Argh, strangles!

[alwaysfallingof]

I've just found out that there's been a big strangles outbreak (15+ cases) at a yard that's fairly near where I want to take Maxi. Although its in isolation, and is not THAT close, it is within hacking distance of the yard I'm going to go to.
Since I don't know for certain that all the horses from the infected yard haven't been out, and that horses can carry strangles without showing symptoms, should I wait till after all the cases have stopped occuring before moving him?

[pandapotato]

The only thing I can say is: Better safe then sorry. I've not experienced strangles (thankfully!) but I know that if i took my horse to a barn that I was worried bout, then he got it, I would forevor be asking myself why in the world I had to be so impatient when I knew there was a possible problem.

Isn't there a strangles vaccine, or am I mistaken? How long is the incubation period for Strangles? I'd say if you can wait 30 days while those horses are in quarentine and no other horses get strangles, then it has been safely isolated. Ask a vet how long it takes for strangles to become evident after exposure. Then wait that long before moving your horse.

[Fluff3334]

Not certain but I think the incubation period is 16 days. So in theory you could move there safely 16 days after the last case (of course you probably wouldn't know when that was so probably not much help!).

:rolleyes:

[Kady A]

Contact your vet for advice - the strangles virus is airborne. We have an equine vet clinic at our EC and I recently met a horse who has recovered from strangles. He caught it from horses in an adjacent field. His owners have been to hell and back dealing with it. Its also worth contacting your vet to find out whether the outbreak is for real or just rumour. It was rumoured not so long ago that our EC was infected ... it wasn't, but it didn't stop the rather nasty rumour affecting us.

[alwaysfallingof]

Hmmm...I think that contacting the vet's a good idea. I can't believe the timing though, it's such a pain.
Maybe they would be able to give me some advice about whether its safe to move him.
You're all right though, I really don't want to take any risks, especially not like a disease like strangles. :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Gill]

Personally I would be extremely cautious and would not go anywhere near strangles if at all possible.

My daughter lost her beautiful Highland to a rare complication of strangles. He was PTS in his prime, a big strapping, previously healthy boy. That was in the Gloucester area last year. They don't all make it.