Strangles

Information on Strangles

Strangles is one of the most important contagious equine diseases worldwide. Some horses can outwardly show no symptoms yet still carry the disease and spread it to other horses. Currently these carrier horses can be very difficult to identify.

Unfortunately amongst some horse owners there is still a stigma about admitting their horse has strangles, which hinders both quick diagnosis and effective control of the spread of the disease.

New research is underway with the aim of improving the diagnosis and treatment of strangles, but in the meantime our best weapon is isolation and first class hygiene procedures to prevent the spread of the disease.

The STEPS Code
This voluntary code was launched at the start of Strangles Awareness week in 2007. It sets out the steps all horse owners should take to avoid the spread of strangles.

You can download a copy of the STEPS Code here.

Strangle Vaccine

Intervet Schering-Plough have re-launched the strangles vaccine Equilis strepE.

The vaccine was pulled from use a few years ago when the efficacy dropped below what the company considered adequate. There was no safety issue with the vaccine. The re-launched vaccine has the same protocol i.e 2 vaccines 4 weeks apart and then booster vaccines every 3 to 6 months depending on the degree of risk to the individual horse. Foals can be done from 4 months. The vaccine is a low volume dose given inside the upper lip. Occasional local reactions are seen.

Isolated individuals or horses in small groups with little or no chance of meeting animals of unknown history are unlikely to need vaccinating. However owners of horses in larger yards or those frequently travelling and staying away should consider vaccination.

Good practice for yards would be a 21 day isolation policy with a blood sample towards the end of the quarantine period as a minimum precaution against introducing a case or a carrier.
Ask your vet for more information.

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