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Thread Nine: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1584833/posts |
Posted on 10/04/2005 9:56:41 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and MissTargets will now be pinging everyone most mornings. Let MissTargets and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
Previous threads:
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - thread ONE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SEVEN
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
Signs Swollen lymph glands that may burst
Pus discharge from nostrils
Typically, horses suffering from strangles have pus discharging from the nostrils and swellings (abscesses) forming in the lymph glands under the jaw. These abscesses often burst and exude a thick yellow pus. Affected horses can have fever, be depressed and may stop eating. Most animals recover, but horses that contract even a mild case of strangles must be isolated and removed from training or heavy work for up to 3 months. In some cases the infection can cause chronic illness or even death.
Epidemiology Strangles is very contagious, especially with foals, spreading easily from horse to horse and often leading to large outbreaks with many horses affected. It is spread in the discharges (pus) from the nose and burst abscesses. Objects such as water troughs, feed buckets, brushes, reins and other equipment, if contaminated with infected pus, can also spread the disease. Recovered horses can spread the disease for up to eight months, even though they can appear clinically healthy and normal.
Immunity In common with other respiratory diseases, such as canine cough and feline respiratory disease, immunity is short lived and incomplete. In fact 25% of horses infected with strangles do not appear to develop immunity. This makes it very difficult for a vaccine to provide complete protection and it is not claimed that the vaccine is an absolute preventative. However, field experience has shown that vaccination can control the disease by reducing the degree of clinical disease and reducing the number of horses affected.
Treatment Penicillin is the antibiotic of choice against S.equi. Abscesses may need to be opened and drained and good supportive care is vital for recovery.
Control It is strongly recommended that all horses be included in a regular program of vaccination. It is particularly important that booster doses be given prior to periods of greater risk of infection, such as the breeding or performance season. Pregnant mares may be vaccinated up to two weeks before foaling.
Consideration should be given to vaccinating high risk horses (eg. brood mares, stallions, performance, pony club, racing and eventing horses) every six months. In the event of an outbreak of strangles, horses should be segregated into three groups and handled as follows:
(a) Those affected by the disease should be treated, but not vaccinated
(b) Horses with no known contact with the disease should be vaccinated immediately
(c) Horses known to have been in contact should be observed for seven to ten days and vaccinated only if they have a normal temperature and show no clinical signs of the disease.
STRANGLES: Questions and Answers Why vaccinate? Vaccination provides the best possible protection against strangles which is the most important infectious disease problem for horses.
Does the vaccine provide 100% protection? Field experience suggests that a full and regular program of vaccination for all horses will usually control or very markedly reduce the incidence and severity of strangles. However it is not claimed that the vaccine is an absolute preventative. Vaccination will reduce the spread in an outbreak with less horses affected by strangles and those that do show signs have a milder disease with shorter recovery and possible protection against spread through the body.
Thus, vaccination has good benefits and is the best protection possible. It should be pointed out that there are other diseases, caused by different organisms, which may be confused with strangles.
Can the vaccine be used during an outbreak? Yes. In the event of an outbreak of strangles, horses should be segregated into three groups, Those affected by the disease should be treated, but not vaccinated. Horses with no known contact with the disease should be vaccinated immediately. Horses known to have been in contact should be observed for seven to ten days and vaccinated only if they have a normal temperature and show no clinical signs of the disease.
Does the vaccine cause reactions? Like a number of other vaccines, Equivac-S or Equivac 2 in 1 can cause some local swelling at the site of the injection, especially if injected subcutaneously and not intramuscularly. Provided the injection has been carried out aseptically, any swelling should disappear in a few days.
What is the vaccination schedule? When horses and foals are vaccinated against strangles for the first time, they require a primary vaccination course consisting of three doses of Equivac-S or Equivac 2 in 1. The three doses are given with an interval of two weeks between injections. Booster doses should be given at least annually and six-monthly revaccination should be considered in circumstances where the risk of infection is known to be high.
What are the signs of strangles? Typically, horses suffering from strangles have pus discharging from the nostrils and swellings (abscesses) forming in the lymph nodes (glands) under the jaw. Most animals recover, but horses that contract even a mild case of strangles must be isolated and removed from training or heavy work for up to 3 months! In some cases the infection can cause chronic illness or even death.
How is the vaccine administered? The vaccine is injected intramuscularly. The most convenient site for injection is the centre of the side of the neck. The needle can be attached to the syringe and then administered to the horse. Alternatively, the needle may be inserted into the muscle and then the syringe attached and the vaccine injected.
http://www.cyberhorse.net.au/csl/strangles.htm
As you can see, there are no good pictures.
Who's this gorgeous baby?
The people that we sold Speed to had purchased a colt from New York also - he just arrived. He's eight months old I believe, mostly all old foundation breeding according to the website on him.
I think I would insist a vet come out and culture it, and prescribe treatment. Strangles doesn't necessarily rupture. And it is very contagious.
It sure wouldn't hurt, would it? I'll get some. How long do you think? I had planned on continuing the sulfa 10 days instead of 7.
I really don't want to risk an abcess or infection in her neck (haha) The rump site is high, right?
Now I am really envious! I love those old wood floors. You just can't replicate the patina that age and use gives them.
Built to last!
How lovely! Spots are just really cool aren't they.
No, we don't have any epinephrine on hand but we are real cautious about what shots we give the horses. Babies all get their first shots from the vet and all sedation other than banamine is by vet. We give the yearly vacs, pen. when necessary, and banamine if necs for colic.
He should grow up to be one great looking horse :) He will sure be loud colored and Speed already likes him.
I was reading 1-2 cc's per 100 lbs. That's minimal 11-12 cc. Would I need to give two? What's the max in a site. We have given 5 before and I thought that was a lot.
Okay, Strangles is distemper, number one. Incubation period is 3-6 days. Inappetence and fever up to 106'F are the first signs. Inflammation nasal discharge, etc. Normal course of the disease is 10-14 days.
Definitive diagnosis depends on identification of S equi, perferably from pus obtained by surgical drainage of mature abscesses. Abscesses that drain naturally are rapidly invaded by S zooepidemicus, which may confuse bacteriological diagnosis. ,p. Complete rest and nursing care. Hot packs over abscesses may speed maturation;; when mature, they should be incised and drained. The use of antimicrobials is controversial, although S equi is sensitive to penicillin, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine. If antibiotic therapy is used, high doses of penicillin (25,000-100,000IU/kg, IV, q.i.d.) for 7-10 days is recommended.
Did any of this make sense?
Cindydawg, I'm just catching up....sorry to hear about your horse. I hope she shows signs of improvement soon.
prayers.
Sharn
Sorry. I checked out. I hadn't got much sleep the night before and fell asleep:') What I meant was that can you give 10 to 12 cc in one site? Ouch.
Thanks. Do you have any inside pictures of your house? Who is restoring it?
I'm working really hard to get out of here too. I have several things going at once so hopfully sooner than later.
I meant to ask you....who is/was that sick horse that you posted a picture of. As you can see, SL alert. I don't know where that green eye came from though:')
Nice looking colt, Duchess.
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