nasal mucous??

[Blitzen]

Hi,

just looking for opinions/ instincts etc.

I had the vet out just now, to check one of my babies (7.5 months)
She had some nasal discharge this morning (white/clear), so I'm not worried just yet, but asked the vet early on, just incase.

He has swabbed it, and stated probally just abit of a sniffle - lungs and airway clear etc, but he would test it incase of strangles!
After hearing that word, I am starting to panic just a tad.

What are the first symptoms of strangles - I know they get thick nasal discharge, and very swollen glands, and other symptoms but how does it intially start/first signs?

She's as lively as a march hare (not depressed or motionless), eating, drinking etc no temp, just the mucous from nose only, and slightly swollen glands (not visible to the normal eye)

He's given me some powders to clear the mucous hopefully (not antibiotics at this stage), but I'm going to be in a panic until I get the swab results early next week!!

[Mehitabel]

i think your vet is being exceedingly overcautious - strangles has lethargy and misery and general 'i've got a cold' symptoms.
our vets always say that white/clear snot is fine, it's only yellow or green that you worry about.

[capalldubh]

I guess it depends on the horse, but my experience of strangles was a miserable horse who didn't step out with her usual enthusiasm, and a few dry coughs. Two days later, the green snotters appeared and she acted as if she had a very sore throat (wouldn't touch dry food, and could only eat dampened food if you held up the bucket for her). As Mehitabel said, it reminded me of when I had a bad cold - you feel a bit "off" first, before you can say for sure you have symptoms.

[Blitzen]

Thanks guys, I'm feeling much better now, and this morning, most of it has disappeared from her nose, and she still looks as bright as a button!

[mikh]

DO NOT PANIC

My mare had the same, I was worried sick kept her in isolation the lot till 3 neg swabs.

First: buy a digital thermometer take temp should be between 99-101oF.
Check temp twice daily anything more than 101 phone vet - apparently temp rise is first sign.

Feed from floor hay etc to aid drainage.
I would deep litter if it is strangles can spread very easily through muck heap only poo pick and put the poo as far back the muck heap as poss. Don't share any eqip and when dealing with others wash hands and change clothes if poss inc disinfecting footwear.

I know it sounds a lot I had to do this for 5-6wks waiting on the 3 neg swabs luckily they were all neg.

Good luck and take care - I know it's a worry! Also if ypu're at a livery yard don't let others get you down you're doing the responsible thing!!

[mikh]

i think your vet is being exceedingly overcautious - strangles has lethargy and misery and general 'i've got a cold' symptoms.
our vets always say that white/clear snot is fine, it's only yellow or green that you worry about.

Please don't think stragles shows all the obvious symptoms it doesn't I have read effectively war and peace on this topic. Some horses are discreet carriers and only display occasional and sometimes no symptoms at all - due to the severity of the disease I'd recommend every precution.