Biosecurity protocols such as observation and screening of newly arriving horses help to prevent the spread of disease. However, vaccination is the best way to combat strangles.
Biosecurity and vaccination as horse protection
Because strangles is classified as a risk-based disease, Dr. Hankins recommends vaccinating your horse if your horse is exposed to unfamiliar horses or travels where strangles is a persistent problem.
Pinnacle® I.N. is the only two-dose, modified-live bacterial vaccine developed to help prevent strangles. Given intranasally, the vaccine helps provide a more natural immune response, stimulating innate and mucosal immunity at the site of natural infection. Additionally, it avoids local injection-site reactions that can occur with parenteral S. equi vaccines. 2
Because strangles is classified as a risk-based disease, Dr. Hankins recommends vaccinating your horse against this costly disease if:
- Your horse travels or is frequently exposed to unfamiliar horses at shows or in a boarding barn
- Your horse is traveling to a location where strangles is a persistent problem
- Your horse is exposed to high pasture stocking densities (two or more horses per acre)
- Your horse is susceptible due to lack of prior vaccination or natural exposure
If your horse meets any of these risk criteria, vaccination with Pinnacle I.N. is recommended. Speak with your veterinarian about your horse’s disease risk and the benefits of vaccination.
About Zoetis
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1 American Association of Equine Practitioners. Strangles (Streptococcus equi). 2008. https://aaep.org/horse-owners/owner-guidelines/owner-vaccination-guidelines/owner-risk-based-vaccination-guidelines. Accessed August 7, 2017.
2 Sweeney CR, Timoney JF, Newton, JR, Hines MT. Streptococcus equi infections in horses: Guidelines for treatment, control, and prevention of strangles. J Vet Intern Med. 2005;19:123-134.