producing a good follicle or ovulating) and anoestrus (small). Both conditions can be difficult and expensive to treat. Wet mares will have their gestation period reduced by about 10 days while still producing a normal size foal. Foaling mares will have their foal heat at about five days, allowing them to be re-cycled earlier and covered at 12-14 days. (However, the natural cleansing period after foaling is affected.) HOW DO WE DO IT? The lighting system must achieve the equivalent of 16 hours of daylight per day. In practical terms this means switching on the lights one hour before dusk and switching them off at midnight. A good system will have the lights on a timer that switches the lights off at midnight and opens a gate to allow the mares back in to their paddocks. Another way to achieve this amount of light (and reduce the electricity cost) is to give one hour of light at 9.5 hours after sunset. To do this, check the weather segment in the daily media (television or newspaper) which will state the time of sunset for the following day. For example – if the sunset is at 5.15pm the lights will need to be turned at 2.45am and off at 3.45am. BUT – for the program to be successful you MUST keep track of the sunset time and adjust the light switch timer accordingly. Longer periods of lighting and/or continuous lighting are expensive and can be counterproductive. THE GOOD NEWS! Previous recommendations have been 7 foot candles (= 70 lux) ** of light at hoof level. Recent research indicates that the amount of light required may not be as much as previously thought - just enough light to illuminate the area will be sufficient and the lights are only required for 35 days from 21 st June. RUGS Rugs will keep the dry mare stress free during the colder months, thereby helping them to cycle earlier. Similarly, rugging will reduce the stress for in foal mares, and may reduce the risk of abortion. They can also be stabled, but DO NOT be tempted to leave the lights on all night, as this will upset the dark / light balance. WHEN TO BEGIN Light “treatment” must be commenced from the 21 st June (the shortest day of the year) and continue until early September. **** One foot candle is a standard measure of intensity of illumination and is the amount of light from one candle in a one foot radius at ground level. In other words, 7 foot candles will allow enough light for your mare to read the racing results. Recent research indicates the amount of light required is not as much as previously thought and the lights can be turned off after thirty-five (35) days. Just enough light to illuminate the area will be sufficient.